VA Secretary Doug Collins released a video from his office today addressing misinformation circulating about Veterans’ benefits and VA health care. In a direct and candid message, Collins refuted several rumors he described as “whoppers.”
Collins began by reaffirming VA’s commitment to prioritizing Veterans.
“We’re putting Veterans number one back at the VA,” he said. He acknowledged that changes can generate friction, but emphasized that these reforms are aimed at strengthening VA services for Veterans.
Among the rumors he challenged was the claim that VA health care would suffer. Collins categorically denied this, stating that the department has reinforced health care and benefits by safeguarding 300,000 mission-critical positions to ensure uninterrupted services.
Another rumor he addressed was that Veterans’ benefits were being cut.
“They’re not,” he said, explaining that VA had redirected nearly $98 million toward Veterans’ care and services rather than reducing them.
Finally, Collins addressed the rumor that VA was laying off Veterans Crisis Line responders.
“We did not lay off any Veteran Crisis Line responders,” he stated firmly, assuring that those answering crisis calls remain in place to support Veterans in need.
Collins concluded by urging Veterans to seek information directly from VA rather than relying on misinformation circulating in political discourse. “When you want the truth, come to me, not the Whopper line up on Capitol Hill.”
Veterans are encouraged to visit news.va.gov or contact their local VA offices.
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VA and the Veterans Day National Committee (VDNC) invites cities, towns, and non-profit groups across the country to join us in showing appreciation for Veterans by applying to hold VA-recognized regional Veterans Day observances.
VA and the Veterans Day National Committee are now accepting entries for the 2025 Veterans Day Poster Contest. Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on May 2, 2025.
Secretary Doug Collins announces VA’s shift to in-person work, ensuring a smooth transition while prioritizing service to Veterans.
Doug Collins is sucking Trump’s dick and he can fuk the fuk off because they are fuking with people…. my dad cannot renew his subscriptions through the VA now because everything is fukd up so Doug Collins while you continue to sit there and twiddle Trump’s balls stick your nose in his ass crack and breathe
real deep and suck his fukin cock…veterans are losing their lives…
I hope they find yours soon
I kinda believed him until he started spewing Trump propaganda. That’s when I knew it was all bullshit. Trump despises veterans. He has said so himself. After hearing this, I’m more worried than ever.
I suspect this “Comment” board is being invaded by far-left-wacos that are not happy with the election or maybe they are just to dense to understand what is being done to save our country. Anyway, thank you for setting the record straight. I am looking forward to doing my part in helping to Make America Great Again.
Mr. Secretary,
I thank you for your service.
I am an attorney with some involvement with 2 Camp LeJeune claimants.
Kindly address the snails pace of the VA resolving the claims.
Good informative video from Secretary Collin’s, and I’ll Trust him until we can prove a lie has been told. Until, I support their efforts on Fraud, Waste and abuse. In the end, it just might mean an increase of benefits for Veterans. Pray for it !
You are just a talking head for the new regime and you are twisting facts in this statement.
I am sorry, but I don’t believe you. As the CR has shown, VA benefits are being removed. You serve Trump, not the Veterans. Trump and his republican cult followers do not care about Veterans, as anyone who has listened to Trump can tell you. The removal of anything to do with BIPOC from federal agencies websites, Including the VA, shows how little this administration cares about veterans who are not white.
As a woman veteran, I am especially scared of what the next step is after the erasure of BIPOC/women from Army, Navy and other branches websites. Will my service be removed? Will I lose my disability because I am considered to be a DEI hire? Will my contributions to my country be null and void because I am not a male? With this administration, anything seems to be possible if it suits their ideology.
To be candid, the Trump administration is White Washing history and that seems to include any reference to the sacrifices and service of those who don’t fit the image that is apparently the “superior” race (i.e. white, cis-gender men).
I cannot believe anyone who supports Trump to be an honest broker. Sorry – not sorry.
Collins is full of shit. President heel spurs doesn’t care about vets. He called McCain a loser. This country is going to hell-I would move to Canada but I’m 77 and just too tired.
Proud of my late air force husband and father and navy father in law.
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Thanks for the update. Not knowing is a burden but knowing is a blessing.
What about now? Still saying this? Crisis hotline still intact? Hiring freeze still in place? In general – veterans aren’t being impacted? What a disgrace you are.
There are 9 million veterans in the United States who voluntarily served and took an oath to the constitution, volunteered their lives for the nation. They continue to live, service before self, integrity, always faithful to our nation and its people. Cutting the budget and personnel at the VA is going to make 9million people and their friends, families and patriotic supporters very unhappy. That’s ALOT of votes ?️ in the military, all differences were put aside when we needed to have each other’s backs. That’s why we still return to recover our dead to bring them home with honor from WWI/WWII to Vietnam and Korea to OIF/OEF. No veteran left behind – ever. The VA budget and personnel should be increased and that should be the only change made – the only question the administration should be asking is how can we do more to support our veterans.
Spin, hyperbole and deception: How Trump claimed credit for an Obama veterans achievement!!
For 28 years Ive put veterans ahead of myself. Sacrificed everything I had to
be in DC decade after decade. Watching things get worse. Been so very hard.
Cost me everything I had. Could have paid off a home many times over by
now on what it cost me. Never giving up. Hard damn life.
But, Ive never seen any Sec of VA do more damage in the first 30 days as Ive
seen you do here. Slash and burn is enough? What do we know?
You never even gave vets like me a chance while I wrote you. Im not even worth
a proper letter response. Insult is all you have. You didnt do better without me.
I have experience, decades of it. VA federal advisory committee as well.
Guess what, insults are all you will get from here out. Be paranoid about that.
Rumors? Seems like the rumors are right since we cant expect hard facts from
you or any admission of them. Leave everyone guessing, only job safe is your
own.
Too late to fix any of that.
Im looking forward to the Senate hearing that removes you from office. It wont
be far off. 2 years after that, no one will give you the time of day including Trump.
Your a unremarkable person, undeserving of the position you filled. Your not
even a good villain, your a mediocre person bluffing people. Boy do those people
find there not even welcome on LinkedIn.
Just resign, and find yourself a nice 7-11 job out of veterans view. You had your
chance, and the longer you delay the worse it gets when you do resign.
The level of incompetence and corruption at the bloated VA is unsustainable. There are 473,000 employees so laying off 15% of non-essential staff is a start. The Electronic Forms project cost $10 billion and is only implemented at 6 of 71 facilities. Making employees work in-person not remotely. Ending racist DEI program spending. All of them are common sense business practices that need to be properly managed. It’s only been 60 days you can’t pass judgement yet.
If this administration is talking, they are telling lies. Why should anyone in their right mind believe a single word you say?
I think that at the moment you have no idea of what’s coming your way. I hear you but don’t believe you….your boss Elon Musk is coming to you soon. When this happens the veterans past and current will stand up and resist
Thank you for clearing this up.
You keep telling us that benefits and critical staff are not being cut, but who are you cutting and where are you cutting. Somethings are going to be reduced, so please lay out your plan and the impact to us Veterans.
Thank you
When the so-called Commander-in- Chief calls individuals in the military “LOSERS AND SUCKERS” you can bet he is NOT, and I repeat NOT a fan of anyone in the Military. So why should or would we believe, he’d do ANYTHING for the Veterans????
I know a lie when I see one. Take this chaplain out back and explain to him what real veterans think of him. We don’t need cult fealty to a king in our VA. Go fuck yourself you buddy fragger. This guy touched the military through the only “job” in uniform that shouldn’t exist. I’ve got news for you, two cults isn’t better than none.
WOW, Thank you for this very informative video. It answered every question that this retired Marine Vet had. Question, is there any way to remove that BK Whopper stand from Capital Hill. All that thing is doing is causing miss information, confusion and heartaches. Thank you again for this update and I will look forward for more positive things from this new and improve VA with the Patriot, President Trumps seal of approval. Semper Fi!
Keep following the cult. jarhead. We’re all soo very proud of you.
Semper fi in this instance means always faithful to a cult.
I’m so very sorry this is so true.
Are you serious or are
you being sarcastic?
It is hard to tell sometimes.
Veterans deserve a leader with backbone, not someone who merely toes the political line. When will he find his own center and truly advocate for those he claims to serve?
These people dont have “centers”. That’s literally the entire prob in a nutshell. If you think a “man of god” should talk down to other people, follow a rapist cult leader, and call another man daddy. I’d say you’ve been perverted a touch. Men and women who trade thier values for perceived comfort are exactly the opposite of what we should all want in a soldier, doubly for those who lead them.
You fired 26 support employees from the veterans crisis line. You say no “responder” has been fired, but you fired their support staff. All 26 were rehired only after the press and senator Duckworth pressured you on it. Don’t use VCL as a token talking point when you blindly cut it like you did everywhere else, claiming that support staff are waste. VA needs more support staff, that’s why veteran care suffers. VA hasn’t been able to fill its clinical vacancies for years because no one wants to work in a place that has no support. To “protect” vacant, abused, and unwanted clinical positions while firing their support staff is a cheap ruse and a double cut to Veteran care. All so that you can suck the president’s dick and usher in the ACCESS act for your corporate cronies to empty the VA coffers even further and reduce the VA to a federal insurance provider. There’s a reason the VA was made, because Veterans health is not best served by community providers who know nothing about military exposure. When you’re done sucking why don’t you bend over for him too.
This is ridiculous. Why do you find it necessary to disparage any predecessor? What good does that do? “Motion causes friction”. Maybe you could expound on that and address what is being cut or even looked at? If you were searching for waste, you’d be using auditors and inspectors general. This is not what is being done.
I don’t believe anything from the failing Democrat news source
Why does anyone who does not watch the biased Republican news source, like Fox news, as Democrat new sources? I am not a democrat, but I find Fox news as inaccurate. Besides, Fox news consider themselves as an entertainment service rather than an “accredited news station” in the courts regarding lawsuits against Fox news.
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40% of the population trust Fox news, 40% distrust Fox news. The population or people following Fox news is nearly the population of the Republicans. Independents and Democrats prefer other news sources.
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Other new sources are more unbiased than Fox news, and are not Democrat news.
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What do you consider as unbiased news often watched, and not the entertainment Fox service?
and the funny thing about this is that ONLY Faux entertainment channel had to pay out 787 million dollars for lies and defamation.
Do you believe mouth breathing talk radio with gems like Buck Sexton, Dana Loesch, nutcase Wendy Bell, Dan Mangina and the list goes on. Keep your stupid comments off of here.
Now I hear that the funding going forward will be at levels prior to the Pact Act. I also hear on the news that Republicans want to repeal the Pact act altogether. Is that true?
Thank you for the update. It’s very important to Veterans to hear direct from the VA. The news is so biased and untruthful. I find it difficult to
believe what I hear any more. We need to continue helping our true hero’s. For years men and woman have joined our Military Service to protect our country. They have been treated disrespectfully and believe under paid for their service. Even family members that are left at home while our service men and woman fight to protect us, are not always treated well. They deserve our respect. We still have to many Veterans that are homeless and struggling to get over issues causes by serving our country. I am proud to be a wife of a dedicated Marine who served and retired. Thank you again for letting people know the true facts.
Why at 30% disability do they take it out of my retirement that I get for 20 years service and put the taxes back on it and then put it back into my retirement check and say that is my payment or 30%, so it’s like I’m paying myself for my disability.
I watched your interview with Maria Bartiromo this morning on Fox.
My experience with the VA is very good and has been for the last 30+ years.
I would rather visit my primary doctor at the VA than the one on the big list from Medicare
My primary care takes time to discuss my issues and I feel confident of the diagnosis and service
Thank you for the reassurance that you are in control of the situation.
Of course Jethro appears on Fox, it’s friendly and he does not have to answer for his or that joke of an administration’s BS. He’s another bootlicker and is completely in lockstep with DJT and that illegal immigrant Iranian terrorist Musk.
“President Donald Trump claimed to receive a 2016 award from military veterans that didn’t exist and falsely denigrated the record of the late Republican Sen. John McCain on veterans affairs”.
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https://apnews.com/article/john-mccain-ap-fact-check-joe-biden-veterans-veterans-affairs-f322b3774b773cc29a527bc6f9b204ad
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“John Kelly confirms Trump privately disparaged U.S. service members and veterans
Trump called fallen soldiers “suckers” and “losers” during his presidency, according to a 2020 report in The Atlantic.”
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https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/john-kelly-confirms-trump-privately-disparaged-us-service-members-vete-rcna118543
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“Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are ‘Losers’ and ‘Suckers’”
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https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/09/trump-americans-who-died-at-war-are-losers-and-suckers/615997/
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“the Trump White House and outside groups to use VA Secretary David Shulkin’s travel scandal as an excuse to replace him because he opposes privatizing the VA health system.”
https://democracyforward.org/work/uncovering-why-trump-fired-va-secretary-david-shulkin/
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“Former VA secretary details dysfunction, chaos within the Trump administration”
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“amid the ongoing House impeachment investigation into Trump, has already drawn attention for Shulkin’s revelations that top administration officials considered closing down some poor-performing VA facilities and for Shulkin’s own account of his surprise nomination to the top VA post.”
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“I was pushed out of VA because of a partisan desire to get rid of me and any other obstacle standing in the way of privatizing VA.”
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https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/10/17/former-va-secretary-details-dysfunction-chaos-within-the-trump-administration/
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“Donald Trump, serving as the 45th president of the United States, was impeached for the second time on January 13, 2021, one week before his term expired. On that date, the House of Representatives adopted one article of impeachment against Trump: incitement of insurrection.”
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_impeachment_of_Donald_Trump#:~:text=Donald%20Trump%2C%20serving%20as%20the,against%20Trump%3A%20incitement%20of%20insurrection.
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“First impeachment of Donald Trump, the 2019 impeachment on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress”
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeachment_of_Donald_Trump
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“Using the powers of his high office, President Trump solicited the interference of a foreign government, Ukraine, in the 2020 United States Presidential election. He did so through a scheme or course of conduct that included soliciting the Government of Ukraine to publicly announce investigations that would benefit his reelection, harm the election prospects of a political opponent, and influence the 2020 United States Presidential election to his advantage.”
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https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hres755/BILLS-116hres755enr.pdf
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“Trump found guilty on 34 felony counts in NY hush money trial”
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“First criminal trial of a former U.S. president”
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“Jurors in New York state court on Thursday found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn star ultimately to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.”
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“Trump now faces penalties ranging from probation to up to four years in prison for each charge of falsifying business records in the first degree.”
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https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/05/30/breaking-trump-found-guilty-on-34-felony-counts-in-ny-hush-money-trial/
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Mr. Collins, do you too want to privatize DVA too?
I do not believe you and you are nothing but a spur heal, draft dodging stooge. How to you terminate 72,000 VA workers to make it better for the veterans.
How does firing veterans from the DVA “make it better for the veterans”? I think the fire veterans would not agree with Mr. Collins, especially the Disabled veterans.
And they can sue as well! Collins should be more supportive of employees especially vets. Kick the non-vets out of DVA first if you have to do cuts. Less chance for recourse
Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) said it is possible that the Republicans’ budget proposal will cut veterans’ care and benefits.
Last week, the House narrowly passed the spending blueprint 217-215. If enacted into law, the measure will cut $4.5 trillion in taxes and $1.5 trillion in spending over the next 10 years. The measure comes as President Donald Trump and White House adviser Elon Musk have made sweeping cuts to staff at several departments in the name of “efficiency.” Among the jobs cut were more than 1,400 employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
On Monday’s CNN News Central, Brianna Keilar asked Murphy, who serves on the Veterans Affairs Committee, if he has heard from voters regarding the cuts. The lawmaker responded by saying the department had “over-hired”
“Again, the word that we’re finding, really, in the lexicon today is ‘accountability,’” he said. “And we really need to get the nation’s finances under control. Everybody is, of course, up in arms because they don’t want their issue or their particular agency dealt with. But this is a national emergency to try to get our finances under control.”
Keilar pressed her guest on whether he has heard from constituents over the issue, and Murphy said he had. The host then asked whether benefits would be cut for veterans.
I am a Vietnam veteran, and a friend of mine, who is a democrat, sent me a poster today that’s announcing they’re going to have a demonstration at our County courthouse on Friday at noon protesting project 2025 and taking benefits away from veterans. So I had to research that and I’m glad I did because I found this website that denounced those rumors.
i have been trying to get my civilian doctor to be set up as my VA provider for a while and here are my reasons:
1 he has been a certified Dr for 30 years and my Dr for 13 years. he has a waiting list for patients.
2 i have had 6 VA Drs in 12 years and 1 civilian DR in 13 years
3 if the Va starts letting us use civilian DRs (of course they should be verified to be good doctors and not prescription writers or scammers) it would mean the VA would not need to employ as many DRs.
4 and final My first 2 and current VA Drs Send/Sent me prescriptions that i know nothing about. meaning they did not tell me they were going to send them. my first 2 sent me pain pills and muscle relaxers and my current has send me vitamins and pain ointments which is better, but i should be told about recommended meds so i can have input. my civilian Doctor has never sent me anything he did not 100% agree was needed and that he had not explained to me why i needed it.
I appreciate the openness and direct response to scaremongering. As a veteran, I have experienced disrespect by those holding a position in the VA for a paycheck without truly caring about the individuals they were there to support. So thank you for looking out for us!
Marilyn T Henderson
TSgt, USAF (Ret.)
Doug Collins, back in action, hasn’t skipped a beat with his condescending dear leader jive.
I am just not buying this.
I am a DAV Chapter Commander and a DAV CSO. There is some understandable concern being expressed by staff at our VA facilities. Change is always concerning and certainly, disabled vets don’t want to see the physicians and staff we rely on for our health and welfare adversely impacted. But rumors don’t help, they hurt. I work with hundreds of disabled vets and family members of disabled vets. These folks have been through enough and don’t need to live in fear that their lives are about to change. I appreciate that the Secretary has addressed these rumors. I addressed them with membership at our monthly meeting last week. If any vet experiences a problem they should address it immediately with a Patient Advocate or, if necessary, the VA’s IG Office. You should also inform leadership of the veteran groups you support through your membership. Organizations like the DAV, American Legion, VFW etc. exist to serve and protect veterans through advocacy and representation. Trust me, if things start to impact on vets, we are going to speak up. Until then, we should support leadership as they tackle the tough assignment of providing uninterrupted service to vets and their families while also identifying and eliminating waste and bad staff.
The VA IG was fired by Trump. There is no hope for discussing concerns to a VA IG.
The va didn’t work before trump. If you think a 3 month waiting list to see a doctor is going to get better, I’ve got this stick of dynamite, I mean , this candle I’d like to sell you. What makes you think the guy that bankrupted 7 businesses and fucked the rest he worked with, or a billionaire who destroyed tesla and Twitter are equipped to pull off any of these falsely stated goals. Get retards out of government. Start with the separation of church and state and fire this Jesus cuckhold.
Umm, I would prefer not to be spoken to in such a “hunky dory” way, it belittles our veteran concerns. Responding so cavalier is disrespectful and shows one of 2 things (not that they are mutually exclusive). 1. This is the type/level of professionalism that we can expect from Mr. Collins. or… 2. Mr. Collins behavior/approach to speaking directly with veterans is that we are “folks” not that bright or intelligent for real dialogue opposed to simplified speech delivered with silly colloquial demeanor.
Neither one or two reflect well on Mr. Collin or the VA at the moment, please do better!
Michelle,
He will use sign language next time. There is that better? Come down off your high horse. I didn’t consider myself belittled. So maybe it might just be you. Look at it this way, you could have had clown Kamala break it down to you in a thousand-word statement, and for all the burden it might have been, you still would not understand what the hell she said. Have a good day!
Charles,
Go outside and touch some grass, please. When you can learn to grow up, come back and have civil discourse with the rest of the adults.
Michelle, never mind Mr. Harris. It’s not just you! We all know how long it takes to be seen, and there’s a good chance it will be rescheduled before you are! This has happened more and more, and is directly due to staffing shortages. I don’t hear anyone saying it’s going to make things better, only that it will save money. We already know why he is so desperate to save money, he has to fund those giant tax cuts for his rich family and friends. Once they have reduced staff to bare bones, I fully expect that they will begin to cull eligible veterans, starting with lower Priorities in order to “improve service”. I did feel talked down to by a Trump appointees as well.
DEBORAH
Yea!!!!!!! you tell them. OH and how do you know it is directly due to staffing shortages? Let me guess, you know a friend who said so. You do know that staffing shortages is the excuse every employee will use or every customer will use when things don’t go there way. Its like losing the super bowl and saying we lost because our best player was hurt not because the other 55 players played bad. Every losing team will give that excuse. case in point, mayyyyybe the process could be streamlined and actually work better and more efficient. The VA may not need all the bloated personnel. But i am sure you have insider information and know EXACTLY how to fix it. lol
CPT? Captain of what? What high speed combat unit were you a company commander in?
So rude guy, what are you veteran of?
Except how can we trust a word you say? trump is a traitor who has planned (project 2025) to reduce benefits, to deny access, and to send veterans out to community care (which does NOT have the ability to absorb all these new patients nor do they understand veteran needs. As it is, I have never dealt with a VA system that wasn’t already understaffed and overworked (they do great work, but there’s too much!). I am currently waiting on a VERY BASIC admin change and my claim has been ‘in progress’ since December of last year! The VA needs to be hiring more people, not firing the few we have.
Amen, yo are right on. I appreciate your candor
Connie,
Could you please tell me when TRUMP said he was going to enact Project 2025? You cant, i already know you cant, so stop telling lies and actually try to listen better. The ONLY people talking about project 2025 are the lefty liberals pushing an agenda such as yourself. So, if Trump is a traitor just because you decided to spew that suck out of your mouth, then i guess you are a traitor. See how that works? I have no basis to say that and neither did you, but you decided to say it on a forum to once again push a false narrative. Get a life and quit making false accusations. Oh and TRUMP had nothing to do with your VERY BASIC admin change in December. That was your sleepy/dead corpse Joe and his Kamala Clown. I am sure you were real proud of that clown show of an administration…..but by all means, keep spewing your false suck out of your liberal mouth. You make me laugh.
What does Biden/Harris have to do with the Trump/Collins adverse policies? Trump is the president now. The House has already voted on massive cuts taking from the Project 2025 Rule Book, still awaiting Senate approval. Trump numerously shunned Senator McCain, a Republican because he was a POW. This shows how much Trump hates veterans and attempting to cut IU for disabled veterans, shows how much he cares for the disabled veterans. Veterans need to be concerned regarding the Trump/Collins anti-veteran policies. Senator McCain asked for VA hiring increase to help with the issue veterans were dying while waiting for DVA medical appointments, not Biden/Harris. You need to use the facts instead of your political hatred to appease you hate for Democrats. Keep this forum concerning veterans, not the previous people who cannot further affect the veterans.
“keep spewing your false suck out of your liberal mouth” has noting to do with veteran concerns or issues.
I am not a Democrat, but a 100% disabled veteran, VFW and DAV lifetime member. You are nothing but a hateful anti-Democrat political Troll. Take your politics somewhere else.
Cutting over 80,000 jobs at VA while veterans have to wait over 3 months to be seen just doesn’t make sense.
Veterans working at VA getting fired is just irresponsible. Trump obviously does noy care for veterans.
Susi,
Who did you vote for? NVM, I already know. The corpse and his clown Harris. The 80,000 jobs cut, could have been all the janitorial jobs within the VA. Did you ever think of that? You have no clue, even if you worked at one of the VA’s. Now what? I work at one of the ALC’s and there are over 60,000 that took the buyout or was terminated, but I can only tell you of about 4-5 that I know. You must be talking directly with Mr. Musk since you know how that 80,000 fired personnel are going to affect your VA appointment scheduling. And remember, this was already the norm under that joke of a President sleepy Joe Biden. OOPS, DIDNT THINK ABOUT THAT DID YA? President Trump is one of only 2 or 3 Presidents we have EVER had that cared about the VA and its veterans. Biden and his clown show worried about DEI and hiring the WOKE and keeping the BORDER wide open. But I digress. Please, carry on with the ignorance.
That is why he dodged the draft five times. Get a grip, it does not matter who anyone voted for ole spur heals, draft dodging dump give tax cuts to who, his rich buddies that never served a day in their lives.
DVA does not have 80,000 janitors. In Trumps last term, veterans died waiting for appointments, Senator John McCain, a Republican POW, helped fixed this with VA hiring bills. Trump tried to disgrace this POW veteran, publicly. This website is for the helping veterans, not for a democratic hater who also cares less for veterans. Collins wrote the memo to fire DVA employees, not the democrats. What does DEI, Woke, and the Border have to do with DVA? Trump’s last term was to cut IU vet benefits to veterans also receiving Social security on a dollar for dollar ratio to pay for his border wall. Veterans should be concerned about loss of VA benefits as in the Project 2025 excepts already voted for in the House. You hateful comments towards veterans is unwelcomed.
Dale, thank you, US Army & US Air Force, Lt. Colonel Retired
Wow. You sure have been watching a lot of the Faux entertainment channel Charlies, I guess you think it was the P…. y grabber in chief that signed this…. It is a sad day in America.
President Obama Signs Bill to Give the VA the Resources It Needs
August 7, 2014 at 1:44 PM ET by Cameron Brenchley
I heard that!!!!
Thank you for the Whopper – no/cheese.
I’m lactose intolerant :)
So weird. The VA scheduled an appointment for me in April to “re-evaluate” my benefits. What are the odds they increase my benefits?
Watch what this man does, not what he says. I won’t believe anything this man says until he can prove to us veterans with actual actions that prove that these whoppers he speaks of are not happening.
Thanks, Secretary Collins. Glad you are at the helm! Veterans can be proud again.
Don’t put words or feelings in any other veterans mouths. You don’t speak for any sane veteran. If you watched donald send a mob to attack your capital and still support him, you are not a hero but a clear enemy of america. We Shouldnt have to brush shoulders with anti american cult members In the va. You are the opposite of a hero and a terrible example for your children.
So you found you could get Burger King to sponsor you BS
How about doing something for the Veterans that never served in combat zones or got out with a personal injury that makes them eligible under the rules for the last 50 years. I served 09/1975 thru 05/1985 plus reserve duty time. I am in a group that served but got a GI Bill but no medical benefits. I guess raising my right hand several times didn’t mean anything to the Greatful Nation!!
What can you do to bring my service age bracket of 68-78 year olds that served an equal chance for VA healthcare.
Richard Charles,
I too served 1975-79 + 2yrs reserves I signed up for healthcare benefits about three years ago: no issues. I’ve had good healthcare ever since. Wonder why you’re not getting it? Inconsistencies are rife in our VA. Fight it! I have no confidence in our current President or his appointees; Fight for what is yours.
You didn’t earn it.
Anybody who signs and knows their lives is on the line and can be carried at any given time DESERVES it and has EARNED it!
So you are saying that a Veteran who served his or her country can only get benefits if they were in combat? Well Trump didn’t even serve, in fact ole spur heals, dodged the draft five times. Get a life
Hate Keith all you want but he is correct for retirement purposes you didn’t earn it. However, the VA is a different story/ issue. You need to talk to them.
If you ain’t combat infantry, you ain’t shit.
No CIB, or even CAB? Then you didn’t do shit, therefore, you didn’t earn shit. Stay out of the VA system so you don’t clog it up for the actual warriors who did actual warrior shit.
What a crock of crap, If you didn’t serve in multiple branches, then you ain’t crap, you are just a looser
So you are not changing anything…..and that is reason for a commercial endorsement of Trump. Collins along with being a brown nose is an embarrassments to Veterans that served our country and not the Orange Messiah.
You accused anti-Trumpers from creating whoppers, but Trump lies as proven by 34x fraud convictions. You did not respond to my questions listed in my last post with thousands of other disabled veterans questions. Your statements in both video still lacks proof and is opinionated.
Fact: You increased DVA firing from 70,000 personnel to 80,000 personnel, approximating a forth of the DVA employees.
Fact: Reduction in Employees will result in the same problems during Senator McCain’s (Republican) era, where veterans died waiting for there appointments.
Fact: Appointments are taking longer.
Fact: Surgeries have been cancelled in DVA.
Fact: DVA clinics reduced staff and appointment availability has started Tele-appointments. Professional doctors lack the staff at DVA clinics and hospitals and now use doctor from other locations to cover for the missing doctor at my location. My physiatrist is stationed in Alaska and I am in Arizona.
Fact: There is a bill in Congress creating a concurrent receipt between DVA and Social Security disability payments. Trump tried this in his last term to help pay for his wall at disable veterans costs. For every dollar a disabled veteran received from Social Security, a dollar will be remove from a disable veteran’s disability compensation.
Fact: Congress wants to reduce DVA budget, also reducing disabled veterans benefits.
Prove me wrong with specific facts in your next video or stop the lying with your opinionated videos. Respond to the questions after this video and you previous video. You create PTSD in disabled veterans and DVA employees. Be truthful.
Your insult the disabled veterans with you lies,
Dale,
Have you ever heard the saying “More is not always better”? It is called doing more with less and getting better results with less payments going out. Yea, efficiency is the term for it. Look it up. But you will have to take your biased leftist views out of it and pick your battles that actually mean something. VA ran awesome under Trumps first term, and it will again, after they get the WOKE out of the VA all together. Funny how I get what you get and probably more, yet, I am not worried about losing it, why are you?
Have you ever heard the saying “Less is not always better”? It is called, hollowing out, which happens to many companies and countries following your ideology. So take your right wing biases out of it and look at what is actually happening. Your benefits are being degraded, why are you being willfully blind to it?
Mark,
Never heard of the business term hollowing out. So Mark, what is actually happening, since you are so well versed into ideology. What specific ideology is that? UM, how have my benefits been degraded, i can still get into see the VA doctors and dental ANYTIME i need to, never had a problem and i am still receiving my monthly payments right on schedule. SOOOOOOOOO, I FAIL to see your analogy here. What benefits of mine got degraded? Please, i need to know so that i can blame it on Trump since your corpse and clown show was ousted out of the white house this past November. That Joe was something else wasn’t he. I sure do miss that clown, as well as, not being burdened by what has been. lololol
Are you a moron?
Glenn,
I will take it as, that is all you can say, Glenn. No substance to back it up or anything to prove that what is happening within the VA, as of today, will not make it better. I GUESS YOU CAN “SAY YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOU DONT KNOW”. But as all the LIB-TARDS on here keep saying, ITS TRUMPS FAULT. keep telling yourself that, maybe it makes you feel better. Guess what, He is still your President over the next 4 years. lololololol. See how comical this has become? All the bit**ing in the world will not change that fact. Oh and please let me know when my benefits change. For all you crying wolf, i still have not seen any benefits or money lost. Have a great week knowing your President is President Trump. Thank GOD for that. I rest better at night knowing he has my back. :) Truth 100!
Charles can’t define woke and keeps deflecting to the former administration. He forgot to take his meds today.
Charles,
https://apnews.com/article/john-mccain-ap-fact-check-joe-biden-veterans-veterans-affairs-f322b3774b773cc29a527bc6f9b204ad
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/ap-fact-check-trump-takes-credit-for-obamas-gains-for-vets
https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/529210-trump-leaves-mixed-legacy-on-veterans-affairs/
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/07/03/heres-what-biden-and-trump-actually-did-veterans-president.html
Enjoy the read.
Austin,
You enjoy the read. My benefits are fine, not sure what the hell you are complaining about. AAAAAND YOU DO KNOW, the VA issues that are happening now are coming off the corpse and clown decisions from the last 4 years of running the VA into the ground. As i said above, for all you READERS out there, you have no idea what areas within the VA were cut so how the hell do you know how it is going to affect you going forward, Mr. Psychic? They could have cut all the landscaping contractors, janitors, and fake tree waterers (yea, that one cracks me up, but i am sure you are real worried about them as well you lib-tard) MY BENEFITS HAVE NOT CHANGED but please keep running with this narrative. I am sure you will start with PROJECT 2025 because that is all you lefties can boast about even though not one of you can send a video or statement from Trump that said he was enacting Project 2025. But keep spewing it, i am sure you can get some people to believe it over the next 4 years. lolololol
Wow, facts not fiction here in these URLs. Draft dodging, “President Donald Trump claimed to receive a 2016 award from military veterans that didn’t exist and falsely denigrated the record of the late Republican Sen. John McCain on veterans affairs”.
https://apnews.com/article/john-mccain-ap-fact-check-joe-biden-veterans-veterans-affairs-f322b3774b773cc29a527bc6f9b204ad
Biden supported the PACT Act to help disabled veterans. Trump tried to reduce IU disable veterans compensation to hurt the disabled veterans and cursed Senator McCain, a Republican, for being a POW and supporting VA. Between the three, I pick Senator McCain first and Trump last.
Also, I am not a Democrat.
Much like with the address that Trump made to Congress, I would recommend you become literate as to what WOKE actually means before you refer to it. “WOKE” is the concept of being actively aware of the political environment and policies, especially those dealing with Race, Gender and Religion, and how they will have an impact on your daily life. Of course it has more recently been used in a derogatory manner to describe those who have jumped on certain political band wagons, or suddenly become over-enthusiastic about a cause that is based in popular politics, as being “WOKE”. In reality nothing has changed, except that there is a convenient term that few know the proper usage of that has been touted in the headlines and become popular to use.
Even the attention on the term WOKE, and wanting to get rid of it (even though not knowing what it is), is in itself being WOKE…so kind of silly don’t you think?
Hey George, i know enough about WOKE to know that i dont want to have any part of any one ACTIVELY AWARE of race, gender, and religion in politics from the left side. By the way, when did the LIB TARDS finally decide that they were actually going to come to terms about gender? LET ME GUESS GEORGE, he/him she/they /them/horse/cat/us/we/non binary, you and your left radicals are so much more advanced than us MAGA’s on all the new WOKE terms and agenda. WE Maga’s had no idea how dumb we were. Thank goodness people/douches like you and the left are so much smarter and can lead us blind dumb dumbs to see the radical left agenda and truth. AND just think, it was just 4 months ago, that more than half the country was thinking as dumb as me. Thank you George for setting us all straight. By the way, much like WOKE, people using the term MAGA, as a derogatory term, not truly knowing what it means, which stands for MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, is kinda silly don’t you think? Especially coming from a bunch of VETS! But I digress. Now run along and keep pushing that agenda. How is that working out for you and the radical left so far. BUT there s hope, you can still let men beat women in sports. Keep on pushing that agenda. I like 8 more years of JD Vance after Trump.
Yawn. Go back to bed with your stupidity and bigotry. Bullying transgenders because you are a coward. You still can’t define woke and yes, you people are uneducated and ignorant. Get off of here.
Charles Harris Pls stop sniffing glue. Nothing you say makes sense.
As a former employee of the VA I can think of many ways to cut the budget other than this hatchet job that is being done. Many probationary personnel fired for no reason. Nobody bothered to check their performance records before letting them go. Many of them on probation because they got a promotion or changed jobs where the the probationary period begins again. This has been done with no discernment whatsoever. Shame on you for allowing this to occur.
Kandis,
Cutting employees to save money is not a reason? AND here I thought for all these years, that major corporations were firing people to save money. Little did I know they were doing it just to do it, “FOR NOOOOOOOOOO REASON AT ALL”. How dare they, try to run a business more efficiently. Shame on them. :/ Think about what you are saying before saying it.
The VA is not a business
John,
Absolutely it is, the money has to come from somewhere, congress maybe? Therefore, Congress is the MONEY and Trump is the CEO. VA still has to operate under the same principles. Spend the money unwisely and Let the money dry up and what would happen to it? Just like a business the doors would close for good. OHHHHHHHHHH, YOU are one of those lefties that thinks money can be printed anytime the US wants to or runs short and we will never run out. Now i see your logic. Yep! Same logic that is going to keep all the illegals getting free healthcare, food, housing, cars. Just print more money and keep pushing forward. lol, you are kind of funny aaaaaaaaaaaaaand a little dumb. :)
The VA is not a service. I earned by doing two tours in Vietnam and one is Iraq.
Terry,
If it is not a service OR a business as you stated further down in another post, what the hell is it? lol
Your boy is a cult leader implant with 100% fealty to a king. You are not “hearing directly from the va” you are hearing the donald trumps lies through his cuckholds mouth like a ventriliquist. This guy is a partisan plant with distorted Christian nationalism as a guiding light. He has no business being anywhere near. REAL SOLDIERS. If you cant tell a liar when you see one, shame on your ignorance it’s not a legal defense and it’s social poison, good luck with that.
A lot of hype and short on specifics like we are all stupid!
Are They Going Privatize The VA Health Care The Secretary Said He Wasn’ t Going Lay People Off What If Elon Musk Decide To
How does this make sense? VA needs the staff to attend to a growing population. I worked in the va as a supervisor and all the issues we had were due to not having enough staff to process the large amount consults being sent out. There is only so much one person can do in a 8hr tour of duty. The same staff that schedules must schedule within 7 days, confirm pt went to appt, request med recs, answer phones, get preferences, and put records into pt rec system. Each of those task take a considerate amount of time as these require an individual to actually answer the phine when we call. Just saying, looking into actual ways to improve the system such as systems that actually communicate with community recs or find ways to use AI to assist with timeliness .
I really like Sec. Doug Collins! He speaks my language and tells it like it is without the typical politician gobbly-gook. I look forward to more of Sec. Collins video feeds!
Comparing Congresspersons to BK Whoppers is nothing but ” politician gobbly-gook”.
Too bad he doesn’t speak coherent English for the rest of us, LOL.
That’s why they should have appointed somebody from NYC, New Jersey or Philly. Someone with some balls
The VA here in Boise treats all vets incredibly well. I have always had top notch care here. Not sure about other VA facilities across the nation, but kudos for the Boise VA. The VA has come a long way to provide the services that all vets deserve. Cuts are necessary in the government to be able to sustain services across the board, so the citizens need to understand this.
I don’t believe that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is being fully truthful or transparent. How can veterans feel comfortable when on his watch he is not disclosing the breadth and scope of veterans personal and confidential data that has been given over to DOGE and Elon Musk?
He, and the Department of Veterans Affairs refuses to share and discuss this truly outrageous breach of trust and confidentiality.
When I called both local VA officials and DC officials they say it is “not in the VA’s ability to give out that information.” Also, they give us the White House phone number to call and request it. When I did, the White House, instead of letting me know, hung up.
Is this the how the VA respects veterans, their concerns and most of all their confidential records?
Answer this for me please if you will:
1) Why is our data in the hands of DOGE? What was the purpose of veterans data being released to an unauthorized (by congress) to a 3rd party that is not an official department.
2) Where is that data? Is it still in the hands of DOGE when there are lawsuits pending and they were asked by courts to destroy it.
3) If Doge currently is holding the data, what is the Secretary doing to get it back?
4) What measures are being put in place to future proof further breaches to our supposedly protected and private data?
David,
Do you really think, be honest, that DOGE, gives a damn about your information. They are cleaning up the waste and fraud, plain and simple. If Elon wanted to use your information to steal from you, he would have accomplished that with PAYPAL. HE IS THE RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD!!!!!! Let that sink in for a moment. Try giving the man that could be on a beach somewhere not giving two thoughts about America or its citizens a little gratitude and a thank you. He is the reason we will continue to receive our benefits in the future because he is going to save our government and country from going bankrupt. Just think about it. Quit letting your leftist political view and hatred for President Trump get in the way of your main concern. THESE TWO are the reason you will get your payments and benefits in the future. Relax. :)
Why does DOGE require our personal information. Yes, Trump has a history of using personnel information to guide trollers to harass his victims. Just look at DOGE firing of all prosecutors and investigators involved with investigations of Jan 6.
David is right to be concerned about this.
Dale,
I think you and David must view yourself as someone REALLLLLLY IMPORTANT. You Sir are just another click in the clicker. They could care less about what you got. NOW, if you got something to hide and they find it, that is on you, if you did everything right and in good conscious, you’ll have nothing to worry about. I am not worried, why are you? As i said before, we are just another click in the clicker. :) I work for the OC/ALC here at Tinker. If my bosses, President Trump, Elon, and Sec Hegseth had to let me go because of the cuts, then I would just have to go. I know they are doing what is best for the country. Same as with any CEO in a major corporation, if they do not need me or they need to cut me to save money, i would have to accept it and move on to another Job. That is life my friend. But calling the President names, lets me know, this is not about you knowing or feeling what is right and wrong, you are a leftist and want to blame Trump for everything. MAYBE if you had that same worry about OLD JOE and his clown show HE and his CLOWN would have been re-elected. But we know how that turned out, and by the way, the VA was woke and run into the ground with OLD JOE at the helm, and you know it!!!!! Remember……click, click
Draft dodging, “President Donald Trump claimed to receive a 2016 award from military veterans that didn’t exist and falsely denigrated the record of the late Republican Sen. John McCain on veterans affairs”.
https://apnews.com/article/john-mccain-ap-fact-check-joe-biden-veterans-veterans-affairs-f322b3774b773cc29a527bc6f9b204ad
Biden supported the PACT Act to help disabled veterans. Trump tried to reduce IU disable veterans compensation to hurt the disabled veterans and cursed Senator McCain, a Republican, for being a POW and supporting VA. Between the three, I pick Senator McCain first and Trump last.
Also, I am not a Democrat, but Biden is not currently running the show, but Trump and Collins are running the show. Why does hateful Democrats blame the new policies on Biden when he cannot affected the Trump adverse anti-veteran policies.
“They are cleaning up the waste and fraud, plain and simple” LMFAO here is a typical Fox viewer willfully ill-informed
Mark,
Tell me more about the middle. CNN, MSNBC maybe? yea i thought so. So enlighten me as to what they are doing? YOU KNOW, since they are NOT cleaning up fraud, waste, and abuse. Please tell me the hidden agenda i just cant SEE for the trees. Ill wait, Mr. Insider. I am sure you will break it down from the MSNBC perspective since they are so non far left leaning. I am still waiting for allllllllllll these facts that you people from the lib-tard left keep saying has happened. My benefits nor my monthly pay has not changed. Let me know.
I agree with David W. and Charles Harris probably never served and he is a spur heals, draft dodging dump supporter. VA IS NOT A BUSINESS, nor should it be run like one.
Terry,
I served 20 years 1 month and 2 days, 1990-2010, RETIRED AF. And i am still in the DOD working at the OC/ALC. What are you doing other than griping and looking for a hand out? I will save myself the time and copy / paste exactly what i told the other dumb dumb above that said the VA is not a business……….Absolutely it is, the money has to come from somewhere, congress maybe? Therefore, Congress is the MONEY and Trump is the CEO. VA still has to operate under the same principles. Spend the money wisely and doors stay open, spend it unwisely and Let the money dry up and what would happen to it? Just like a business, the doors would close for good. OHHHHHHHHHH, YOU are another one of those lefties that thinks money can be printed anytime the US wants to or runs short and we will never run out. Just go back to Congress for more. Now i see your logic. Yep! Same logic that is going to keep all the illegals getting free healthcare, food, housing, cars. Just print more money and keep pushing forward with that agenda as well. lol, you are kind of funny aaaaaaaaaaaaaand a little dumb Terry.
If you are a government employee. Ever hear of the hatch act? Posting fascist garbage on here and being hateful might get you terminated.
Charles is a paid troll and judging by the way he writes, he’s probably one of those semiliterate teenaged lackies who work for that illegal Iranian Terrorist pedophile at his fake agency (DOGE).
Thanks. Finally.
So, they cut 82,000 positions out of 482,000. That is 17.22% of the positions, but they are not going to have any diminished benefits or service. Why does he sound like someone who is not to be believed? Has anyone tried to call the Crisis line recently to find out what is really going on? This guy is lying like no tomorrow. You know that the cancelled contracts he referred to will be redone with specific political donors who will benefit greatly with the new contracts. Gee? Who would that be?
Martha,
Are you trying to tell me that there is NEVER to many people hired for any company? I work for the government and can tell you that there are probably another 1 million that could be cut and we would still be putting sorties in the air on time. The government has grossly over hired to run most of its departments. ALL the ALC’s are sitting with a whole lot of FAT that can be cut loose. Did you ever stop to think, that of the 400,000 employees that are left, after the 82,000 personnel that were cut at the VA, that 200,000 may be in an area or position that is not needed as much as some other areas, such as, oh i don’t know, crisis line or doctors or nurses or dentist or dental assistants. Maybe, just Maybe, we don’t need people to water the fake trees in the VA hallways or 400 janitors for just 30 bathrooms in the building or 100 people for outside landscaping. You get the picture. But hey, I am sure you voted for President Trump, right? That is rhetorical, I already know the answer. :) I did and I am proud I did, even if he has to let me go from Tinker. As I told Dale above, “that is life”. Move on.
You’re obviously a moron. Every Trump voter I meet is a moron.
Sir, VA Healthcare has suffered the past four years. Instead of being greeted by American values, flags, and personnel, we are greeted by DEI, rainbow flags, and communists that don’t like us. I am broken for my Country, would do it all over again, but stopped going to my VA offices because of how SICK and disgusted I feel walking in to them. Being surrounded by people who DON’T share my values, don’t appreciate our Country, and don’t understand the price we pay VOLUNTEERING to fight for it. Before I was able to get a new psychiatrist, my last WOKE doctor told me that I didn’t deserve my benefits, and through different Veteran programs outside of the VA I found several other Veterans who she demeaned and insulted. That kind of service and treatment has forever tainted the VA for people like me. You have a lot to accomplish before I will trust you again.
Hello Keith,
I was wondering how rainbow flags in the VA negatively affects your PCM/doctor from performing their job? And since you are going to the VA I’m guessing you have some type of medical issue, so being greeted by DEI would be a good thing. If you don’t know what DEI is, I can help you understand. DEI is size inclusive chairs and beds in medical facilities, work accommodations for a variety of disabilities, changing tables in men’s restrooms, breast feeding/pumping stations & accommodations, ramps and sidewalk curb cuts, pay equity & transparency, subtitles & captions (TV & phone), parental leave (time & pay), coming back to a job after birthing a child, belt extenders on planes, not having to just accept workplace harassment, various food options for vegetarians/vegans/kosher/gluten-free/etc at medical facilities, flexible work arrangements, non smoking areas/end of smoking indoors, wellness programs and incentives, more relaxed & inclusive dress code policies, rooms to pray/meditate at work & other public places, employee recognition programs, employee/network resource groups, large print materials, materials in different languages, multiple religious options at hospitals, accessible bikes and public transit accommodations, businesses not becoming fully cashless, and company-covered mental/behavioral health resources.
A common misconception about DEI is that it’s just about hiring an under qualified person based on race or sex. It’s not. It’s actually a lot of things to include giving a qualified person of a certain race or sex the opportunity to be considered for a position that they would have never been considered for before. It’s opening up doors of opportunity that have been closed for years.
We fought for freedom in this country. But freedom isn’t forcing everyone to have the same values as you. And just because people support equality, wokeness and rainbow flags doesn’t mean they don’t love our country too. And lastly, just because I don’t agree with your post doesn’t mean I don’t care about you as my brother in the military. I served 20 years and one day in the Air Force. I hope you can find the service and treatment you are looking for and thank you for your service sir.
Hey Juan,
You are correct, I don’t need to be forced to see the same value as you either. So that means, I don’t have to sit and accept your rainbow flag in a VA that I have earned the right to use as well. You don’t see us forcing a made-up straight flag down your throat at the VA, now do you? I don’t need ANY OTHER FLAG accept the AMERICAN FLAG and or the DOD Flags in my VA. I don’t give a rats butthole about your dang rainbow flag. I DONT NEED TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE SLEEPING WITH OR YOUR PREFERENCE. Live and let live! I already know there are gay people out there. Why does their flag need to be up in any federal building to remind me? To push an agenda? I dang sure don’t see a place for it in my VA. So, I suggest we fly the ONLY FLAG we ALL fought for…….THE AMERICAN FLAG. That rainbow flag never entered my mind during ANY conflict.
To my fellow veterans against woke and DEI. Does the veteran preference points in federal jobs fall under DEI? Isn’t that diversity and equality in hiring? No, I guess not equality since it is a preference to veterans. Yes, WE are part of DEI.
Great message from Secretary of Veterans Administration.
Thank you for caring for all veterans
But hotline workers have been laid off.
Excellent! I worked as an RVSR at Togus VA from 2002 to 2012, and it was a terrible center. Full of nepatism and kiss asses who did nothing except receive a nice pay check. I finally got fired because I bucked their system and fought for vets. I fought them in court and had the great pleasure of going face to face with the director and was able to speak my mind and tell the judge what really happened. I won my case after that! So please, Doug, get rid of the no loads that are holding positions just because they kiss ass and play golf with the higher ups.
My Healthevet has been taken away for thousands of Vets because of the new complex sign in!
I served my Country 5 years in the far east and really need my Healthevet………They say if you can’t get logged in to use the phone……The phone system is broken and antique…..After waiting so long the phone just goes dead……If you do get person to talk to they are usually nice……..Right now I’m waiting for a call from from Anderson VA……..I am 80 and dyslexic living alone and can’t do this over the phone……My Humana is 9550 out of pocket and that is out so VA health is necessary……..If my community care gives out for my treatment for macular degeneration then I don’t know what to do……..This is not the way to treat a person that served in conditions you wouldn’t understand.
Well, I visited my local VA clinic in Ventura, CA last Friday, and while they were very helpful as able, they told me up front that delays are worse and that many services are under review. I have had hearing aids through an outside source, Second Chance hearing, for a number of years. It was done through the CHOICE program and had been very easy to work with, once the approvals were in place. NOW, they are not approving the program for Second Chance, or at least not as they did in the past. And my devices are acting up and need service or replacement. So, now I have an auditory appointment weeks out as “the first step” it seems in taking Second Chance out of the loop, even though they have a local office that responds quickly and efficiently. That is, or WAS the reason for Choice to begin with. They did offer to take my devices and send them for service, but only after the now scheduled, weeks from now, appointment. And then they would be gone an indefinite time. Second Chance serviced the devices on site and if needed something had access quickly. So, is that how you are making it more efficient and HELPING? I will be 81 in a little over a week, and I depend on the hearing aids for assuring I understand people and such. Now, they are not dependable, though seem to work for short periods.
I would like to see the veteran receiver a card like Medicare card and let them go to the doctor of their choice for care. This would do away with the state run VA which you have to go through just to get your benefits and you could go to your local drug store for prescription that the Dr prescribed rather than having the VA pharmacy tell you what you can get.
More hogwash coming from another lying Trumper!
What did he lie about Steve? Just name one thing you can prove he lied about. I’LL wait!
34 convicted counts of fraud proves he lies. The big lie that he won the previous 2020 election. He was going to lower inflation from day one. There are hundreds of lies by Trump. Do you blindly trust Trump?
As for Mr Collins, DVA is already showing appointment and surgery cancellations. DVA is firing disabled veteran from the DVA workforce. How is that helping the disabled veterans with their incomes? This is not helping the veterans.
Dale,
Your ignorance is showing once again. Let me guess, you will bring every conversation back to TRUMPS fault. And let me ask you a question, you really think that by saying 34 counts of made-up felonies makes me shiver. Please tell me what law he broke and exactly what he was convicted for because some of the greatest minds in law are STILL saying they have not been told the exact charges he was convicted of. So, you may be the brightest law professor anyone has ever seen if you can come up with any actual law he broke and was actually convicted of. It was NEVER stated what law he broke. But go ahead and give it a shot. Ill wait. I’ll ask you the same question i asked STEVE, WHAT DID HE LIE ABOUT? Dont just make general statements. WHAT DID HE LIE ABOUT? Again, ill wait :) I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO LISTENING TO THE GREATEST MIND IN LAW. I didnt realize who i was talking to. This is an honor. :)
34 counts of Fraud by a jury still prove he lies. This was viewed my most news networks, including Fox. But the question I asked was, “Do you blindly trust Trump?”
“President Donald Trump claimed to receive a 2016 award from military veterans that didn’t exist and falsely denigrated the record of the late Republican Sen. John McCain on veterans affairs”.
https://apnews.com/article/john-mccain-ap-fact-check-joe-biden-veterans-veterans-affairs-f322b3774b773cc29a527bc6f9b204ad
Fact or Fiction?
“Trump found guilty on 34 felony counts in NY hush money trial”
.
“First criminal trial of a former U.S. president”
.
“Jurors in New York state court on Thursday found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn star ultimately to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.”
.
“Trump now faces penalties ranging from probation to up to four years in prison for each charge of falsifying business records in the first degree.”
.
https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/05/30/breaking-trump-found-guilty-on-34-felony-counts-in-ny-hush-money-trial/
.
.
Reference “I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO LISTENING TO THE GREATEST MIND IN LAW”, I am not a lawyer, but you can ask the jury and the Judge about the fraud convictions of Trump. They know the law better than both of us. By the way, did you listen to the evidence presented to the jury?
.
He was impeached twice for breaking the law, for trying to affect an election by influencing Ukraine and for Sedition (Jan 6). 10 Republicans in the House voted to impeach him. The Republican Senators refused to acquitted him, but did not stated his innocence. The lead Republican Senator stated he should be tried in a court of law.
Sorry to break your faith in Trump, but if you still have faith that he does not lie to us, please present the court and jury was wrong, with the evidence presented to the jury, not by biased Fox News nor Mr. Trumps lies that he tells the truth.
Trust anyone in this administration I don’t think so
Robert,
AND You trusted Biden and that circus to do what? I’ll wait, take your time.
Worse to trust a convicted liar. 34 counts of fraud is 34 proven counts Trump lies. Biden was never convicted.
Well now DALE, THAT just makes it all better since you and I both know they were not going to prosecute him for stealing top secret documents from the building ONLY because he was too old and senile. Yea you know you are talking out your butt now. You might want to do a little more reading on both his and Trumps issues. OH! and you do realize your issues with the VA have been under sleepy corpse Joe and his clown, the last 4years right? You make me fall off the couch laughing. :)
One more thing Mr. DALE. Who put 2 billion in ABRAMS made up account right before he left? You know, the one for all the free electric stoves. Don’t you think that 2 billion could have been used more wisely by the VA that you are having so many problems with today while under the watch of sleepy Joe the last 4 years? Yea, I thought so. :)
Trump was charged with “crimes” that were created by democrats to charge him. He was tried by a biased judge in New York who contributed to Biden campaign and had a daughter who raised money for Biden. A jury selected from the most leftist district in New York … it was political, nothing more. Trump is doing all he can to save this country from the theft and corruption that has existed for years. You don’t hate the people who have been stealing from us… you hate the guys who caught them. Who’s side are you on?
I am hopeful this new administration will make the changes many have said are coming but have failed, as a veteran awaiting decisions from the VA on disability benefits and healthcare, I am very pessimistic. I have been waiting over 9+ months (273 days) and counting for simple process to add my dependents to my disability compensation benefits. I completed a FOIA request to get a copy of my own C-File and after 8 1/2 months (259 days) this request was closed and no documentation provided. Timely access to VA healthcare is a joke, even after being hospitalized within the last few weeks for an ongoing issue I am unable to see a specialist because I am unable to get an appointment with my primary care VA doctor even for a referral. It’s situations like these that often make veterans feel like they are just a number and the sacrifices they made are meaningless. Many of us still fail to seek the treatments we desperately need because of the lack of access and care and often fall back onto what we were taught while on active duty, just “suck it up and deal with it”, until it becomes too unbearable and often times too late.
Same here Shane! Tried to get my files through the FOIA and it was closed last week after 9 months with nothing provided. Also have been waiting 7+ months to get a dependent added to my benefits and it has never moved beyond step 1 (received).
You should be in the U.S. Senate Mr. Collins. But that’s another topic.
Now for the VA. I’m a veteran enlisting in the Army at sixteen years of age on July 18, 1950. However, I didn’t get there until January 1954. I took Basic Training at Ft. Knox. I was then assigned as Cadre training inductees in tank gunnery. Nothing was done to protect me from hearing loss. By the time my term was up in 1953 my hearing loss was evident even to me. The ringing/booming noises in my ears were driving me crazy, but I thought nothing could be done about it.
On October 13, 1953 I reenlisted for three (3) years. My assignment? You guessed it. I was assigned to Ft. Jackson, again training troops in tank gunnery. The hearing loss only got worse. I asked to be reassined. The good old Army sent me to Korea. My job was first a tank commander, then a platoon Sgt. my hearing loss getting worse all the time. The engine noise was almost unbearable at times.
I also experienced frost bite in the toes of my left foot, among other things.
Mr. Collings, I was then assigned to Fort Benning, again ito a tank company.
I was discharged in October 1956.
I went home (I was married by then) and I went to a business school on the GI Bill. I have always been grateful for that. That education launched me on a successful career in computers in the business world.
Now the problems. This old yokel was a real DA. I was not aware that the VA would help with me with my hearing loss until I began talking to other veterans who had experienced similar problems. Oh, BY THE WAY, I had to have a titanium rod put in my right ear in the early seventies. I spent thousands on medical bills and hearing aids before I could get the VA to help me. I simply couldn’t affort the expense any longer
The VA kept refusing to help me. They kept saying that they (military) had no record of me having any hearing loss or frost bite and that I would have to provide proof of experiencing those problems while in the military. That incensed me as that was rhe most absurd thing that I had ever heard. Mr. Collins in my six (6) years in the Army, they had never tested my hearing or treated me for frost bite. Now they want proof. CRAZY CRAZY CRAZY.
One question before I go. Why is there such an employee turn-over in the VA? In Greenville, SC anyway?
What’s a URL?
Respectfully,
Lewis R. Vaughn, SC Sen. Ret.
“IF YOU HAVE NO ENEMIES, YOU ARE APT TO BE IN THE PREDICAMENT IN REGARD TO FRIENDS.” —ELBERT HUBBARD—
Trump is the biggest liar of all, if he lies about one thing, you can’t trust or depend on anything he says. He’s already broke campaign promises, prices are going up, he’s admitting a recession might happen now after saying prices would go down on day one. Smoke and mirrors, all of you.
Too scared to post your name, but you will tell your democratic lies about our great president—– what a wimpy punk!
Names should not be used with the factual complaints as 34x fraud convicted Trump (hence liar) use of Trump vengeance and DOGE having a copy of each of out individual records veterans files with a history of publishing the names of the completers so trolls like you can ruin their lives with threats and nasty e-mails and tweets.
How can you deny that Trump is a liar? It’s like denying the Earth is round. He lies even when he doesn’t have to lie. So here’s my name. I merely speak the truth. Unlike Collins who knows Musk has already started slashing VA jobs, of which over 40% were veterans working for the VA.
Typical Anonymous. If you believe it, put your name on it.
Why? so you can troll him as many other Trump complainers get trolled and threatened? Why do you need his name anyways? What will you do with his name? As for Trump, 34 count of convicted fraud is proof he lies.
Yea, Mr. Anonymous, you tell us MAGA’s. That sleepy corpse Joe and his clown show Harris told nothing but truth, you know, BORDER WAS CLOSED, that is just one truth off the top of my head. There are so many more truths told by JOE AND HARRIS, I just don’t have the time to sit here and name them all. Again, falling off the couch laughing, you people are funny as hell. lol
why are vets now being charged office visited charges
I am a retired Decision Review Officer at Veterans Benefits and many of my friends are still working for VBA, making decisions on whether to grant benefits. In the decades I have known VA, benefits employees have been drastically overworked, with short staffing and mandatory overtime almost every single year. HOW ON EARTH will reduction in staffing make things better? It’s the same at the hospitals, where they are perpetually understaffed and now with the hiring freeze and the firings, they are in survival mode. HOW will this help veterans – who, by the way, make up 25% of the VA staffing. How is firing 25% of veterans at VA helping veterans? Yeah, answer me those whoppers.
That sounds like 1 of 230,378 lies already told. If The Orange one could he’d take all our money. Trust nothing these people say especially if they support layoffs which had already been done, so lie 230,379. They truly believe their bs
I heard a rumor that VA Compensation beneficiaries may be required to complete a means test to determine if benefits would be cut or discontinued. Please address this to veterans in receipt of benefits.
Loved this video . Glad Secretary Collins is in charge. . Just wish people would know how to get on these sites. Needs to be told the Veterans will be taken care of and Medicare & Medicaid isn’t going to be cut. Send letters to Dems. No matter what you say to them they don’t believe you. Spoke to a lady the other day. She was very nice most aren’t when I challenge them when they say president Trump is going to take our Medicare & Medicaid. Said definitely not
She said what channel do you watch? I said Fox News and I read. I asked her what she watched she CNN & NBC
I live in Massachusetts. It’s hard to find anyone who will listen. I am 83 and I always remember whenever a Republican runs the cry is they are going to take away your benefits.
Good Luck Secretary
Collins. Shout it from the roof tops. Get real veterans to do T.V ads. REPUBLICANS ARE FOR THE PEOPLE. PRESIDENT TRUMP IS FOR ALL THE PEOPLE
“Fox News headed for trial, again, over 2020 election fraud claims”
.
“Fox News appears to be headed once more to court over the lies involving election fraud it aired about the 2020 presidential race. This time, it’s over the false claims that election tech company Smartmatic sabotaged the reelection of then-President Donald Trump.”
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https://www.npr.org/2025/01/10/nx-s1-5256432/smartmatic-fox-news-trial-defamation-election-2020-trump
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“Fox Loses Last-Ditch Effort to Stop Massive $2.7B Defamation Suit”
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https://www.yahoo.com/news/fox-news-loses-last-ditch-010404720.html?guccounter=1
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“Fox News removed from former producer’s sexual assault lawsuit against ex-anchor Ed Henry”
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https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2025-03-13/fox-news-dismissed-from-former-employee-sex-harassment-suit
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“What to know about the Fox News defamation lawsuit”
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“Fox News settled a major defamation lawsuit for $787.5 million on Tuesday, according to the voting machine company that sued the top cable news network.”
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“The settlement avoids a trial that could have shed additional light on former President Donald Trump’s election lies, revealed more about how the right-leaning network operates and even redefined libel law in the U.S. Here are some things to know about the case.”
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https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/what-to-know-about-the-fox-news-defamation-lawsuit
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Sources taken from unbiased sources and not the Trump-biased Fox New entertainment service. CNN and ABC where not mentioned in these sources. Fox uses anonymous sources as fact. Other News use multiple named sources for their facts. Also, Fox news considers themselves as an entertainment service rather than an “accredited news station” in the courts regarding numerous lawsuits against Fox news.
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Can Fox News be trusted?
Lots of word smithing and storytelling, I don’t need to be told how great donald trump is. Just do you job. We Will see about the Whoppers as time moves on.
Airborne
Trust anyone in this administration I don’t think so
Hello sir congrads on your being appointed as the VA secretary. I truly do believe you will do a better than the previous head of VA.
Report Doug’s video on YouTube for misinformation because it’s full of it.
Great call. Also do a thumb down.
Yes indeed Stephanie, every video- thumbs down & report for misinformation.
You are only saying that because it is true.
Grow up Becky, you are probably not even a veteran. Democrat!
Anthony, does your accusation of Becky being a Democrat have anything to do with a hatred towards Democrats. The increase of DVA personnel by Senator John McCain, a Republican, POW who helped to prevent disabled veterans dying while waiting for appointments, due to DVA employee shortages. Your comment is inappropriate and hateful.
What a load of bovine scatology!!! tRump and MUSK are cutting 83,000 jobs at the VA. Collins is just one more empty kettle that rattles.
Whopper this for 34 years I’ve been waiting on somebody to deliver Justice and Relief to me. There is not one single records of me doing anything but being innocent for the Injustice and complete and total disrespect for me and my family. I have been screaming at the VA for over 3 years DUTY TO ASSIST find any unit records, still today you have not one piece of evidence or probably cause and have violated every right a man can have in the process. So instead of telling Whopper stories do your job get the facts about the crap the Army, DOD, and VA are flapping without so much as one shred of evidence. I demand relief and Justice for the lies and life that has been ruined. I’m INNOCENT GO GET THE FACTS before you Flame Broil my WHOPPER! Because if one more document comes from this Dept. Defying my Character I’m going to file Civil Action and then we will see what facts you have NONE. Now go process those 13 claims that have been sitting for 3 years while the adjudicators keep making matters worse and adding even more lies. Vets don’t want to hear you’re whopper stories we want to hear what we have already paid for in full what are you really gonna do to better this department for all Vets!
I am seen at both the VA hospital in Seattle as well as the VA hospital in American Lake (Tacoma WA). They have bent over backwards to give me the best and most caring and considerate health care that I have ever had in my 75 years. All the people that have seen me have gone above and beyond to call me after different tests and procedures to follow up and make sure I was alright. Yeah, sometimes it is hard to get ahold of them but all in all I would rather go to the doctors and nurses in Seattle and Tacoma VA than any civilian care facility.
I totally agree!
What are they talking about in cutting? Are VA compensation benefits being targeted by the Trump administration?
Because if Trump cuts compensation or services to current veterans and then hands Israel $4billion and spends billions on Gaza, he is making a critical mistake
I have sent two post but have yet to see one
Veterans are the biggest fraternity of all.We may not agree with each other all the time,but one thing is for certain we all served faithfully to defend our country both foreign and domestic. We must not allow those who did not serve determine our benefits or are destiny. A t present our benefits are being talked about being cut by Congress. I suggest we march on Washington peacefully of course in full force to protect the benefits we so valiantly fought for and willing to die for while serving faithfully to protect our country.
Is the President Trump will eliminate tax from military retirement pension?
Thank you very much for this message it Greatly needs to get out to all Vets as fast as Possible. Senator Patty Murray of my State of Washington has been trying to spread rumors, misinformation, misleading information and much, much more making herself out to be the hero also as much as possible. Senator Patty Murray is trying to panic Veterans to turn them all against President Trump and D.O.G.E.
Senator Murray has not disclosed it was she and Senator Cantwell sent millions to the University of Washington/UW do sexual experimentation to sexually mutilate children and young adults transitioning them /sex change/gender affirming care to appear as the opposite sex. That it will cost taxpayers billions for decades that we do not have. Senator Murray spent the money on child experimentation not on our brave Veterans who deserver our blessing from God, gratitude, appreciation, Thanks and so much more. Senator Murray is trying to hide her misappropriation of money that should have gone to veterans. Please Expose them for what they are… My new name for Senator Murray Panicking Patty she is Panicking because the Veterans and others are going to find out how she has been spending our money she is trying to cover her tracks…. Keep Up The Great Work at the VA and find the best for our Veterans and their families…. Thank you All.. God Blessing… P.S. … Someone posted this on (I think it is an app not sure) NextDoor it is well worth posting it on there for Veterans Affairs …You have to have you invite you Like Pierce County Emergency Management is on there so is the Pierce Conservation District (most states call it the county Soil Conservation district)
I call bullshit. Save your cornpone homespun bullshit for somebody else. Burger King HAHAHAHA. Let’s address the 2400 firings at the VA that have already occurred, and the projected 82.000 additional staff cuts that are coming. There is no way that that is going to affect the mission, according to you. How about you take Krasnov’s dick out of your mouth long enough to speak some truth here. I don’t believe a word that comes out of your mouth. You are a disgrace and an embarrassment, smiling in our faces and stabbing us in the back. The White House is populated with Russian assets and nazis, and you just go along with them tra la la, everything is hunky dory guys. Grow some balls and actually stand up and fight for your veterans, instead of just giving lip service to nazis.
Totally agree, he’s full of all of it. Dog and pony show here.
You have no clue who Doug Collins is, do you! Pay attention and quit being a dumb shit democrat.
Wow. Such strong words for a Man that has been in office about two weeks. How have you gathered that much hate in that little time. You haven’t had time to judge his work or truth.
Time to judge? We are watching this fiasco in real time!
Watch hiring of past senior leaders in IT … they have failed miserably since 2011 and they are still in positions and there is a need to do a clean slate … I’m available to discuss
Lying pos veterans take notice.
Cutting VA and jobs in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Makes no sense when I am a Disabled Combat Veteran and I cannot even see a real VA Doctor, they send me to a Licensed Practical Nurse. Thank you PACT Act for taking care of our Veterans!!!???
Wen did Veterans VA become so democratic?
This website should be about and for the veterans, not the politics of Democrats and Republicans. Trust is important. Opinions is questionable. Mr. Collins, please present the facts rather than Congresspersons to BK Whoppers.
You just make yourself a complainer rather than defender of DVA to Congress. Listen to the complaint, concerns and issues here and give actual facts that no DVA office, DVA compensations, PACT act, making timely appointments, DVA clinics, and DVA Hospitals will be negatively affected. Firing Disabled veterans does not issue trust or belief.
Complain to the law makers, not to the customers.
Thankfully clear message after Biden Administration failure to address veterans and leave DEI & woke to circus
keep up the good work
Collins concluded by urging Veterans to seek information directly from VA
i am still searching for a reason my local civilian approved pharmacy is continuously denied payment for an approved urgent care and approved 7 day rx supply… x3 years
Beneficios para las viudas de los veteranos
… o los viudos. (Hay veteranas, tambien.)
Donald Trump or Russell Vought would tell you they’re rooting out the Deep State. A story they spun to sell their plot to the QAnon conspiracy theorists, to rob us blind and subject us to puritan rule.
This dismantling was promised in Project 2025, authored by Russel Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget. He’s in change of managing the executive branch.
The plan outlines the steps they will take to insure a kinglike rule for presidents.
It starts with them dismantling our social services and overcoming the supreme court while gaining more and more power. By the end of it they will be untouchable and the christian nationalists leading the plan will have their way with our country and our people.
Even if some of his changes pay off and things are looking good, know that he is strengthening his office for devious means.
Get you head out of you a– and smell the roses. Trump is rooting out waste, corruption, and unnecessary spending of tax payers dollars. It is about time someone goes after those programs that enrich politicians and their cronies at the expense of the public. Trillions of dollars in arrears is no way to run a country my friend because it leads to bankruptcy and depressions. Obviously, you have not lived through hard times when people had to struggle just to survive. Your complaints about “Christian nationalist” is based on Christian -Judea values, laws, and principles which you obviously find distasteful, because they actually define right and wrong, and that is obviously something you don’t want anyone telling you because you find boundaries of behavior and personal conduct as distasteful and archaic. Those principles have restrained evil people because they also create judgment and punishments for those who cannot or will not restrain themselves from doing evil. You are to be pitied for your ignorance of the necessity of enforcing law and order. Thank God for Trump. He is doing no difference than previous Presidents did after the end of WWII. The government bureaucrats were so entrenched in government offices that it became necessary to reduce these agencies, just like Trump and Musk are doing. It is high time that someone cleans house so we can reduce the size of government agencies and get rid of non-essential workers, programs, and unnecessary spending habits that no one monitors or even questions.
Funny corrupted Trump, convicted of 34 counts of fraud (lying), rooting out corruption? He should be first to be weeded out.
Trump called himself “the savior” while holding a Bible. The Ten Commandments states, “You shall have no other gods before me”, “You shall not take the Lord your God on vain”. These commandments reflect the actions of Satan attempts to replace God the Father. Trump is no God! He is more closer to Satan.
‘ Trump is rooting out waste, corruption, and unnecessary spending of tax payers dollars.” lol yeah sure he is.
Thank you Mr. Doug Collin’s. Heavy on the Mister. YOU and President Trump have our backs. PLEASE keep up the good work and my hat is off to the rest of the VA folks that make this organization run as well as it does. Yes, there are some problems but it seems that you Mr Collins have, by far, are on top of them. In the past it just seemed that not many people really gave a rats —- about fixing anything. The higher ups could use some trimming as it seems this is where the system seems to bog down. You may want to look at nepotism in the system. God did bless the USA.???
As I stated earlier, you are just a Trump used car salesman spreading disinformation. I read today in the Stars & Stripes the article titled “VA pauses billions in cuts as lawmakers and veterans decry loss of critical care”, these VA cuts will affect cancer treatment, ability to assess toxic exposure, VA disability ratings, and much much more. You obviously had yourself a BIG GULP of orange kool-aid and bought into Trumps theory that if you say something enough, it becomes true. Before anyone labels me as democrat, I am retire military and have served democrat and republican presidents, but I know a liar when I see or hear one. I consider myself an independent voting for who I feel is the most truthful candidate, which is really difficult these days. You, Mr. Collins should resign your post immediately as I think that the majority of us veterans have a severe loss of trust in you.
will the V.A. go back to VETERANS CHOICE? I HAVE NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH QUALITY CARE.
I am a 78 year old veteran who needs everything that is available to me. I can’t work anymore nor can I walk very far as I came back from Nam with some sort of lung disease that has reduced my lungs to garbage. I have one third of my lungs so breathing is very difficult. I was really worried that all the cuts would be a disaster for my wife and I. After reading your response about what is really going to happen, I feel relied.
Your typo is truer than you think. I think instead of “relied,” you meant “relieved.” But this guy is lying. I’m a vet and former VA employee with lots of contacts still in VA. All the cuts in VA are catastrophic and you and your wife absolutely need to worry. In fact, better be praying for two years to pass quickly so both of you can go and vote to take power away from the Musk-lovers and MAGA-maniacs who are taking away all your veterans benefits as quickly as they can. You are a citizen and you have the power to stop it. Get your friends and resist this robbery and constantly lying.
Feb 20 was last month, a long time in the present situation where things seem to sometimes are changing on a daily basis, even for those in the middle of this horrendous mess. Appreciate your input.
I am a wait and see kind of person, so let’s see how everything is this time next year. I will say this though, I am on VRE and if that program is cut, it will be tremendously devastating to me.
Liar. You’re a corporate yes man and a Trump sycophant shelling out for your handouts from billionaires. It’s already harder to get appointments made. You don’t know what you’re doing. Trump doesn’t know what he’s doing. And none of you care. I hope the Christian religion is right because we all know where you and the people you represent will end up.
Sir, I would very much like to know where you found/took that quoted $98K from.
BULLSHIT!!!!
When GWB was in charge the new administrator ended the contracts for the surgeons here in NH. End result was eliminating all patient beds and closing the ER. When asked what veterans were supposed to do after hours the administrator said “It’s not my job to provide insurance for veterans.” When Obama came in we got back Urgent care but not an ER. They did renovate the buildings and built a new mental health care facility plus a woman’s health care unit. Under Biden a new ER opened up in the new facility. I’ve used the ER facility several times and got treated quickly but don’t show up Monday morning and expect an in and out because it is always crowded. In comparison I was at a local civilian hospital ER with an apparent stroke and got there at 11 AM on a Wednesday and got into a bed and got treatments at 10:30 PM. My care is great at the Manchester NH VAMC but the same can not be said about many VAMC’s around the country.
Well Doug, who do you contact outside of the state for an internal investigation?
President Trump & ALL his staff are traitors!
You want Biden back? Crazy.
Draft dodging, “President Donald Trump claimed to receive a 2016 award from military veterans that didn’t exist and falsely denigrated the record of the late Republican Sen. John McCain on veterans affairs”.
https://apnews.com/article/john-mccain-ap-fact-check-joe-biden-veterans-veterans-affairs-f322b3774b773cc29a527bc6f9b204ad
Biden supported the PACT Act to help disabled veterans. Trump tried to reduce IU disable veterans compensation to hurt the disabled veterans and cursed Senator McCain, a Republican, for being a POW and supporting VA. Between the three, I pick Senator McCain first and Trump last.
Also, I am not a Democrat, but Biden is not currently running the show, but Trump and Collins are running the show. Why does hateful Democrats blame the new policies on Biden when he cannot affected the Trump adverse anti-veteran policies.
Would you prefer to hear propaganda? Because the “woke liberal news” will not provide you with propaganda.
ASK YOUR CONGRESS MEN AND WOMEN WHAT DOGE IS REALLY DOING, because they can’t answer. They will tell you that DOGE is cutting wasteful spending. How can that be? Congress allots monies to the Departments, not DOGE. DOGE HAS NO LEGAL AUTHORITY TO CUT ANYTHING. DOGE IS AN ADVISORY section of the renamed U.S.D.S. nothing more. FACTS MATTER.
Sec. Collins, despite what you claim, services WILL be cut to Veterans when you cut 83,000 jobs at the VA. Those services ARE benefits as well. There WERE people who were sent home from the Veteran’s crisis line. Jobs WERE added to help with the PACT ACT, cutting jobs will not be beneficial for Veterans. DOGE doesn’t KNOW WTF it is doing, in ANY department that it has managed to gain access to. The absurd claims that Musk has proudly admitted to, are not based in FACT.
When the economy crashes due to this administration’s ineptitude, and it will, don’t pass blame on to the poor, put the blame squarely where it belongs, on the heads of the millionaires and billionaires who were approved by the Senate, to head the Departments. This administration has sought to eliminate any oversight by illegally firing 18 OIG’s, which WERE independent agencies tasked with identifying and prosecuting fraud and waste.
Project 2025 lays it out for everyone to learn about how the Heritage Foundation wishes to dismantle our democracy for private benefit. At 900+ pages, it might be too much for some of y’all to peruse, by hey, I’m not going to try to influence you when reality will present itself soon enough.
DOGE is recklessly eliminating jobs from skilled Federal employees, many of which ARE Veterans.
Any disabled Veteran can tell you FACTUAL stories about their treatment by the VA and the VHA, I for one do NOT want to risk my healthcare with a private entity with little to no oversight. I signed a CONTRACT with our government, I intend to hold the government accountable in upholding its part of the contract.
LIES HAVE CONSEQUENCES!
NEVER AGAIN
NEVER AGAIN.
Ethics and integrity still matter.
Claiming that harmful issues are due to “woke” and “DEI” are words that are used by ignorant individuals who wish to cast blame on people simply due to their gender or color of their skin. Racism, bigotry and misogyny are barriers to be overcome for a REASON. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, not who you are, or who you THINK you are. We have come so far as a nation, why would you want to go back to the past? We ARE better together.
For those of you who are bothered by “woke” or “DEI”, you have been fortunate not to have LIVED with the hatred that the anti-woke, anti-DEI folks have been emboldened to spew freely.
Another brain washed loony liberal. Read history, not MSNBC lies.
Doug Collins says “Come to me” The old secretary had an email address that you could make contact with. I have not seen any way to contact the new Secretary directly. If the VA wants to save money, why don’t they stop the process of paying high ranking officials bonuses? What a disgrace, Veterans are being denied helpful medication (weight loss) while the VA is still paying out bonus money!!
Instead of “cost effective prescribing” we should eliminate all bonuses paid to ANY VA employee.
We love our VA in Ashville & Satellite office in Franklin NC. My husband is 100% disabled due to agent Orange. He has the best specialists so we spend a lot of time in Ashville! They treat him the vets with utmost respect and kindness! We need MORE good doctors and nurses, staff so the wait isn’t so long in between appointments .
DO NOT TRUST THIS MAN. He is a Trump-mouthpiece.
wait for it! and hope you apologized…
There are lots of “Swamp creatures on this page!
Rupert Leray
I appreciate hearing the truth from the leader of VA and not woke liberal news.
Being “woke” has nothing to do with firing 80,000 VA employees that are getting fired which will reduce our access to care and services.
Those who use “woke” as their reasoning for everything bad, are just exposing their true hatred for others who don’t probably look like them! In actuality, they’ve been in a “deep” sleep their entire life and care not to be awakened by the true, sad realities of past and present sins. But they’re the same ones who will be in a church pew praising God on Sunday morning! O YE HYPOCRITES…
Are you protecting our Educational Benefits that we earned? All the Chapters of Education for Veterans and their dependents are critical and necessary.
So, where did the 98 million get moved from and how will that move effect them. He did not say anything about that and who it will impact.
Collins, You should be embarrassed in your behavior and actions against veterans. You support an administration notorious for disgraceful and disrespectful comments toward veterans and are forever going to be etched in history and the memory of veterans as a traitor to the veteran community. 83,000 jobs cut at the VA and most are veterans working to support veterans. Look out- Disability and Benefits will be next. STAND UP VETERANS>
Thank you for telling the real story behind efforts to cut the VA workforce.
Is this article from military.com “fake news” (https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/02/19/va-crisis-line-employees-among-those-fired-amid-federal-workforce-purge.htmlc) or is Mr. Collins’ “Whopper” video a source of misinformation/disinformation? Also, why are comments to VA videos on YouTube turned off? Turning comments off is rather suspicious behavior.
If Mr Collins is lying than you can sue him. But if the rag military dot com is lying, its called free speech to the dipsticks that read their lies.
Sound like you could do with some TX for that head injury. Too bad it’s going away. See you under the bridge.
someone needs to address the rogue disgraceful immoral unethical harassing va “police” they are the lowest scum at the va, look into them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The primary source of misinformation is the President of the United States and his team of preferred television and podcast personalities. I would not rely on any official statement from this administration.
First, thank you for your service to our nation. The Vietnam vets got a raw deal both in country and in CONUS.
Second, the main stream media has been lying the the U.S. citizens since the Vietnam war. Walter Cronkite told a whopper when said we were loosing that war. We did not lose the Vietnam war in Vietnam. No Sir. The Vietnam war was lost in Ft. Living-room. With the use of a electronic box called a TV. And propaganda spewed out by people like Walter Cronkite, and Stars and Stripes.
And things have not changed much in the years past. We are still being lied to by people working at CNN, MSNBC, Reuters, POLITICO, The NY Times, The Washington Post, and all of the rest that are being paid to spew propaganda of the deep state.
John , Your comments are disgraceful. You are obviously a Democrat with TDS. You should be thankful this platform allows for free speech. Donald J. Trump is your President. This is not the forum to project your political views. No one cares. You must represent the 20% of the system riders. Best regards. Iraq Combat Veteran
Next time commander bone spurs says the truth, it will be the first time. And boy howdy would I love for roundboy to slither back to whatever swamp he emerged from, but no, the idiot is everywhere and won’t shut the hell up. TDS, what an idiotic term. Lumpy is not sitting somewhere minding his own business, he’s a compromised russian agent ransacking this country. Ignoring him isn’t even possible, and paying attention isn’t derangement, it is survival. You feel entitled to dismiss anyone who disagrees with you as “obviously” a democrat. How you think that’s a valid argument, I’ll never know, but since you brought it up, in 8 presidential elections I have voted democratic exactly once, last November. And I’ll compare DD-214’s with you or anyone any day of the week, “combat veteran.” Kindly GFY, 2xCIB combat veteran.
Thank you Secretary Collins for your commitments to Veterans
VA maine and NJ is a disgrace! Killing Vets in fact. No call backs, cant talk to your Dr, these new worthless hotlines that dont pick up or put you on hold 40min then kill the line! Rx issues, zero Directors that care NO patient advocates, NONE!!!! Rudeness, non helpful etc… the VA is worsening my health for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!
sorry to read your complaint……. I am a 30 yr retired vet and never had an issue with the VA……I go to VA Asheville, NC and it is the best…… no issues to get an appointment neither do I have a problem with my Rx…. the Staff id always friendly and helpful,
maybe it depends who runs a VA
How are we supposed to believe Mr. Doug Collins?
He is part of and supportive of an administration that is famous for lying and deceit!
DOGE and Elon Musk (a product of Apartheid) made cuts to several federal agencies involving thousands of employees without reason, or at least no stated reason, and VA was part of those cuts.
Doug Collins, as far as I’m concerned, is totally lacking in credibility, as is everyone appointed by the Orange Pimp ?
I know a veteran personally who has had his mental health services cut. When they cut probationary employees, they cut the 3 counselors who worked at the veterans’ center where he attended. So, talking about *just* the suicide hotlines is disingenuous, to put it kindly.
thank you from a Vietnam
I have sent two post but have yet to see one
I work for VA and very happy all the WOKE-DEI crap is gone. Our focus should be on providing best care to our veteran and not worrying about utter nonsense. I would say 95% of the veteran I have seen were tired of all the WOKE-DEI-LGTB BLAH BLAH crap that was taking top priority across the VA. Our entire Govt is bloated and cuts need to be made in all departments, which in the end will be better for the govt and our country. Some good people will be caught in the lay-offs, but that happens in any business.
nuts ——-
So glad you’re in charge. I was so tired of poor leadership at the top and all the woke garbage that we have had to deal with in the VA. Lets get back to taking care of our Vets and stop with all this Woke DEI crap that actually 95% of the vets hated too.
As a former Federal Employee at the VA, I can assure you all that there is TREMENDOUS bloat and waste at the VA. There are plenty of great employees, however, there are also plenty of employees who are only there to collect a paycheck and do the bare minimum to get by and would happily do nothing and collect a paycheck. As a Veteran, the advantage we have is in the hiring process, not keeping the job. If a Veteran isn’t performing and/or is being a SLUG while working for the VA (or anywhere for that matter) while they’re supposed to be supporting and serving other Veterans, fire them FIRST.
I don’t believe in anything draft-dodger Trump says because he has sanctioned a self-serving maniac to cut all our hard fought for supports and checks and balances and that includes putting into place only people that support this slash and burn methods without remorse. I didn’t serve my country to have a self-declared king who has loyalties to dictators, murderers, and oligarchs in charge of my health benefits and social security. You and those in charge of OMB support the idea that if Veterans receive Veterans benefits, then we shouldn’t collect Social Security and have even written this down and spoken publicly about this. So, when you say you aren’t taking Veterans benefits away, you speak only with a forked tongue. Half-truths are still full-blown lies, and we are so sick and tired of this same old game, just different players. Your numbers do not add up in all your videos, showing me that if you can’t handle simple arithmetic, you obviously wont handle our benefits, care, and supports for Veterans. The whopper is you thinking that you can spin it to the real common-sense Veterans.
This really helps everyone.
Spot on! So hard to place any trust in Collins as most of what he says is proven to be false. The Chainsaw approach to cutting the VA is affecting programs such as cancer care, toxic exposure assessments, VA disability ratings and more (Stars & Stripes article titled “VA pauses billions in cuts as lawmakers and veterans decry loss of critical care”). Collins must think that all veterans are stupid.
Will, USAF Ret.
I live in Mexico and I’m having a hard time talking to a vso officer. I can’t seem to find anyone to tell me what my status is on some of my claims that I put in for in October at the VA in Tucson Arizona
You can check the status of your claims online via
https://www.va.gov/claim-or-appeal-status/
You may need to sign up if you haven’t already but it gives you full access to view all your benefits as well as ehealthyvet on the medical side. Hope this helps
You can setup an account online and check your status using website http://www.va.gov
Why all of the sudden is the VA closing claims as denied when there is a mountain of legal evidence in favor of the claim while the reason the VA denied the claim is because of data the VA entered on my behalf? I claimed sleep apnea as secondary to Rhinitis and sinusitis but was denied that claim because the VA stated there is no known nexus between my right knee condition and apnea? Who added that part about my knee? I never claimed that as the root of my sleep apnea, it appears that the VA claim investigators are adding information to a claim so that they can deny it. I will repeat my initial claim has nothing to do with my knee so the VA chose willingly to add that to my claim so that they could deny it.
Does not matter what Collins thinks. Trump and Musk have already put VA in their list of cuts.
Benefits will be next under the auspice of re-evaluating veterans disabilities. Trump doesn’t like losers who get injured or captured.
There are barely enough staff to process veteran’s needs and the hospitals are already cut to the bone.
If you read what he says with an open mind, you can see he is using salesman’s speak. We aren’t cutting we are improving. He wants to change the words. We are redirecting, that means you had to cut something to move resources. We are safeguarding jobs, from who? From yourself? It goes on and on.
So let me get this straight. We will have better care and services with 70,000 less people working for the VA and VAH?
Two examples of less service under your leadership.
1. 14 day turn around on a routine prescription refill that under the last VA director took 7 days.
2. My VRC appointment for yesterday was cancelled. I wonder if that was because of DOGE cuts.
Words are cheap and worthless, actions are what matters. Do better.
Sir, I have spoken to several veterans. They informed me that their medical appointments were cancelled and not to be rescheduled for 30-90 days.
This entire administration is lying to the country. Anyone who supports Trump, Elon, etc is a traitor to the country. Do not forget your oath to the CONSTITUTION! #vetsagainstmaga
I tried taking the Secretary’s advice and called the VA to find out how firing thousands of VA health care workers would improve my healthcare. Maybe I’ll try again when they’re not so busy.
President Trump is fixin the mess he inhereted. It’s gonna hurt some. However, there is gonna be some collateral damage.
Fortunately this time collateral damage does not necessarily mean deaths or injuries. I expect soon to see some correction and compensation for Veterans and other US Citizens innocently caught up in the America restoration.
Do you fit into the “collateral damage” category? Are you feeling the stress and pain that many Veterans are experiencing? Have you had any critical medical appointment immediately CANCELED without notice? Are you scared because your medications are not going to be filled for another 30-90 days?
Thanks for setting the record straight.
Veterans should be in Washington DC in force when the budget cuts concern cutting Veterans benefits. We served our country faithfully when we were called upon,and some like myself even enlisted during wartime.We need to send a clear message to Congress which is to keep their DOGE cuts away from the benefits we fought for .We need to March on Washington to show that we will not stand for any cuts to our benefits. FULL STOP ?. POST SCRIPT. They will decide our fate on March the 14th,2025.Be there if you don’t want your benefits that you were willing to die for cut while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Donald Trump is a 5 time draft dodger. He called Senator John McCain a sucker & a loser because his jet was shot down.
I appreciate the clarification and efforts to make the VA more effective and efficient. What I don’t care for is the politicalization of the VA. I can understand the Secretary’s administration of President Trump but the VA is neither Republican or Democratic. It would be better to thank the veterans who have served rather than the president. Thank you.
Thank you for your work on making the VA more efficient. Please know that I have not been using the VA for a while because I have not been able to easily access VA care in the Georgetown TX area. I have been using my Medicare benefits. The biggest issue for me has been dental care. There is so much confusion on how to get dental care to which we are entitled as a 100% veteran. If you can fix access to care. Access to RX. Access to Dental and make it easy for us to understand how to go about getting the care we need I think the smartest of us will feel that there are no “whoppers” worth acknowledging! I really hope the President follows through. I hope that future veterans will know that jobs, housing and benefits are guaranteed. I love my country, and it was an honor to serve but the system is still not working as it should. No veteran should be jobless, homeless or toothless!
Well, let me tell you a tale about service to veterans. This 100% Disabled who lives in Pensacola, Fl, has been receiving Pain Management care and procedures at Eglin AFB Hospital, 96th MG for over 10 years. It had be a wonderful case of continuity of care, having a decent quality of life. I was given less than a 30 day notice that they no longer will be treating anyone other than active duty due to a $5,000,000 over budget crisis. I’m now in a dire situation needing to look for this critical care. The PMS will be strong with this one! I’ll take another stand for my brothers, sisters & myself…..again, even to the point of being escorted out of the local VA, again for expressing my concerns over how many of us Vets are going to die from withdrawals or commit suicide from the sudden actions of careless others “in charge”. Trying to regain the previous care at another facility usually takes months going through the motions, getting approved for Community Care again and reestablishing the history and proper care. The VA usually can’t keep Pain Management personnel when they realize that their orders in treating a patient usually conflicts with their Hippocratic Oath. Yeah, treat the Vet how we want them treated not how they need to be treated. Guessing I need to go on another letter writing campaign like I did eight years ago to get fires lit under some asses and get CMO’s demoted and reassigned. I will not go away quietly.
I think you and President Trump are doing an amazing job, and making great strides toward a better VA. DEI crap has for far too long protected useless, lazy, dangerous VA employees ! My grandfather was a WWI veteran, my father a WWII veteran, my sister a Vietnam vet, and I a vet of a not so quiet Cold War. All of us have utilized the VA hospital (s) as needed for our injuries. There is a union of nurses, aids, doctors, janitors, employees all belonging to unions. Whether it is a true declared union, or an underground it’s there – alive and well. It’s just as crooked and deadly as any “mafia” has ever been in this country. We all know you cannot disclose reasons for firing someone, because of “privacy” rules and laws largely enacted by democrats. We all know the ones fired are not going to be honest about things they have done which were unjust, unfair, illegal, immoral, or just plain wrong. They will proclaim innocence forever under the “privacy” protection. I have seen this “mafia” at work in the VA just as many other vets have. As far as I am concerned it would probably be simpler to fire the whole lot of them and start all over.
I can’t believe your a Veteran!! If you are, your an IDIOT! 5 time draft-dodging Trump does not give a damn about Veterans or for that matter any American!! SEMPER FI from a Nam Vet 1965 1969 GOD help us!!
I’m a vet and volunteer my time 2 to 3 days a week to drive vets to the hospital 81 miles from my town.
It has been said that they are going to take our fuil cards away. Our vehicles are donated. Is there any truth to this
How are you going to help Veterans when you are cutting 80,000 jobs, cancelling 200 contracts that include PTSD treatment, cancer treatment, surgical device sterilization? How can you help Veterans when you won’t even stand up for your own employees? What authority does OPM have to demand a weekly email of employee’s weekly accomplishments? Based on Vought’s own words during an interview, he said the goal is to traumatize federal employees so they will quit. There is a high probability that these emails will not be read, so the obvious conclusion is that the goal of these emails is to traumatize federal employees. Will you do nothing to protect your employees from the unelected bureaucrat who is not qualified to determine the PDs for all federal employees? You have long advocated for privatizing the VA, is this part of your plan? As a Chaplain, I would expect you to have more empathy for your fellow Veterans.
I read today that SCOTUS has ruled that the VA is not required to use “Existing Conditions” for reevaluating Veterans Claims if those conditions worsen. Is this true? If an existing condition worsens over time, are we allowed to have our claims reevaluated?
Doug Collins you are so full of crap and that is what anyone can expect kissing trumps ass. You should be ashamed to lie to us. Going to lay off 80,000 employees? That is sure going to help veterans to get care. I volunteered going on 5 years at a VA clinic. I knew everyone and I can tell you that I never met anyone lazy or wasn’t working hard to help veterans. Even if they had to stay late, they never not helped veterans to the highest level. How do I know, I was around the nurses, doctors and front desk full time staff. I have also had VA care myself at the Mpls hospital and the care was better and more helpful from my experiences there than at private clinics and facilities. You are a disgusting with your shitty lies that you care about veterans.
Don’t know what to believe any longer. You sound like a used car salesman. How does the illegal department of Musk fire so many folks and you can stand there and say that it will have no effect on us veterans? Do you think that all of us veterans are stupid?!
I see a lot of Vets are bitching about the VA and bitching about this new Secretary. He’s only been a month in office!
Yea, we listen to him and see what’s happening.
Are they the president cuttin g piura benifitrs
Thank you this clears up a lot of questions I had. So thank you . Our VA is in good hands!
Dear Sir,
Most of us put our life on the line to serve this country, I feel that it was in vain to the extent that it has fallen into the hands of the few favorites. I don’t know if this is a rebirth of America, but it seems more like afterbirth. The less fortunate, struggling, and hard-working Americans are losing jobs, health care, justice, and equality, and support for voting and trusting that their elected official and leaders in government would be there for the people. Most of us are not millionaires and billionaires and thats understandable, but what is not understandable is for the government and its elected officials to snatch away my footing causing me to fall or fail by haphazardly firing employed workers, shutting down agencies and programs, cutting services and systems, that create a trinkle down effect that guarantees poverty and hardship. while simultaneously making the rich richer and the poor poorer. It appears at times to be surreal. A 30-day notice is a difficult thing to deal with when you’re working two minimum wage jobs, or single parent or suffer with a disability or handicap.
you know why politicians and bureaucrats at the federal, state, and local levels are like assholes?
They open their mouths and shit spews forth.
Is it true that VA is going to stop having virtual appointments via VA Video Connect? Virtual appointments have been wonderful because I have not had to drive 40 minutes one way to the VA Clinic for an appointment when no physical exam is required.
Question for you. Veterans that are 100 percent disabled will they see their pay taken away
I hope Elon Musk don’t end up controlling and running the VA. It appears that he wants to be above the President.
I hope Elon Musk don’t end up controlling and running the VA. It appears that he wants to be above the President.
How about getting rid of the middle-man when ordering prescriptions? Please-Please-Please get rid of Express Scripts mail order drugs and let veterans get their prescriptions from their local mom&pop pharmacies if they wish to, like it used to be!! Or small neighborhood pharmacy is far better than any box box stores around here but Bide’s administration blocked the small neighborhood pharmacy out! We want our local small pharmacy back!!
you fired crisis line workers then REHIRED them, but they were FIRED. Biden hired 50k workers for the VA to cut into the turn around time of claims, now you want to UNDO it. IG said many depts in the va still understaffed, yet you want to make them more understaffed. you have not proposed a thing to help veterans, just make it hard and hard then say we need to privatize it. all that means is people will get rich while you cut programs and care to pay for their profits. IF privatize was so great why did the right kill the gvt option in ACA claiming the private sector could not compete. i have had private health care and va, would never choose private health care AGAIN.
Doug,
If you’re not going to be honest, at least work on your tight five. The “aw shucks” routine is stale. VA privatization obviously isn’t about efficiency, it’s about getting your buddies more government contracts. Never count on an Air Force chaplain for an honest or realistic assessment. I would enjoy watching everything crash and burn around you if you weren’t hurting so many people in the process.
Great speech! We have 3 members of my household that utilize the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center and the Bloomsburg Community Clinic. They do an outstanding job in all the many clinics we’ve used over the years. The Medical Center and Clinic staff, Medical as well as auxiliary personnel are professional and polite. Having worked in allied healthcare for over 50 years and the VA exceeds most community hospitals in care and attitude.
Wilkes-Barre VA deserves a Compassionet Caring Award.
State, in detail, what areas are going to be cut. Stating a flat number before you’ve had any chance to conduct a thorough review makes it painfully clear this is sacrificing Beyeran support and productive Veteran jobs both in order to meet firing goals defined external to the VA by the administration. If you have enough information to state a number of employees to be fired, then provide the information you’d obviously need to already have if you arrived at that number responsibly.
I’m sorry that you’re working with that cowardly President. He makes me want to hurl.
You guys don’t put Veterans first in anything but perhaps your paychecks. The VA medical system is a disgrace even for a third world country.
Just heard the news (March 6th) 82,000 more employees are being fired at the VA. How many VETERANS are you firing?
Seriously? This guy’s background is either as a preacher, or a used car salesman. He couldn’t pass a job interview in the real world. But in King Trump’s world ……
Here at our VA Medical Center, we can’t get appointments, and when we do, the appointment is with a ‘nurse’ … I have not been seen by a VA medical doctor since 2019…… Short of staff….
As a registered Republican since 1969, I’m at a complete loss as to how any service member could support King Trump. If people would have listened to every pre-election Trump speech (instead of Fox News), they would know that the King promised revenge against any person and part of the US Government that – in his mind – did anything to him. Well, he is keeping his promises ….. He is destroying our Nation without even have to fire a shot….
I am retired with disability (100%) from the US Army. I have over 50 inches of scars on my body and never-ending pain as a constant reminder of every time I raised my hand and took the oath to fight and defend …. Seems many of my fellow Veterans forgot their oaths only to be subservient to the King.
The King wants Panama, Greenland, Canada, the Gaza Strip… And the King wants to rape and pillage the ravaged country of Ukraine. The King will give the left over spoils of war to his friends in the Kremlin….. Your home is probably next on his list of take overs ……
And some Veterans still defend King Trump ……
Some of those veterans you’re laying off,you need to put answering phone calls here in Waco Texas. We can’t get anyone to answer phone calls. They have been saying that they’re working on fixing the phones for the last 7 years . Also let (fire) the advocates in Waco and temple go. They never answer their phone to listen to our problems.
Maybe with this reduction and people back in the office the VA will be more efficient and take care of the veterans and widows. Took over a year to receive DIC benefits!!
I can’t thank enough to the top dogs of Veterans Administration for taking care of our veterans like me for serving and protecting the country that I loved.
It’s quite sad to hear people are still complaining about our new administration. The whiners don’t realize that United Staes of American is bless compared to the rest of the world. Maybe it’s time for the government to offer them a one-way ticket to a third world country and maybe, this will educate them how good we got it here in America.
Once again, thank you Secretary Dough Collins.
Ok I’m rated at 100% and yet last 3 major claims submitted related to Agent Orange was mishandled and letter sent was so full of lies I”m sorry not impressed. Oh yes I’m former retired VA employee and with that said another issue.
Yes I want answers because San Diego, CA regional office is unwilling and that mess in Claims Intake center in Janesville, WI is not improvement since its their letters come back lacking forms they claim to have seen and that my Naval medical records are confusing, asking for medical evidence from a major my insurance company asking for same data twice is very stupid! My phone number in case someone would like to cal and tell me asking for Congressional and In Person meeting in DC is waste of my time because will fix the issues is again lies, delays and denial. In case if you really care I’m suffering from Agent Orange and they tell me time is short.
Thank you VA Secretary Doug Collins. I believe in you and our President Trump to steer this country in the right direction, but the VA has had many corrupt leaders. The BVA recently told me I was never hospitalized in Japan, but I was medivac’d to Yokota Airbase Hospital in Yokota Japan on June 8 1971 and hospitalized for four days, AFTER being hospitalized in South Vietnam for 22 days, then air lifted on a huge Medical Aircraft (C141?) to Great Lakes Naval Hospital after leaving Yokota JAPAN. The VA lied to me, purposely withholding ALL MY MTR and STR’s by the VA in order to avoid my claim for disability. I requested my medical records in January 1972 and finally got some of them in 2015, 43 years later. Dozens of SF 180s, F.O.I.A. REQUESTS, and hand written requests got me nothing. My oldest son died at 47 years old and I know it was Agent Orange related. I tried to get my medical records from the V.A. again in April 1983 when I filed claims, but the VA refused to hand them over and denied my claims. It’s still on going too and is documented by the US Army in May and June 1971 when the US Army issued me a P-3 Permanent Profile, and made me suffer since May 1971. They were deceitful and sent me two letters telling me they are withholding the remainder of my records due to certain F.O.I.A. EXEMPTIONS. My sons death was the result of something I passed on to him (Agent Orange) but the VA will not release the remainder of my records. That’s part of the bitterness towards the VA and the Suicide Rate being so high too. I’m still dealing with my claim 54 years later, and feel I’ve been waiting for death instead of resolution by the VA. Please fix the B.V.A. because my case is documented from May 1971 in VIETNAM, but basically ignored.
Doug Collins is a liar. He is cutting VA benefits and I hope enough veterans wake up in time to stop him and this administration’s attack on veteran’s and his fleecing of America to enrich his fellow cronies.
Mr. Secretary,
I watched your video and would like to share the Marine Corps Leadership Traits:
– Justice – Judgment – Dependability – Initiative – Decisiveness – Tact – Integrity – Enthusiasm – Bearing – Unselfishness – Courage – Knowledge – Loyalty – Endurance
You neglected to address the approximate 70,000 to 85,000 VA employees that the Trump Administration is estimating to cut without any analysis of what processes could be optimized. This is the standard process businesses use to streamline operations. Having experience as a real estate developer does not qualify you to understand corporate operations.
Reflecting on the leadership traits I ask, where is the Integrity in reporting to those of us you are supposed to be representing? Do you believe you are displaying the Courage to stand up and adivise the President before he takes action. Do you have the Knowledge and understand all of the existing VA processes, have you outlined where operations can be streamlined or automated, and have you made practical recommendations outlining your vision to the President?
We are here to help you succeed if you ask and seek sound advice.
Respectfully,
Semper Fi
2 Timothy 4:3-4
3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
Everyone relax. There is going to be some hiccups but Doug is an honorable man and veteran. President Trump has our best interests at heart. There are layers of bureaucracy at the VA that needs to be cut and they are doing it. This will make the VA much more efficient and customer friendly.
Sir, respectfully, you are coming at us like you are a used car salesman. We aren’t stupid. We see the DOGE cuts. We know that Trump despises the military because we swear an oath to the Constitution and will not to him. When I entered service my mind and body were intact and in good working order. Not any more. I’ve paid the price.
I’m a former VA clinical psychologist and disabled Veteran who had to resign during 2021 due to the COVID vaccine nonsense. If losing my retirement wasn’t enough, it’s been impossible to access even an adequate level of care now that I’m also a VA patient. I’ve had 4 primary care providers in a short period of time. All of them female, and all of them absolutely incompetent/indifferent to my health concerns. They have no-showed my appointments and then documented a Veteran missed appointment to cover themselves. These providers have also consistently failed to properly document my concerns within CPRS. Is being assigned a stable, competent, PHYSICIAN too much to ask? PA’s have their place, but I would like to see a MALE physician. Despite the fact men make up the overwhelming majority of Veterans, we cannot even request to see a male provider. Meanwhile, female Veterans are ALWAYS accommodated when they request a female provider. Many locations even have a dedicated women’s clinic. CHAMPVA IS ALSO A COMPLETE JOKE! CHAMPVA has not reimbursed a single claim we’ve submitted in over 4 YEARS! I wish Trump would completely dismantle the VA and get rid of all the employees who are hiding being their permanent federal status. We all know they will never be removed from service any other way. Even in a clinic director’s position I was unable to remove providers who were committing fraud, intentionally harming Veterans, and point blank refusing to do their jobs. I was a whistle blower on three past occasions and of course, nothing was done. In fact, all that did happen were attacks on me for daring to rock the boat.
I great to hear that they are doing their best to maintain the quality of veterans Healthcare. However, veterans benefits go beyond just Healthcare and I don’t see anything being said regarding other benefits.
For example, I was just denied for Chapter 31 VR&E. And myself and other veterans have been waiting months for a response to disability claims. The answers we have received is that the have been instructed to increase scrutiny on these other benefit claims and deny claims for cases that would have previously qualified.
I would like to hear more being said regarding benefits otherthan Healthcare. Unfortunately, I fear that if tightening budget is the concern, there’s little that can be done.
You sound like a caricature of a dishonest salesman. If a late night comedian wanted to mock you they would simply recreate this video in its entirety. This sounds like a sales pitch because it IS a sales pitch; you are trying to sell a fantasy. People have legitimate questions about their healthcare and benefits and their jobs, and you are being very cavalier and dismissive. Your “reassurances” are dishonest at best, all the way up to outright lies.
We all know cuts are coming. We would appreciate it if you treated us with a little respect and addressed the realities head-on. It is disappointing to watch the Secretary of the VA act this way.
William you truly hit the nail on the head when you said “used car salesman”. I couldn’t agree more with your characterization of Doug and the bs he is throwing at us.
Instead of posting these outdated videos, you should post his most recent video where he confirms that 80,000 jobs will be cut from the VA workforce, while continuing to promote the Trump agenda of “keeping critical mission” positions, whatever that means. Interesting that while around 30% of the federal government workforce are veterans, no preference has been given to them in any of the firings that have happened. Secretary Collins should be more concerned about that — the long-term price to serve and the recognition that should be given to this — instead of summing up his latest video with “cuts are going to happen, get used to it!”
Just an excellent post. Trump has no respect for veterans and the sacrifices we have made. He is an incompetent fool and will cause the economy to tank.
Oh, and one more thing. In the same newsletter that this video was linked from, immediately below the link, there is an article from the VA noting that claims were processed more quickly than ever before in the VA last year despite being the most that has ever been processed in one year. It seems to me that is pretty efficient. Don’t fix what isn’t broke. So really, what are you actually fixing, where is the data, and how does your mass firing improve anything?
https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-processes-one-million-disability-claims-faster-than-ever-before/
And to all you veterans who are gettting great care commenting below, how do you think firing 80,000 people is going to maintain the care and service you are getting right now? I have been getting great care, but I do not believe it will continue if we cut staff.
Yesterday in a Youtube video you said you are going to reduce to 2019 levels (a 15% cut) to 398,000 down from 470,000. In this video today you said you protecting 300,000 jobs as mission critical! So what happened to that other 98,000 between yesterday and today??? At this rate the VA will have no people in a week which was what you always wanted according to previous rants by you!
Also I noticed that you spoke clearly and precisely when telling your (whopper) story but stammered and paused a bit when you said no cap on benefits and no diminishment of services. Some would say this is a tell. If you are going to try to sell something first you got to believe it!!!
Well said. He knows he’s lying
Do you think cute references to whoppers is useful? Cutting staff without a plan is stupid and wasteful. You need more people. You need more radiologists, you need more Otho folks, you need more primary care providers and PAs. I know this because I can’t get an appointment with my care provider even 3 months out. You seem to think the way to save money is to cut people doing work. You’re wrong. You need to cut wasteful placeholders and hire qualified people as fast as you can.
You represent a government that made us a solemn promise and I made and repeated an oath o the country. You owe us. Your sycophantic defense doesn’t get the job done; keep your promises and attend to your moral responsibility.
I see a lot of Veterans here are talking out of their a*ses because they are hardcore Democrats, but don’t have a clue why!!! They repeat what they’ve been told all their lives, that the Democrats are the “Working Man’s Party”. That’s TOTAL BULL. Democrats surrendered their minds to the LGBTQ+Party and refuse to think for themselves. Democrats are the ruin of America with interest on the Deficit being $952 BILLION, almost a TRILLION in interest alone. We pay $2.6 BILLION every day at a minimum, and we will implode into total destruction if cuts are not made, but all Democrats and most Veterans can’t see that or understand that. Instead of food costing more, THERE WILL BE NONFOOD AT ALL!!! Can you not understand that? The LGBTQ COMMUNITY run and own the Democrats. If you are a Democrat you support this total takeover of the Democrats Party. This IS NOT the FDR or JFK PARTY. It’s the TRANS PARTY. This is the LGBTQ PARTY of today and the Democrats bow down to the Transgenders. You hateful Democrat Veterans surrendered your voice to the Trans + LGBTQ Policies and are reaping what you have supported. The most corrupt Administration in American History is being removed, and you should be happy and thrilled that Justice will be returned, unless you have vowed to fight Trump, like so many Liberal Veterans have done. I want a Patriot covering my back, not a Liberal Democrat!
I wish you’d take all that hate and actually look up the facts unless you like being a liar. Trump has not cut any spending and has actually increased bloat spending on the rich cronies that run his agenda. Federal employee salaries only make up ~6% of spending while Trump cuts these jobs while shoveling money to the rich. His first time in office he pushed and passed permanent tax breaks for the rich and temporary tax breaks for everyone else to trick fools like you. Trumps policies have increased the debt, stop being a liar for them.
What foxhole are you living in?
You seem to be a lone voice – are you lonely?
Victor, you seem angry. Why are you so scared of who people love?
Your dear leader does NOT care about you or any veterans.
So is it culture ware issues you’re worried about or the deficit? Nobody’s increased the deficit more than Trump did in his first term and firing government workers and cutting taxes for the rich isn’t going to help. I’m confused how you’ve made LGBTQ+ people the problem. Maybe you could provide evidence or context? Thanks.
-Fellow Patriot
You’re right. The Democratic party left the military and the working class years ago.
Wow, are you a veteran? Your hateful rant against democrats helps absolutely nothing. I am retired Air Force and all of my career I was apolitical. I served democrat and republican presidents. Now I consider myself an independent because I (unlike you seem to) can think for myself and use good ole’ common sense. I don’t hate democrats nor republicans because this what our country is all about. If you want to do something positive then stop with the hateful divisive talk and have some common courtesy towards your fellow Americans. The division needs to stop!
You gonna have a Russian covering your back. You watched Red Dawn but now Trump made you forget?
You are on the wrong side of history. I didn’t get fed information all my life. I went to college and graduated with a Bachelor’s. Did you? You can’t have. Bc they teach you how to think.
All you are doing is being a passive aggressive.
Being scared of Trans?? Idiot.
I bet you hate black people and Mexicans and women and gay people. You a Nazi lover, too? A Commie, Nazi lover?
Because you don’t know how to think. You have hate in your heart.
Has anyone asked him about Project 2025? It clearly states their intent to cut VA disability benefits. Even Fix News host now SecDef said this. Google it. I don’t trust anything out of this incompetent administration who has a disdain for vets starting at the top. Google that as well or ask the generals who were in their first administration. Prepare to protest if the VA benefits are cut!
Disparaging a particular group sounds hateful, coming from a person demeaning the Democratic party. Meanwhile you ignore the $4.5 trillion deficit added by trump’s $4 trillion tax cuts to the oligarchs. What will your interest be then? Not to mention that trump ADDED over one quarter of the national debt during trump 1.0. The problem with people like you is that you are devoid of facts and only repeat right-wing talking points. LGBTQ persons are not responsible for the thousands of veterans who have lost their jobs, or the price of eggs, or the multiple aircraft mishaps, or the price increase due to trump’s tarriffs.
How shameful it is that you hate such a small population who’s only request is to live and let live.
Please describe the ‘patriot’ that you want covering your back.
Folks in infotainment silos would prefer to cast blame for all of their pain onto ‘the other’ because accepting their own part in their misery is too often difficult for them. Bless their hearts.
The millionaires and billionaires are pleased with discourse that their monies have paid for. In order to give them further tax cuts that they don’t need, Congress sees fit to cut services from the least likely to complain, the poor, the elderly, the disabled, the fed up. Remind CONGRESS that they work for US, WE THE PEOPLE.
Democrats and Republicans is your pain, you can vote, not vote and there will still be self interest and greed. There are people always trying to make positive changes and negative changes. The question is, who accepts either change.
What you want and what someone else wants is always going to eat away at you.
Think about it, DEI , LGTB, was needed because people like you set your own road block. If I am of a different race or sex , you will not hire me because this is a golden ticket to go back to the good old days when America was great paying women and people of color low wages or not being required to hire them. You don’t want to hear about struggles because it brings back your childhood memories of your family treating people bad.
I served 20 years in the military and I can’t believe people wouldn’t have cared if I died on the battlefield protecting their lives.
So, stop blaming politics, it’s our own American society that is blind to true grit and service to our nation, and we are playing each other.
911, oh, thank you military. Yeah these ungrateful civilians soon forgot and pushed us active duty and vets aside.
I bet if China or Russia was parachuting in you neighborhood of dropping gerns in the air, you bet your ass the vets and people who felt disrespected by society will be the first ones to save your ass.
Well said Robert
Stop lying to veterans. This whole administration is a disgrace and you’re screwing over our entire country.
Doug,
Don’t let the few off-the-wall, frankly disgusting comments bother you.
You’ve been there five weeks and are expected to instantly fix frustrations “left”
by the previous occupants of your job.
Hand Salute,
Vietnam air combat vet @ 80% disability
How many veteran employees have been fired from the VA?
How many veterans have been fired from federal jobs in the last 6 weeks.
Now please explain how this is looking out for veterans.
There may be some bumps, but DOGE is going to make things better – not worse. Keep up the good work.
I believe everything Fox news tells me too because I can’t think for myself
Forgot to mention 20 % staff fired; certainly that will have a negative effect. Felon Trump, the draft dodger.
Why should we believe anything that comes from this administration?
I have had the misfortune of trusting the v.a in Northport long Island. I was admitted and then released. I couldn’t walk.The D.e.i program at its best. People that do not qualify for the position that they hold. A complaint I filed was dismissed because of lack of response..I happened to be in the hospital. I reaffirmed my want to make the complaint known. Asked for a copy to be sent. No copy;no returned phone calls.what do you think I think of our(v.a)military veterans.
dei means they HAVE TO BE QUALIFED for the job FIRST. 61% of the federal workforce is WHITE, white make up 59% of the population. ie you think only whites are qualified for ANY job? funny how we had plane crashes with just white pilots. why was that? so no one other tehn white men deserve a job? tha tis what anti dei means. notice how after it came out both the pilot and atc were white men, they said it was radio communications, dei vanished from the picture. MO ag is suing starbuck fornot having enoujgh white male employees. so now have white male quotas?
So very sorry you had this experience. I do know for a fact that DEI has nothing to do with your situation and it is a shame that your kind thinks like this. This seems to be a current ignorant theme of your kind- always blaming someone else for your demise. It is so sad that you cannot see the harm and danger that is about to be placed in your realm by this administration. This administration is/will rob you blind, but people of your kind cannot see that. You are so overwhelmed with hatred for people of color- and the fact that this administration struck a hateful cord within people like you. That is too bad. Unfortunately, people of your kind cannot see what is about to hit you – increase in prices all around- and it will not be because of a DEI. It will be because all you see is a white man saying DEI is bad- he knows how to get to people like you. All he has to do is keep repeating DEI…get rid of all the Black and Brown people- he knows he has your heart with this kind of talk. All the time he is robbing you and your kind blind. Well sir, keep on hating, hate until you lose what little dignity you possess.
Define DEI
As a veteran “frequent flyer” of the VA Health system, I can attest that there is no better source for obtaining timely, caring medical support than the current VA system !
As another veteran “frequent flyer” I can attest that VA healthcare quality varies dramatically by region. For example in Rochester NY, I had a torn labrum in my right shoulder. It took months to get physical therapy, they never did a single image, & I got one cortisone shot. This was in over a year. The Rochester VA refused to put Trumps picture up until at least a year after the 2016 election.
I then moved to Nashville, went to the VA emergency room & got same day imaging & an appointment for an MRI which confirmed I needed surgery. The Nashville VA also recently replaced my right knee & did a great job.
I wholeheartedly support the ongoing purge of the VA, believing that the more people you have, the better service is is insanity
I’m grateful for the new administration. I’m a Vietnam veteran that is 100% P&T who is also from GA. Thank you for putting this video out so people can see you and become familiar with you. Over all, my VA health care has been a good experience.
I see all the negative comments and wish my follow veterans would wait and see how you are going to run the VA before posting such negative statements.
Points of interest:
1. It’s difficult to reach staff people you need to talk too by phone. There are some lazy people, mostly at mid level.
2. Add staff to the ChampVA or find a way to stream the process. They are 6 -7 months behind on adjudicating applications.
I have more we should talk about, but I will need a call from you.
Thank you, Tommy English
No one believes you, sir.
Mr. Sec. I watched your video like the idea of the whoppers. But being 100% disabled vet where anyone in VA management can rob from the veteran like myself I don’t have much faith still in the VA. I have treatment at the VA hospitals in Murfreesboro Tennessee and Nashville Tennessee. I have had to travel section take money from me by refusing to pay travel for procedures at the hospitals. I have called in the OIG in 2024 with nothing being done or heard from. I’ve had multiple complaints with patient rep at both hospitals and all of been done told is will will fix the problems it’s going on.. I have over several thousand dollars that I’ve had to pay out-of-pocket for travel that the travel section in the hospital has withheld from me if you could point me to someone to talk to over this I would greatly appreciate. Thank you and Semper Fi
I served two years active duty in the USNR with 18 months in Vietnam. When I came home I did not realize at the time I had PTSD.
I got a good education on the GI bill and worked in the social services sector, then 35 years in Data Processing. After I retired in 2007 i was diagnosed with Type II diabetes. I enlisted the help of the Colorado Veterans service. They helped me get the the process of getting my VA benefits. I found out that while in country in Vietnam I was heavily expose to Agent Orange. I was able to approve for disability. Later in
2012 I was diagnosed with B-Cell Cll leukemia. With the help of my VA Doctors I ended up with full Disability. From 2007 until now I have seen great improvement with VA medical Care.
I was not impressed with your Video. You sounded like the many incompetent managers and CEO’s I work under. Your connection with the MAGA fools causes me not to trust a word that come out of your mouth. Leave the VA alone. They are doing just fine. All you are going to do is make a big mess and someone with have to clean up after you leave. After all you job is just temporary ..
The jury is out on this until some time elapses and we see what fruit if any comes to bear, until then, the only fools I see are the folks rushing to judgement.
Love your comments and agree
I had to drive 2 hours to get help from my VA Cochlear specialist nurse because you froze her gas card.
Sad! I’m a 100% disabled veteran.
That’s not what President Musk says
Sure – Not in your Alternate Reality Universe!
Unfortunately, things at the VA Medical Center level are not as great as you mention in your videos. We recently moved my parents, both Veterans, from Tennessee to Louisiana. Their level of care and services have definitely decreased (i.e., 44 hrs home care services down to 9 hrs). The “we care” worker ethic is also very different (TN was better and more obvious; biggest difference is the Social Worker – why you would be a social worker if you are not willing to help people especially Veterans). The exception is a person we met at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center Mental Health Clinic who was obviously invested in working with and helping Veterans – he was fired last week as part of the probation employee reduction. A numbers game is not the right answer. The Social Worker should go and this gentleman should’ve been promoted.
I watched the video and I hope you are speaking the truth. But Trump own administration is saying they’re looking at firing approx. 70,000 to 85,000 VA employees. If that’s true, how is this not going to affect the VA in their commitment to veterans? First, you are going to have 70,000 to 85,000 people loosing their job. I know some… many will be veterans. And for those who thanks Musk cares about us and wouldn’t do anything to cause problems… hardship, get you head out of your….. Musk is a mutli-billionaire from South Africa that shows he cares for nothing but himself. Like Trump. He’s cutting the Federal government with no responsibility and no care. He’s cutting everything except his billion dollar contracts he has with our government. Now that would save some money.
Every unnecessary employee who does little or nothing takes away from veteran’s care. If you’re not contributing, you need to go – vet or not! They can go find a real job.
True. Vet ot no vet, but remember that there are slackers in every company in America.
Even at schools some teachers put out the bare minimum. What the VA needs to do is have a true chain of command, written procedures for the jobs they do, and advancement like the military. We got to make employees earn each step in grade and promote more.
There is actually no fraud waste and abuse in the VA.what it is. Is there is no one challenging the contractor, salesman, and VA set prices for things.
We need to have VA auctions for material that is no longer needed, no matter the value. I see good stuff thrown out every day because it could injure or it’s no longer allowed to be in the hospital.
THE CONTRACTORS ARE THE PROBLEM. THE GOVERNMENT GIVES THEM A CONTRACT THAT IS ALWAYS OVER PRICED.
THEY ARE THE BLOOD SUCKERS, I KNOW BECAUSE I WORK FIOR THE VA.
OH, CONTRACTORS ARE SWEATING BY HEARING OF THE CUTS! BUT THEN AGAIN, THEY ARE GEARING UP TO TAKE OVER THE VA FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS UNTIL ANOTHER PRESIDENT CHANGES IT.
THE CONTRACTOR LEACHES WILL ALWAYS WIN. LOOK AT ELON MUSK, ANY QUESTIOS? I THOUGHT SO!
Of the fired people (33% veterans), what proof was presented when mass firing took place without any notice of why they were fired? Why are these ex-employees not permitted to contest their accusations of fraud? Were is the Due Process? Transparent DOGE is not in the least transparent.
Love your comments, and agree wholeheartedly
This may have been leaked after this video was recorded, but the most recent “whopper” I read about (NYT, USA Today) is a leaked internal memo about a plan to lay off 80,000 (15%) VA employees. With what’s going on at other agencies (IRS, SSA, et al) with layoffs and budget cuts I don’t doubt the truth of this “whopper” either. A lie by any other name is still a lie.
His comments indicate he is a Trump Puppet and for that reason alone, I don’t trust or believe him.
I’m with you
Trump didn’t do a thing, and I sincerely hope that the vets who will get fired, and those who see their wait times increase, remember that it was a South African billionaire and a man with no respect, honor, personal courage, selfless service, or one day of service in his entire family’s existence that did it to them. We haven’t seen the iceberg yet. But hey, maybe the price of eggs will come down and those kids pretending to be cats in school will go away.
You are correct in describing Musk, but Trump did nothing to block this. Ultimately the buck has to stop somewhere and this buck stops at Trumps desk…remember that.
I am an 80-year-old Disabled Vietnam Veteran. I watched this video because I am really concern about MUSK’s dirty fingers and his band of IT NON-military finger through my personal and private V.A. information. The Whopper #4 you told is YOU HAVE NO CONTROL!!!!!!!! MUSK and Trump are pulling the strings and as long as they are YOUR going to stand tall and say, “PLEASE MAY I HAVE ANOTHER” and the Veterans are going to suffer big time. MUSK is still making massive Illegal CUTs to the V.A. The V.A. needs more Doctors, nurses etc. to improve the healthcare of the Veterans who serve this Country. President MUSK and TRUMP Have never served in the military and has no idea what it means to sacrifice part of your life defending this Great Country only to see it Toren apart by a Wannebe Dictator………………..
You said you “didn’t fire any” crisis line workers. Is this true, or are these sources lying?
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a service-disabled veteran, told reporters in a call Wednesday that her office has been in touch with fired VA employees who worked for the Veterans Crisis Line and helped process VA benefits claims for veterans.
“After I raised these cases to the VA, and spoke out about them, it sounds like thankfully at least some of these employees will be rehired,” Duckworth said, adding that at least two former Veterans Crisis Line employees have told her office they are in the process of being rehired.
SOURCE: https://federalnewsnetwork.com/veterans-affairs/2025/02/va-reinstates-some-fired-employees-but-36-senators-push-for-rehiring-all-1000-back/
First strike against you is that you are a Trump appointee…..you talk the talk, let’s see you walk the walk.
I don’t exactly know how to put this but here goes. ” I DON’T BELIEVE A WORD YOU SAY ” Your responses to these issues don’t seem to come from the heart.
Again, we need to see specifics
Not anecdotes and aw shucks discourse.
Tell us WHAT positions your cutting in what departments
We aren’t stupid
Please stop treating us like we are
Here is the joke of this matter. So far, management has not reeled in fiefdoms of medical staff that operate on their opinion/ego, not valid clinical studies. To address such issues, we are told to address such overbearing decisions is only allowed to be challenged by some written submission, no face-to-face conversation. Thus, it is once again some faceless entity that is difficult to hold accountable.
I don’t believe you. You are the administration that you serve don’t care about veterans. It’s funny how people who’ve never picked up a weapon and put your life on the line for country can never emphasize with the people that have. Why don’t you have a town hall meeting and ACTIVELY listen to veterans and people that support use. I truly don’t believe you. Good luck to you and the draft dodger on making money off the veterans that you say you support.
Hmmm. Should I believe you or my own damn eyes?
This comment thread is full of whoppers…a lot of misinformation, media talking points, entitlement because “I’m a veteran,” etc.
We chose to serve, we’re not entitled to a life long job in government, period. Stop acting like petulant children. Educate yourselves. This isn’t even the first President to cut. Clinton and Obama made cuts. Our government is incredibly bloated, wasteful, and inefficient.
You’re in the minority here
Your words ring hallow because I SEE a degrading of service at the local VA. Professional staff feel stressed and overburdened. Doctors and Nurses have been leaving for non-VA positions. Departments have been eliminated and the Drs. that have worked there/ This is NOT improving service – it is CUTTING important services.
The BK mention through me for a loop until I picked up on the “Whoppers.” That was funny. A nice touch with all the anxiety going around across the happenings with the Federal government.
I would be nice to hear more details on how you have or will streamline the VA to better serve the Vets as well as what was cut to enable the funds to be diverted to our direct benefits.
Believe me, Doug, musk and t are screw those of us who served in any way they can. I am sure benefits will be cut to make tax cuts for musk and his rich cronies. Cutting 40,000 staff is just the beginning.
You have ZERO evidence of that, stop fear mongering. Musk has shown no desire to screw over veterans, and definitely not for “tax cuts” just stop. It’s embarrassing, it’s wrong, and it’s pathetic.
Memo to cut jobs went out today. Sorry. Maybe talk to the 32,000 vets who will be laid off in the coming g weeks since the VA employs roughly 40% veterans. I’m sure they’d LOVE to hear your apologist musings. And dude, if you think cutting 80,000 jobs won’t impact services… I can promise to lower the price of groceries on day one.
Just watch and see! I just heard on the news, the republicans do not have the money to fulfill Trump’s agenda, to include his tax cuts. As they put it, the numbers don’t add up. He’s going to have to still from somewhere. It’s not wrong… Just watch.
PS, I put in an update for my benefits back in Nov. Web site says “In progress”. Today’s update, still in phase 1 , meaning it hasn’t been assigned to anyone it. Today’s date is 3/6/2025. Is there already a staffing shortage? What do you think is going to happen when they cut 70,000 from the VA? I’m still waiting!
Stop watching fox news you IMBECILE, (Steve P). I just got off the phone with Veterans I served with in Iraq and Afghanistan. They lost there jobs because of DOGE, a musk program, that saw they weren’t important enough to have a job they deserved. The only embarrassing crab I see is people like you who voted for Russian Commissar Trump. Check your facts before opening your mouth. The evidence is everywhere if your not watching one channel. Call a few people and ask around, you will see how bad it has truly become.
First let me say that I served 26 years of my life for the liberty, freedom, and rights of common everyday Americans. Despite all the health issues, physical, mental, and emotional pain I suffer every day, I would do it all over again no questions asked. I want to be clear Doug, I did not serve, nor would I ever serve this country for people like you! You are not only unqualified to be in this position, but based on this video presentation you are a psychopathic liar. Furthermore, unsympathetic, heartless criminals like yourself, trump, musk, vance, and a host of other narcissistic sycophants should never be allowed to serve “we the people” of these United States of America.
I hope you get to read this Doug, because you and the extreme conservative maga-cult, are solely responsible for the rumors, disinformation, misinformation, and deterioration of the Veterans Administration. Make no mistake, “we” see what’s going on here and we are will not sit back and wait for you guys to dishonor “us” without taking action. Hope you and the others can sleep at night!
The only whoppers I heard was all the bs you said. Calling the problems at the VA “whoppers” is pure bs. Veterans aren’t making up the delays, denials, and incompetence—we live them every day. The failures of this administration, including its blatant disregard for veterans and its double standards in care, are impossible to ignore. You expect trust, but you’ve done nothing to earn it. Instead of dismissing us, start fixing the damn system. Until this POS administration starts acting like they truly care about veterans, you can go pound sand at mar-a-Lardo, while the Cheeto -in- chief golfs.
you are negative, i don’t care how long you serve this great country.
this administration just getting started, give them a chance.I am sure if
you started on your first day of working for a company and they said
you are doing a lousy job and did give you the benefit of the doubt
how would you feel.we are all human we all deserve RESPECT…SIR..
with respect.
Exactly, thank you for speaking up. I can’t believe the lies that are coming out of this guys mouth!
Amen – love what you said
It was pretty darned bad as it was for me and my family before the new administration. I can only imagine how “great” it’s going to be down the road. My child was removed from medical care at 21 because she wasn’t a full time student, left with zero options. Thanks so much for that. My wife or I have to wait, on average, 90 minutes once every couple weeks on a phone to get medications we need because of ridiculous procedures that are clearly intended to deter the use of the service. We’ve got a year or two worth of phone logs to prove it. Better? Sure hope so, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. I’d like to get on couple of these sites, like Genesis Patient Portal, with with me and YOU, in realtime, navigate me through these sites in the process of trying to find what you need. SMH. Purveyor of Whoppers… SMH.
Secretary Collins, thank you for what you are doing to support all America’s Veterans. We finally have someone in the office that is honestly looking out for us. If I could ever be of service to you or the VA please let me know. US Army Desert Storm Veteran.
I agree 1000%..we all deserve a chance..to prove you are worthy.
You need to lose those rose colored glasses
We don’t believe you.
This is unfortunate that we hear and feel comments like this. We are in an environment and atmosphere of less than truth and facts and over exaggerated story telling. this is all to fall in line or align with the current administration’s move to “Save Taxpayer Money and root out corruption”. How many arrests or court appearances have been made with this corruption story. Why is the DOJ silent. The we don’t believe you comment by Becky is well founded. Confusion and chaos, this is the mandate of the current Administration. Just a thought. Thank you.
Thank you for your comments.
So let me get this straight. We will have better care and services with 70,000 less people working for the VA and VAH?
Two examples of less service under your leadership.
1. 14 day turn around on a routine prescription refill that under the last VA director took 7 days.
2. My VRC appointment for yesterday was cancelled. I wonder if that was because of DOGE cuts.
Words are cheap and worthless, actions are what matters. Do better.
Thank you for the update.
Sir, First your presentation on these rumors was an insult to we veterans. A cap at 300,000 is well below what is needed to provide first class service to those who have given more to this country than most anyone else. My PTSD therapist has received these emails. The Suicide prevention lines have lost 50% of the councilors. This exercise is to privatize the VA. That would throw us to the wolves of a health care system run by insurance companies. Suggestion read PROJECT 2025
Trump and musk have never served and now they are talking away from veterans who have sacrificed so much and in most cases are still waiting on benefits. Anyone who kisses Trump and musk should resign. You are a disgrace
You’re a disgrace, so sick of the fear mongering. No one is taking anything from us.
People like you are the disgrace.
Lots of seditionist traitors making comments back to other people. A false sense of security is a beautiful thing. So is OSINT.
See you soon Steve.
The Patriot Army of America
Secretary Collins
I am a combat veteran and have received excellent care the last several years from the VA.
You said VA health care is being protected and is a priority. To prove your point, you said you have called 300,000 jobs as protected, mission critical. Yet I believe there are roughly 486,000 people employed by the VA. Does that mean 186,000 were wasted dollars and will now be terminated? Frankly I don’t believe it.
In any Agency, how can a group of people unfamiliar with the mission and purpose of the Agency determine how many people show go in less than 60 days? That sir defies all logic and my experiences in process improvements.
We’ll see if what he says is ACTUALLY TRUE! I have my doubts that they WILL make cuts to VA health care and benefits. If they do, they’ll try to spin it into “balancing the budget” or something BS.
History will remember those who didn’t care for their most vulnerable citizens at their time of need.
This is great news! Thank you for the personal video.
There is a one MILLION backlog of veteran claims. The VA plans to cut 83.000 VA civilian jobs.
Words mean nothing. Follow the ACTIONS rather than announcements to learn the truth about what we “suckers and losers “ are in for.
Republic president Abraham Lincoln must be spinning in his grave.
GO POUND SAND DOUGIE! We’ve the entire GOP bend a knee to this Administration. We watched them say that they weren’t going after SS or Medicaid. The bottom line is they’ve lied and not one damn one ya’s have called them out.
They haven’t gone after SS or Medicaid.
You’re wrong, they plan to cut medicaid by $800 Billion to pay for the 4.5 Trillion in tax cuts for the rich (Trump) and Must, etc. Only 20% of that goes to the rest of us.
It’s so maddening that this individual (or lackey) makes this claim, out and out pure lies coupled with abandonment of our veterans by a commander-in-chief that does not give a ____ about us. I envision several millions of dollars vanishing soon to boost ‘old what’s his name’s’ charge against the VA budget. God help us all…
Yeah….God help us all…from your fear mongering.
Another rumor he addressed was that Veterans’ benefits were being cut. You said: “They’re not,” explaining that the “VA had redirected nearly $98 million toward Veterans’ care and services rather than reducing them”. Let’s deal in reality. $98 million redirected from where? Where did you find or identify those funds? What is the evidence; how can we veterans (such as me) and the public see where you obtained those funds, how did those funds get shifted from whatever agency you pulled them from, and “redirected” to the VA. In short sir, there is no miss-information. Veterans are not stupid, rather they are well educated individuals who for the love of this country showed up for this country and did the right thing and some gave all; unlike the current CINC who by the way never showed up in uniform nor did any member of his adult male family members. Veterans deserve the truth. Fact: there are approx 16.2 million vets in the USA (give or take a few); decreasing the workforce of the VA by 80,000 is going to have an impact! (Trump’s VA secretary defends 80,000 layoffs in a wildly unpersuasive way–News Flash). Doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure that out.
In the world of reality, if it is not documented, it did not happen…so unless you can PROVE to us ALL that what you claim: $98 million redirected to the VA did occur; it is as you said, just another whooper. As an AF (Chaplin) and lawyer, you should do better. BTW thank you for your service as a military person but get thee to confession.
In reading the comments there is a vast amount of very negative comments. Some are well founded other are not. One comment was so bad it was disgusting. I have 40% disability. Been with the VA for 15 years. I am now 78 years old. I agree that a vet who works for the VA should not be laid off but not in all cases. If you work for the VA it does not mean that you have a job for life. There is waste in every government agency. I have put several claims into the VA. Not all were process in a timely manner, and one did not have the out come I wanted but I understood the reasoning and stilll pissed off. Maybe I am lucky but the VA has come through for me not as fast as I would have liked, but the did come through. For the vets that are angrey keep fighting and good luck.
I agree. There are many comments here that either are supposition, political crap, or just filling a need to whine. The VA has not always done what I have wanted but I can say they have always treated me well and respectfully.
this is the only country i know that gives the best benefits in the world.
sure i agree the va is not perfect and sometimes not there when you
need something but they are available when needed.it took me 10 yrs
to get my benefits better late than never.
You forgot to mention that the VA cuts are to pay for the Tax Cuts for the ultra rich (Trump, etc.) and corporations. You like that?
If I were Burger King I would sue you for lying about them and their woopers. You lied by trying to be clever. Don’t ever try to compare veterans with a burger. This is not the same scenarios Donald Trump is lying, and you know it ! You didn’t say ANYTHING in this video that gave me comfort. Now what about the new rounds of layoffs of VA workers?
Shame on you as a chaplain in the Air Force reserves. You’re supposed to put your women and men first not Donald Trump the draft dodger. This is why real Christians can’t trust fake Christians like you. Whopper gate lies.
If you’re a Chaplain in Air Force Reserves you might want to pause and rethink your post, especially targeting the Commander-In-Chief.
Learn to read, Steve—Collins is the Air Force chaplain and he should be ashamed of his lies.
Real men of God, men of the cloth, and honorable service members don’t sell their brothers and sisters out for Russian oligarchs.
Go away troll.
Why have I been waiting almost two years to receive my back pay from the VA, can you explain that.
That’s been like that for years, it has nothing to do with anything going on now. It took me 2 years after my post Afghanistan filling in 2010 to get pay for disability.
to Doug Collins – I have a ver
++++
y time believing that has to do with Trump. He constantly changes his positions and decisions . He always makes general statements without real and verifiable facts. Everything to him has to be political !!! DOes he really care about US Citizens? The onlly person he care about is himself !!!! He calls Veterans suckers and losers.
I am a Totally Disabled Viet Nam Combat Veteran I was stationed at Da Nang Viet Nam. I have a 100% service-connectrd rating. Without thuffalo VA Medical Center I probably would not be here today. I recently had Heart Surgery and broken Femur Surgery. I have direct Agent orange exposure, Diabetes, Severe Osteoarthritis, Constant pain, Severe Mental Stress and anxiety loes of all my teeth and much more…..
I have two degrees. I really love my country and take my oath to my country very seriously !!!!!! Will Project 2025 Screw up VA Affairs????
ore…..
First, he didn’t call veterans suckers and losers, that’s straight rubbish. As someone that met President Trump in his 1st term I can 100% say he does care about veterans and out service members.
Project 2025 has NOTHING to do with President Trump.
Wait, what, Trump didnt call service memebr s suckers… that coolaid is rich, you are in a CULT!
Steve you are full of S-it. Trump did day that! You are drinking the cool aid. Are you even a Vet?
Steve,
Trump literally did, it is provable, and if you listened to anything other than Fox News and Trump’s easily fact-checked lies: you’d know he did.
He even got-mic’d and insulted a Gold Star widow.
You didn’t even wait to mix the koolaid with water, you snorted it as powder.
I feel for you. You have it BAD. Take those blinders off. After witnessing the event where he said it, is the day that turned me away from supporting him. Can’t be trusted. FACT!!!
You don’t know what you’re talking about. President Trump never ever called veterans “Losers and Suckers”, that was a J. Biden Lie. Show us one time he said what you claim! YOU CANT DO IT because it never happened! You were brainwashed by Democrats, just like I was, all my life, until I saw the crimes of Obama, and woke up. I asked myself “exactly why am I a Democrat”. I was honest and found out I never was a Democrat, but was just persuaded that I was. I am conservative, love this Country, love Our Laws, Love our Freedoms & our Flag, love the Justice System when it works, love the opportunities we are given, and believe in two genders and Jesus(our LORD)! I do not believe in the LGBTQ or its special rights and privileges over straight heterosexuals, BUT DO YOU? ALL Democrats do, so I woke up because I do not! The V.A. has many corrupt employees, mainly at the top, but TRUMP is working to remove them. Give him and the Republicans a chance because it’s been less than 6 weeks in office. Wake up man. Get your head out of your a*s. Him and Musk don’t need or want your money. That’s all Democrats lies like Kotex/Tampon Tim Walz & Harris spread. Democrats do not think for themselves. You are a good example, so ask yourself why you’re a Liberal Democrat that despises America! Why???
Draft dodging, “President Donald Trump claimed to receive a 2016 award from military veterans that didn’t exist and falsely denigrated the record of the late Republican Sen. John McCain on veterans affairs”.
https://apnews.com/article/john-mccain-ap-fact-check-joe-biden-veterans-veterans-affairs-f322b3774b773cc29a527bc6f9b204ad
34 counts of Fraud by a jury shows how much I can place Trump as truthful. His big Lie he won the 2020 election is a lie, Fact checkers counted over 3300 public lies by Trump.
Biden supported the PACT Act to help disabled veterans. Trump tried to reduce IU disable veterans compensation to hurt the disabled veterans and cursed Senator McCain, a Republican, for being a POW and supporting VA. Between the three, I pick Senator McCain first and Trump last.
Biden and twice impeached Trump swore an oath to follow the laws of the Constriction.
Also, I am not a Democrat, but Biden is not currently running the show, but Trump and Collins are running the show. Why does hateful Democrats blame the new policies on Biden when he cannot affected the Trump adverse anti-veteran policies.
You real think that because you kiss trumps ass we’ed beleive you?
Thank you!
SGT. Olga ROEMER , US Army. Veteran
GWOTEM &. GULFWAR
Mr. Secretary Collins, please allow V.A. Judges in Washington D.C. to process pending disability claims more expediently. I am a disabled Veteran who was deployed overseas during the Vietnam War, and I am 60% disabled. I have V.A remanded claims which need to be finalized, for I have already taken all my C&P Exams.
Why is the VA being forced to cut 70,000 employees. Services are already getting cut at the Boise VA, and it’s going to get worse. Supposedly, employee levels are getting cut to 2019 levels. Dozens of VA facilities have been added since then, making it easier to get to a facility. Are they going to be closed? You can’t offer the same service by eliminating people. What a fiasco. And the Trump appointees are trying to make a beauty queen out of a sows ass.
Well, if you intend to improve veteran patient primary care, start with Clearlake VA Clinic, Clearlake CA. It is a cesspool of incompetence. One administrator and one doctor and a security guard routinely conspire to bait veteran patients into a violent episode from which these cesspool members “get rid” of one more veteran patient to go elsewhere for medical primary care. Otherwise Mr. Director, you are more of the same dismal performance of these VA employees at Clearlake CA.
That’s not how the VA works. They can’t deny eligible Veterans. They literally have to treat a Vet who held a nurse hostage in the ER and was shot by VA police.
During your confirmation hearing- you promised that you would notify Congress of any cuts. You lied then. You’re lying now. You’re just another politician lying to veterans. How can you say 80,000 people being cut won’t have an affect on veterans….. In my opinion, you’ll go down as the worst VA secretary and someone who backstabbed their own.
I get information strait from the VA employees and beneficiaries. This is just like the state of the union, lots of broad generalizations while leaving out some very important details. They think they are hiding their cards, but what they are really doing is throwing the whole damn deck in the air while declaring their hands are empty. This POG is just a puppet and a bootlicker.
I am a retired Army Officer and I am a 100% Disabled Veteran. The vulgarity and ignorance I read in the comments on this page disgust me.
The vulgarity and ignorance from our administration disgusts me more. As an “officer” I’d hope you share the same integrity.
I agree with you 100%.
I agree with you completely.
Well, if you voted for trump, I’d suggest that you do not read the comments. Many of the Veterans/commenters might say that you are vulgar, ignorant, and disgusting for your comments.
I some how don’t believe anything he said. it’s not up to him, but President Elon to decide how he gets his tax cuts and the VA is the biggest prize on the board. Keep the promise and stop the bs. We expect you to resign if they chainsaw their way through the VA.
BOOT LICKER LIKE ALL THE REST
Thank you.
Why are veterans affairs jobs being cut? It’s a Damm shame we need the VA workers and the job they do to get the health care we deserve. NEVER A trumper VET HERE.
Talk is cheap,I been fighting the VA since 2018.all they know how to do is denied my claims over and over again.i got plural plaque on both lungs,denied ,severe hearing loss rated at 0% bilateral.pact act is a joke.ptsd va canceled my physiatrist treatments..shall I continue? I was in the sand for over one year and this is the way they treat me.why did I have to pay back 32000.00 dollars before I can start to get benes.i got out with severance pay.if I remember it was not a loan .correct me if I am wrong.thats why mu nephew took his own life because his medical records were lost.still
LIAR
The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning to cut approximately 72,000 jobs, roughly 15 percent of its current workforce, VA Secretary Doug Collins confirmed Wednesday…The memo, sent by VA chief of staff Christopher Syrek, said the agency-wide reorganization would take place this August and instructed top-level officials to …cut enough employees to return to 2019 levels of staffing. Doing so would require cutting tens of thousands of jobs at the VA that were created under the Biden administration, including through the 2022 PACT Act, which expanded coverage to veterans affected by burn pits.
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5178063-trump-administration-va-veterans-affairs-job-cuts-doge-collins/
If walks like propaganda and it talks like propaganda, it’s probably propaganda!
[Even though you deliver information with the energy of a trusty Golden Retriever, I don’t believe you are being truthful, Sec Collins. You are appeasing Veterans and the US Citizens who support us until the curtain has fallen and there is little we can do about it. The memo was leaked regarding what’s behind the curtain, reference Wizard of Oz]
Sec Collins,
Please explain how returning to 2019 staffing levels will improve my VA care? As you know, President Biden’s PACT act expanded the number of veterans eligible for care:
“Thanks to the largest outreach campaign in VA history, Veterans and survivors are applying for their earned benefits at record rates. Over the past two fiscal years, VA has received 4,414,334 claims for disability compensation benefits (including 1,774,158 claims with PACT Act conditions) — 29.8% more than the two fiscal years prior. There was an all-time record number of applications in 2023, and Veterans and survivors are on pace to break that record in 2024.”
I hope that instead of setting a number of staff to reduce, a concerted effort would be made to see how many people are needed to complete the VA mission effectively. I see comments in this forum that could lead to savings while delivering a better veteran experience.
(Does anyone working at the VA ever read these comments or is typing this an exercise in futility? Reply to this comment.)
An actual evaluation may lead to reductions in some areas of service, increases in others or service delivery changes that deliver a better outcome. In some areas of the country, certain services are underutilized, and in other areas programs need more staff.
Right sizing to meet the mission means you actually care about providing essential services. The memo sets a number goal with expectations to cut to that number regardless of mission requirements. This chainsaw approach is going to have a real impact on veteran health and well-being.
While active duty, I worked on a skill-diverse team using population models to plan staffing for MTFs around the world. The team worked with stakeholders in each clinical area to create the models. We did this resource analysis with an eye toward medical readiness as well as the requirement to serve the military population. We recommended closing services in areas that had robust services on the economy while staffing up areas that needed increased on-base services. We thought about how many military members in each career field were needed for medical readiness and then recommended filling other needed healthcare positions with civilian staff. I know this level of scrutiny can be accomplished but it takes integrity, research, inclusion, discussion, TIME, and analysis.
I am concerned that staffing and program reductions will increase stress experienced by veterans requiring access to benefits. The VA is making progress in reducing the incidence of veteran suicide. https://news.va.gov/137221/va-2024-suicide-prevention-annual-report/ The decreasing rate of veteran suicide needs to continue. The Biden administration policy change as of Jan 17, 2023, must continue to offer a life-line to ALL veterans:
“Starting Jan. 17, Veterans in acute suicidal crisis will be able to go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost – including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit. This expansion of care will help prevent Veteran suicide by guaranteeing no cost, world-class care to Veterans in times of crisis. It will also increase access to acute suicide care for up to 9 million Veterans who are not currently enrolled in VA.”
I am NOT in support of a quick decision to cut a set number of employees (83,000+). This is not the way.
https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/03/va-plans-lay-many-83000-employees-year/403477/
No VA staff should be being laid off. It already takes too long to get an appointment as it is. I don’t wanna hear stupid jokes about Burger King or political support of a person who is making it so the people who offer us support are being fired. Please keep VA employees and their positions safe.
Every single word complaining is either from a democrat or a liberal….wonder why that is
Bingo. Whole lot of talking points and misinformation, it’s really pretty sad…
And how would you know that?
FAKE NEWS!
you’re a trump stooge. We don’t believe a word you say.
Well that’s interesting Mr.Collins.
My journey with the VA here in Florida has been nothing but them toying with Veterans lives, like mine. So they approved my cancer (Tera) in October 2024 but a 0% compensation because they did not include that I still receive chemo shots on my record. That an examiner told me about. So the VSO filed it again with all of my secondaries from the cancer . So after the VA calling for about 20 plus reexamine C&P and IMOs without me at any of them per them. Now today the VA just put in a new claim theirselves to sever my service connected disability they approved the 1st time. The VA representatives today told me congress is pushing them to hurry up and get these claims taking care of. I guess this is how you all are telling them to do it by taking it away. No whopper her sir, just the facts and the truth. I am sharing what the VA is doing with eve I meet and with any news agency.that wants to know the truth that you all call liars. Have a great day and thank you for your service to GOD sir!
We are not cutting but putting in caps! That sounds like cutting to me. The systems are already overloaded, and now Trump and his dogs are saying they are going to lay off 80,000 staffers at the VA? How is that going to make VA benefits and services better? Americans support downsizing if it makes sense and does not affect services, but what is happening to our government now is not responsible leadership. It is crippling organizations. It is just a matter of time before the VA is also crippled and Mr. Collins loses his job because he is no longer needed. I truly hope what you say is true, but I must see it to believe it.
This is not true, I have been with the VA since 1993, it did get better but the past 6 months has been bad.
To me, VA care is a wonderful Blessing.
Thanks to everyone at the VA.
No Responders were laid off, however, staff that support responders were laid off and this was overturned. Those impacted were Veterans who coordinate emergency efforts to assist other Veterans facing crisis situations within VCL. Crisis Responders require support staff to operate effectively and ensure Veteran safety. All off the support services should also be included as mission essential.
But you’re cancelling contracts and declining to state what they are. How about that for transparency you stooge. Stop aiding in the theft against Americans and short changing the veterans who believed in the country you and this felon’s administration are trying to destroy.
Mr. Collins, why are you part of this mess with this administration? Look at waste slowly to make minimal mistakes. It takes time to identify waste, so take your time and make a more efficient VA. This administration so far is making up waste and then tries to fix it when they get caught. Stand up for Veteran.
I’m disappointed in the response by many of the VA beneficiaries to this post. The efforts to improve efficiencies and save costs while preserving and improving VA services will only benefit us. It’s sad we’ve become so political that there’s little to no objectivity so we can find common ground on what used to be called common sense.
Why are you telling such obvious lies? You simply cannot maintain the same level of service when you’re firing tens of thousands of people, removing many aspects of tele-health, and when you have leases on buildings cut and sold so Trump can make more money. If I want the truth I’ll go to people who work in the VA and have leaked memos that were meant to be private, not the guy hand-picked by the Heritage Foundation and Trump to destroy the entire VA system because of how much it saves veterans money. They very definitively want the system destroyed so they can force us all into private healthcare that we’d have to pay way more for with even longer waiting times than the VA has.
I noted that the cuts will bring the VA back to 2019 levels of employees. So ask yourself, “Was the VA able to do the job in 2019?” I think they were. So were those 80,000 jobs added during Biden’s regime just a way to make him look good by creating unneeded jobs? I think so. This country has over 35 trillion dollars of debt. We cannot continue down this path without seeing hyper inflation.
I don’t believe a word you are saying. It’s literally administration dogma to do the opposite of what you tell everyone you are doing or not doing.
Is laying off 83000 individuals going to get me an appointment with my doctor in days and not months?
Is it going to lower my prescription bill, help me get a hearing aid, or get me dental care?
There already is a shortage of workers at the VA. Right now, there is a 6 to 8 month wait for appointments, and you want to cut 80,000 plus positions. Veterans will have to suffer yet again. Practice what you preach. Slam the Scam
I have never waited 6-8 months for an appointment; for non-emergency care, it’s usually 3 or 4 weeks. Just last week, I needed a radiology referral from the VA. I called my PCM’s office without talking to her directly, and the referral was processed in a day. The following day, the VA notified me it had been sent to the radiologist.
Nice speech let’s see if there is any substance behind it.
Lies, lies, and lies. By firing veterans only hurts me and my fellow veterans! How can we trust you and this corrupt administration.
Frankly, what you’re trying to gaslight us with is absolutely disgusting. The VA was already improving because they finally hired more staff and service was getting so much better. Now you’re making excuses to fire people so a few can get tax cuts on their already record profits? With all due respect sir, you do not represent the ideals that I would like to see at the head of the VA. You should be fighting tooth and nail for us, not selling us short. Shame on you.
don’t know what’s going on hope iam not involved.
Fascism with a drawl is still fascism.
I implore your actions and Presidents Trumps. my issue is that you’re coming from the top down. I can tell you at ground level it gets scary some times.
Zero credibility…with you or this self serving administration. The only reason cuts and chaos are being sewn across the Federal Government is because of the opportunities that will be made available to the faithful and obscenely well off. Privatization is in the works. You think service and services are bad now? Wait until everything is turned over to the oligarchy, only as private entities that are designed to make a profit, not do good. As a retiree, I am ashamed that so many Veterans believed in what MAGA purported to represent. It was and never will be about serving anyone but the inner circle. The sacrifices so many of us made in service to country are meaningless under this hypocritical administration. Secretary Collins is only a voice-piece for chaos under the guise of support and service. Shame on you.
You get what you vote for!
I like what they’re doing, cutting waste and removing people who are not needed. I’m not ashamed of our veterans, who believe in a smaller government and less tax. I would like to know your back story as to why you think the government is here to take care of you. It’s your job to take care of yourself and your family. I don’t want big brother looking after me. I’m a grown man who provides for himself and his family. Who give a damn if it goes private, it’s called America and not Russia for a reason.
I’m more concerned with the government saying I shall take this pill or shot. If I don’t, there will be consequences for not following others. Keep the federal government out of my life as much as possible. Furthermore, they should be kept out of state responsibilities.
do you prefer KAMALA..to get the job done..if its a yes she will do away with the va and
your benefits..lets be thankful for what we get and quit with your crying and sobbing..
but fight for whats yours..you desrve it..
This is disgusting and shameful! You are belittling us and our concerns with this gross rhetoric. Whoppers… our questions and concerns are whoppers?
Talk is cheap and your is worthless. Actions are showing us yours and the administrations true motives. Are you a Russian asset too?
WTF, did you even serve?
Mark Patton, did you serve? You are saying Veterans shouldn’t expect the government to take care of them. When you you put your life on the line for our country and freedom there should be an expectation the government will support us if they broke us.
Sorry Doug. I thought you were sincere in your previous video, but you disproved that in this video. You’re about to layoff 80,000 employees and when you start mentioning Trump, you lost me. As a pastor, I’d think you would stand up to an administration that is affecting veterans negatively through arbitrary slashing of the Federal workforce and a plan in Project 2025 that takes away a significant amount of care to veterans.
So perhaps it it true that VA disability compensation will not be reduced. PERHAPS. But if Congress makes that compensation taxable to provide tax breaks to the billionaires, the net may be a reduction in take home. We just have to trust the politicians…
Dear Secretary Collins,
I believe the message would be more effectively received if the tone and attitude were adjusted to be more respectful and professional. The casual joking and banter may come across as unprofessional and may not be appropriate in this context. As Veterans, we expect to be treated with the respect and seriousness that we deserve. I would appreciate a more direct, honest, and professional approach moving forward, with a focus on delivering on the commitments made.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
I had no issues with the delivery at all. Perhaps you’re over analyzing it. Or just being super sensitive…
What is taking so long for contaminated water claims. I have read what some have said on the comment section. When I go to the VA clinic, I see a lot of slow motion and a tone coming from the people work there, that makes me feel like there doing me a favor! Not all but a lot of this is going on. Have been sent around in circles trying to get my teeth done. If they send you to community care get a Eval, then require a over view of what needs to be done. The dentist submits it to VA for approve, then it takes months to get anything back for approval. Then its one tooth at a time. Been working on getting my teeth fix for almost three years.
When I go to the VA and see my PCM, it’s quick and easy to set up. I do it all online. I can refill my prescriptions online or call, and pickup is available 24/7/365. My claim that put me at 100% took a month, and the back pay was handled over the following two monthly payments. I think the VA is doing an outstanding job taking care of us. When I visit the VA, so many people are running around that even my wife says there are too many people not doing any work. From what I see, I think cutting some support staff would be appropriate. I haven’t been to any other VA facility, so I can not compare the care, but I’m satisfied with the service I’m receiving.
Question: Were your teeth affected by your service? Or are you using the VA for personal support? Why not obtain dental insurance to cover your dental needs? Granted, it doesn’t cover all procedures 100%, but it works for essential services. I had my teeth cleaned four times yearly, two with insurance and two out of pocket. The out-of-pocket cost me $50 each time. Just a thought.
I’m just wondering where all the alleged fraud, waste, and abuse is, because it hasn’t been there in the past. It sounds more like it’s programs you want to halt that are being described as fraud, waste, and abuse. We had IGs that watched for that. The reckless way cuts are being made gives no one confidence, and it’s causing a lot of hardship.
There’s been tons of waste, fraud, and abuse before Trump even came into office…
I appreciate everything that VA is doing for us Veterans. Thank you.
We know that your just wanting to privatize the va just so your billionaire handlers can make money of it.. please retire you have lost all credibility sir..
this is coming from a trump DEI hire. Depraved, Evil and Incompetent. Do you really believe what you are saying. The fact that you don’t know you are being set up by trump and the DOGiE Xitter to be the fall guy when veterans get really pissed off shows how incredibly confused you are
We need the truth about how the Veterans are being taken care, reducing the staff from veteran hospitals and major medical people helping a vet is not helping as you say there will not have changes throughout the Veterans system for us Veterans. We needed the truth from President Trump the ( Felon ).
Here is the truth right from the bosses mouth.
The homesy-speak doesn’t cut it, sorry nope, don’t believe a word out of this guy’s mouth.
Go back to the liberal library and devise something intelligent to say. Another thing, are you afraid to use your real name? Give me a break.
Go back to your close-minded, racist, and bigoted library.
Hey Mark, do you remember that blood makes the grass grow green? We do. See you soon
Patriot Army of America
Please explain how firing so many veterans in the federal government is helpful to us? Also please explain how harassing them is helpful?
My care providers at the VA feel overwhelmed and many are thinking about leaving because of the awful current leadership.
You need to do better.
Fascinating, looks like the comments are being monitored and not allowed to be posted any more. I made two posts and nothing came through.
Thank you for this update and input on ‘Whoppers’. I like this direct approach and input to us veterans. Will see how it goes in the future and will try and provide quick and correct feedback. I am not going to be critical at this point. But if you want any opinions or suggestions well, I am sure we can give them. Let’s see how it goes.
First – blader cancer is on the presumptive list but I cannot get it noted for me on my list of combat related – wonder why. I was told that the VA would review all records when this cancer was added so I did not have to do anything. So now a year or two later, I still have bladder cancer, but it is not on my combat type of list or whatever you call it.
We need a list of what is being taken away from us veterans.
VA Website Announcement
“ We are PROUD to have ABANDONED the divisive DEI policies of the past and pivot back to VA’s core mission.”
Does your Core Mission now include Abandoning these Hiring Preferences giving to:
1)Disabled Veterans’ Preference (30%+)which recognizes the
economic loss suffered by citizens who have served their country in uniform, restores veterans to a favorable competitive position for Government employment, and acknowledges the larger obligation owed to disabled veterans.
2)Military Spousal Preference which Federal agencies can use the military spouse non-competitive hiring process to fill positions on either a temporary or permanent basis.
You’re eligible if you are:
A spouse of an active duty member of the armed forces.
A spouse of a service member who is 100% disabled due to a service-connected injury at the time of separation from military service.
A spouse of a service member killed while on active duty.
https://www.vaforvets.va.gov/vaforvets/docs/OCHCO-Veteran-and-Military-Spouse-Hiring-Authority-Resource-Guide.pdf
VA Secretary Doug Collins
Your videos are really good, but take the politics out of the VA and your videos/messages
I guess as a SUCKER AND LOSER, I’m supposed to believe the lying Chaplain and Divinity school graduate. Kick rocks, you pathetic Trump sycophant. Enjoy your time in hell.
All I know is the medical side of the house across all VA facilities in upstate New York are woefully understaffed. This includes the Syracuse Hospital and satellite clinics. It’s good seeing the DEI crap like pride flags gone from the lobby of the Syracuse hospital but they need a hiring blitz just to get up to full staffing and don’t say like Hochul did to the COs that 70% staffing is the new 100%.
You might note that this is from YouTube, and that comments are turned off. Reckon why that is?
The first lie in this little “speech”, echoed in what he said on his leader’s platform (“X”), is that veterans have been asking for more efficiency from the VA for decades. That’s nonsense; veterans may know that things can be more efficient, but that has never been a priority. The second lie is that the orange one is making things more efficient. I cannot tell you enough times that when you are looking to make things less wasteful, remove fraud and lessen abuse, you don’t fire the Inspectors General, and you don’t decommission the department of fraud, waste and abuse. You simply don’t start with dismantling the tools for doing what you say you want to do, and you don’t hire a bunch of snot-nosed computer guys to find Fraud, Waste and Abuse instead of analysts and accountants.
You’re not fooling anyone, you orange-nosed dimwit.
For what it’s worth, my father was a veteran, my brother was a veteran, I am a veteran, my son is a veteran, and my daughter-in-law is a veteran. I was born in the military and worked in and around it for more than 30 years.
How can we come to you for the TRUTH? Do you have a phone number we can call? Are you going to come out and do town hall meetings? Whats your email?
History will remember how you didn’t follow your oath and are destroying the VA.
There are lies, damned lies, and Doug Collins. We don’t believe you, Dougie. Nothing but smoke and mirrors. But maybe we’d at least be able to understand what you’re saying if you’d drop that “I’m just a good ‘ol boy, hayseed, straw-between-your-teeth” act. You know those contracts you’re cutting? Of course you don’t. You don’t have a clue what it is they do. You hear the word “contract” and like a shiny coin, you start drooling about cutting them. Benefits? You’re going to come up with some brand new system that will crash in a day. I’ve heard GSA is having a hard time getting yours and Trump’s official photos into the VA. I look forward to them arriving. Then, everytime I pass by, I will happily and enthusiastically give you both the “one-fingered salute.”
If the Secretary says they are protecting veterans then why are some veterans being laid off from some federal jobs and news about laying off 70,000 more veterans workers in addition to the already laid off veterand workers. VA should not be politicized. Claims appeals are taking forever to be approved.
Vinny
OEF Veteran
Can I go to the fat Whopper in the Oval Office? It sounds like a different message is coming from there.
Dear Colonel Collins,
I watched several of your videos and I’m not at all reassured. I’m hearing convincing reports that the VA will cut 80,000 jobs to shrink the workforce to pre-2019 staffing levels.
I’m a retired disabled veteran with 27 years of decorated service. I am grateful for what I consider excellent support from dedicated and caring VA employees. I remember vividly when the VA was held in low esteem by the Veteran community due to staffing shortages, dismal facilities, and inefficiency. The VA’s improvements have been impressive. To hear there are plans to reduce VA staffing by 80,000 (including 6,000 vets) and then be told that there will be no cuts in healthcare or benefits is not credible.
Even in the Chaplain Corps I’m sure you heard the saying “Don’t piss on my boots and then tell me it’s raining”. If there is fraud, waste, or abuse then go fix it — we’re standing by to help. Please don’t gut the VA under the guise of efficiency and end up harming those who served honorably.
Very Respectfully,
Former member of the Navy Submarine Service
It is disappointing to see the head of this agency speak in a low level way by choosing a favorite president. Especially when we can all see whether your (R) or (D) this man is hurting Americans. Plus he is a full blown draft dodger coward that doesn’t respect the military service. Stand on your own and don’t give this coward the credit.
Just stop with the draft dodger crap, it’s a stupid attack line. Biden and Clinton also dodge the draft. Also I met President Trump during the first administration and he definitely cares.
For the first time it seems that the VA system is finally working. Easy to make apppts, easy to get refills and easy to get in touch with your primary. Veterans are getting fired from different VA facilities. If anything, cut down on civilian hiring if they are not doing the job. You need to interview their supervisor to find out how and if thw worker should be fired. Instead, it’s a numbers thing and not a performance issue. If it’s not broken, leave it alone. It’s a real sad time for veterans.
TYANK YOU! I CAN SLEEP TONIGHT
Tom KOENIG
VIET NAM VET / US NAVY – BROWN WATER
I read some of these unhinged comments from wacked out leftists. Holy crap, do we have some seriously mentally ill veterans. I’d encourage you to NEVER decrease services to the brain damaged vets we have posting comments here. They are complaining about not brushing their teeth or washing themselves. They are complaining that our massive government debt is being trimmed and oddly enough they are complaining about the quality and quantity of their FREE healthcare. Yeah they served, so scrap that sniveling argument. But, the cost of medical care is not free, we have to pay for the doctors, lab work, Xray’s and MRI machines.
Yeah, it took 10 stinking years to complete my claim. The average time for a VA response to my rebuttal was 567 days and then to years after my disability claim was completed the VA tried to take it away and I spent another three years winning every point at the Court of Appeals. Yeah, all of the misery was caused by Obama and Biden and democrats in general. But, I’m sure it was Trump’s fault.
Because no matter how many democrats spit on veteran’s, call us terrorists and laugh when we die, it is somehow always Trump’s fault…………………right?
I saw a poll today that said 51% of the people support cutting the VA. So we should stop complaining. It don’t mean nothin.
Well, guess that’s that! Time will always tell the truth though.
I’ve heard the Secretary of Defense say that Veterans don’t need a pension and disability, as he sipped on his water in a shot glass.
Well, Mark, that’s a snide comment. Did you hear SECDEF say that yourself or were you listening to a libtard? We need to make sure you’re telling the truth or passing rumors.
You are a disgrace to our veterans. You swore an oath to uphold the constitution not to carry orange Putin’s water.
He is a liar and makes statements that have no basis in fact. Show us the line items, how they define these as waste or fraud, so veterans can accurately evaluate the impacts of terminating over 80,000 positions at the VA. They never do and you will begin to see the negative impacts.
If you carefully watch what DOGE or whatever you want to call it is doing, you will see that they over exaggerate what they claim and saving due to waste, abuse, & fraud but have to change that amount regularly as they have not proof.
A lot of fast talking with no substance…the proof is in the pudding, or should I say, the WHOOPER. We’ll see who’s telling the truth. Time will tell Sir! All these cuts are really not looking good for you. Efficiency comes in assessing programs, duplication of services, etc.; not reducing your workforce unless the programs call for it. We veterans are watching and we’ll be the judge of who’s telling the truth or not.
thank you sir
Suggestion, have the kiosks in all facilities so you can also complete your travel. It shouldn’t be different and or difficult or time consuming to complete a travel voucher.
NH VAMC has kiosks that you can check in and complete your travel right there. Go down to any MA VAMC none of the Kiosks ever have that option other than checking in for your appt.
My 75-year-old father in-law can’t be expected to be logging into VA.gov and navigating to the BTSSS dashboard, logging in again and then doing a search for the appt. Then build a claim and submitting it has been a terrible experience unpleasant to do. Other option is to find the office at the VAMC and do a paper one that add additional time to the visit onsite. Keep BTSSS for the more complicated claims, but simple mileage reimbursement is just as easy to do at a kiosk. Please standardize that in all facilities.
This is such a lie!!! Ironically, I watched this video while waiting for an appointment with my provider at the VA. When I met with them, they told me they weren’t sure if they would be here next week for my treatment. They’ve already closed some of the programs and let staff go. I can’t wait to post this article with my recent experience all over social media.
“We did not lay off any Veteran Crisis Line responders.”
Really? I know someone who was laid off.
How can we believe anything this administration says? We can’t.
Trump lies and the rest of you cover for him.
Unimpressed with the gaslighting. Please let us know when we can expect our healthcare, disability, and pensions to be cut.
Don’t be stupid and keep lying to us. You’re going to piss off millions of people who are war-hardened and many with poor impulse control. You’ll never sleep with both eyes open again. This isn’t a threat, it’s merely a prediction of what happens when you threaten veterans’ very survival.
No worse than Biden and his lies.
How about getting a doctor on staff at the Newnan, GA clinic? The VA expects me to drive across downtown Atlanta to see a Dr.
Most of these comments are odd considering democrats had been in power for 12 of last 16 years. If everything was hunky dory with your VA care, I could see the reservations with the secretary’s comments. I think the question us vets should be asking is: Do we continue down the same path or should we look at something else.
And out of those 12 of the last 16 years, how many times did they propose cutting VA staff by 80,000?
Yes Mr whoever, whatever you actually think vets are stupid and worthless now that we are disabled. Why don’t all you worthless pieces of shit in Washington go out and actually serve your country and its people. Send your children to fight (you don’t ever). Just remember if this administration takes away Veterans benefits
you (maga/nazi) will never serve office again. Trump looks so sick no amount of meds you put in him or makeup and tanning will make me believe he is doing anything Musk is in control. Someone that wasn’t even born in th USA.
It’s sad that after reading a majority of these comments that most of you are insane.
Thank you for cutting the fat that silly Joe Biden and Komrade Barry Obama put in place by creating jobs for people that don’t work.
Help me understand how safeguarding 300,000 of the current 400,000+ employees is not going to end up with laying off employees?
And explain to both your staff members and all our veterans how just 300,000 employees are going to be able to maintain current levels of services and access to healthcare and benefits for our veterans when over 400,000 current do it.
These “whoppers” you talk about are coming out of your mouth.
I’m all for eliminating fraud, waste and abuse, but you come across as uneducated and delusional by taking a chainsaw to the whole VA system and then telling us nothing is going to suffer. And that you care about veterans.
You are insulting all veterans when you speak/lie to us like this.
Too bad trump doesn’t care about veterans. He doesn’t care about you either, but you at least could stand up to him and protect us veterans.
Ironic that you profess support for vets but then follow Trumps’s lead in laying off thousands of unsuspecting vets to improve the VA. Hypocrisy, and you are now on the record as supporting a man who views vets as suckers and losers. Vets deal in truths. With that bootlicking video of lies you have show us where you stand. Shame!!
This man is a tRump puppet, every time his mouth moves, tRump is pulling the strings and a lie comes out. I’ll bet you couldn’t find a half dozen ethical people in this so called administration. America is in a sad state of affairs.
DOGE is seeking a 20% reduction in staffing, how is it possible to maintain level of care with this reduction. Also how does the VA plan to implement some if not all of the 5 bills working their way through the House that would shift funding and services to private providers.
As a Veteran, I’m supposed to believe a TRUMP APPOINTEE?
Give me a break – this is nothing more than rhetoric over substance.
I copied this from the Washington (AP): The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning a reorganization that includes cutting over 80,000 jobs from the sprawling agency that provides health care and other services for millions of veterans, according to an internal memo obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press.
Since you are a trump supporter, I DON’T BELIEVE YOU!
Thanks for all you are doing, I am thankful for what you bring to the VA
The last shoe hasn’t dropped, burger boy, and it’s not your call, so when the administration tells u what to do as a good private you’ll jump instead of resigning
I love it!!! Thank you President Trump for finally doing something positive for us veterans. Thank you Secretary Collins for talking to us in plain English about what’s happening. The Democrats want to hate any and everything our president does, but will still enjoy all the benefits. I have always received great service from the VA, and look forward to even better days.
God Bless America!!!!!
Trump and an all GOP Congress cut retired military benefits in 2018, lessening coverage and instituting premiums on those who served 20 or more years on active duty. In early 2020, Trump barred retired military from seeking care on most military bases. Considering how long one already had to wait on hold to speak to a VA disability representative, I have no question but that Trump is going to gut military benefits further, while also tossing thousands of veterans out of jobs. Less for our heroes, but gobs more for the already obscenely wealthy and support for our enemies in Russia.
Your words do match what is actually happening. I am no fool. I watch the sentae hearings, I read documetns directly from official government websites,, I have worked at the VA and I am a Veteran. The 98Million USD you are referring to came at the cost of firing federal employess, many whom were Veterans. So now those Veterans don’t have jobs. Absolute Disgrace. Departments in the VA have already reported struggles as they have been downsized including work on critical studies on medical conditions directly affecting our Veterans – including burn pit, cancer, and infectious disease. Regarding the 300,00 roles you have “protected”, that is a misrepresentation of the numbers. You said you are planning to lay off 15% of the VA providers and staff that support those providers on March 5. To focus on reducing employess, rather than first looking at the specific issues, you have clearly made it obvious that you are just misleading all of us Veterans with your insincere promises. However, one quarter of those you are laying off are Veterans – so once again, you are over simplifying a very complex system and issues. You cannot make this make sense – we finally had more employees addressing the needs and services of Veterans as evidenced by reduced wait times, increased access to the VA, and quicker claims time. Just saying you are restructructuring the VA by firing people is NOT being done well if you just fire people on probation. It takes investigation, reporting, understanding the systems, talking to the Veterans, talking to the empoyees, and not just acting over night. MAKE THIS MAKE SENSE. Our benefits our meaningless if we don’s have enough providers or staff to actually supply those services.
Any veteran who thinks you are on our side are fooled. You are acting brashly and sadly this is going to costs lives, lower the quality of life, and harm Veterans. You are not offering solutions. You are demonstrating that you and this administration are willing to make Veterans disposable. Shame on you!
So why is Alina Haba, Trump‘s personal attorney saying that they are making 80,000 cuts and that some veterans do not deserve jobs?
OMG. I depend on the VA. What’s going to happen to my healthcare?
I think that it it a shame that the Democrats and their lackeys are spreading misinformation. They made it plain that what they were going to do and they are doing it. It’s about time that all sections of the government is cleaned-up and run like a well oil machine. Anyone who is not brain dead can see that the government has been broken for yearsssss. The national debt has to be brought under control or else the United States will not be no more. OUR debt is fast approaching that point of no return.
You talk a good game, but actions always speak louder than words. You were put in that position by Trump and he only puts his loyalists in charge, people he knows will obey him to their core. What you say and what’s actually happening and reported are not the same. You can’t be trusted to take care of our countries vets.
You’re a liar. You’re a fraud. You are waste and abuse. The government owes veterans are benefits. It’s a contractual obligation. There is no other way to look at this and there’s no other way for this to be executed. It is insulting and it is shameful to even utter the phrase considering cutting veterans benefits. We are entitled to these benefits. We are entitled to these benefits. WE ARE ENTITLED TO THESE BENEFITS. To take them away would be a crime. There’s no other way to phrase or to comprehend this. Doug, you are not fit or qualified for the role you are underperforming in currently. Which is made glaringly apparent from your lack of a spine. Get it together. Stop being a puppet.
Trump mouthpiece speaking Trump lies… how does cutting 80k jobs help veterans?
I guarantee that statement doesn’t include transgender veterans or our care. I am never stepping foot in VA again because I’m gonna be made to use the wrong restroom and be addressed by the wrong pronouns, even though i’m fully transitioned with a vagina, thanks to this present and his disdain for transgender service members, veterans and anyone outside the gender binary.
I am so sorry Rene. It is so disgraceful that you are being treated this way. Your gender has no bearing on your honorable service, and you still deserve exceptional care that is gender affirming! I support you as a fellow veteran, and I am actively working as hard as I can to reach out to my representatives to encourage and enlighten them on this very issue. I hope that Judge Reyes stands firm in her upcoming decision to protect all Americans and treat them fairly regardless of gender identity.
He’s talking about this stuff as if it’s in the past, so that he can muddy the truth.
He’s right that none of these things have happened, but that’s not the problem that he’s pretending to address.
The cut to 80,000 VA personnel is set to happen in the future. So he’s obfuscating the truth I’m order to trick us into thinking everything will be fine.
I have been told that the homemaker services are being discontinued. The homemaker helps with medications, picking up groceries and medications, cooks meals, does cleaning, and takes vet to appointments. We have been told this from several of our providers that this service has been stopped for several of their clients. We are in the Texas coastal bend area.
Such a liar. I guarantee that statement doesn’t include transgender veterans or our care
LIAR. https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/60918 https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/60947
https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/60915
https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/60916
https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/60917
Someone needs to tell the (Las Vegas) Henderson, NV clinic. They’ve been less than satisfactory for me.
80,000 workers. Youre a freaking lying weasal. VA healthcare co cared away. More lies. Your turning our country into a garbage disposal. Political speak weasel.
Listen we know how smooth sweet-talking politicians are. There speeches are like the proverbial frog under the heating water, before we know it we’re being scalded in boiling water. Look let’s not get political here, politics aside, we know what is driving all these cuts, and it’s to make up for the 4 Trillion tax cut bill president Trump wants to pass for his billionaires friends and himself. Listen, there isn’t enough jobs or the shutting down of any Federal departments that’s going to offset a balance budget and the tax cuts proposed. NOT POSSIBLE!!! What we need is a responsible government that does the right thing, and own up to the obligations to veterans, social security and Medicare recipients, and the most needy in our society. Man! Can we look out and take care of each other and not use the positions we’ve been given to sock it to the downtrodden. I’m afraid this isn’t going to end well for our democracy when elected leaders don’t listen to their constituents, and the proletariats has to bow to oligarchs in dejected abandonment.
Yesterday we received a warn act due for 5/5 letting us know VA employees would be reduced back to 2019 status, so it will let go 80k plus employees. It will affect in some form and shape veteran care, what’s next get rid of veteran disability pay.
What VA positions by position title, grade and series are being eliminated? How many of those positions are encumbered by vets and of those how many are DVs? Have the projected RIF/cuts been provided to the bargaining unit? Will you just summarily fire these people or will you follow the law? Can we see the before and after organization chart that justifies the positions being eliminated and the info that establishes that the reorg will maintain the same level of services, projected savings and efficiencies accomplished? How will this improve services to the vet? Provide this information that justifies your position, and I may see it your way. If it doesn’t exist or you don’t provide it, then I see no reason than to agree with the vets below who question your motives. If it doesn’t exist or you are in the process of creating it to justify the announced cuts then you are backing into the position. Thank you.
Someone needs to tell the medical folks in Las Vegas/Henderson, NV. I’ve dealt with lower back issues for years. The VA sent me to the main VA hospital for an MRI. Then sent me to a “pain management clinic run by civilians (at an astronomical cost to the VA) for follow up. Then VA ONLY uses CD’s for their MRI’s. This pain management clinic had no method of reading the CD. And, it was like pulling teeth for me to get this CD from the VA. It was about a year long process.
During this process I walked out of one meeting with my provider at the Henderson clinic as she said she couldn’t help. (A PA last name Trinidad. She has since moved on) On my way out another employee asked “how was your visit today.” He subsequently had me sit as he went to the manager of the facility. He said, “he’ll see you in a minute” That wait was about 10 minutes with him not coming out to see me. I asked what he was doing. I was told “he was paying bills.” I walked out, obviously I wasn’t important to him.
ALL I INITIALLY WANTED WAS THE PAIN & MUSCLE RELAXERS I HAD BEEN TAKING, AS NEEDED, FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS. I have since found a civilian Dr for my needs. I am 76 years old and just want the time I may have left here on earth to be able to manage my back pain as I know I can.
I wish this was true but, when you have an administration (President) that lies to us everyday how do we believe you’re telling the truth? I am sure all our concerns will fall on deaf ears. I am sure the VA will go back to the way it was in the 60’s and not care at all about us Suckers and Losers. Thanks for nothing.
Two appointment cancelations by the VA, and they keep pushing out two months. I do not believe you!
A Burger King analogy doesn’t work with this Veteran : Quit bending the knee to the want to be King.
You are laying off VA employees. You should be embarrassed.
From AP News:
https://apnews.com/article/veterans-affairs-cuts-doge-musk-trump-f587a6bc3db6a460e9c357592e165712
From USA Today:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/03/05/va-layoff-federal-employees/81624579007/
From Wahington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/03/05/veterans-affairs-cut-employees-trump-doge/
From Government Executive:
https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/03/va-plans-lay-many-83000-employees-year/403477/
Wish I had confidence in what you said but I don’t. I know that the wait for veterans to see a psychiatrist for PTSD is extremely long and veterans are told to go elsewhere. I really don’t believe what you said just like I don’t believe what Trump says. Sorry but I don’t believe you will stand up for veterans but I do believe you will do whatever Trump tells you to do even if it means cutting veterans benefits!
https://military.com does a good job of factual reporting since the VA news site is now a propaganda channel.
We, the veterans, didn’t ask for the lifelong struggles we have because we chose to make a sacrifice to support our country. You are a piece of shit for just making stuff up. The sad part is, the Trumpper veterans are going to be so shocked when they’re homeless. I wish them luck.
How is cutting 800k jobs helping us veterans get the care we need. I have been without my own doctor for a few years now. They are now saying that I may not get another VA doc bc of your policies. All I see is a liar and a fraud appointed by a megalomaniac. Very frustrated with the fact that this administration has moved to change everything so fast. All you are doing is stress testing this US government and the fallout will be horrendous.
Regardless if you pro or anti trump, you have to love this guy.
This all sounds like more lies from bureaucrats while veterans suffer. Has anyone tried calling VA benefits to check on the status of there claims to be told that they have no information and the recieved a letter from the VA stating the same. Does anyone personally know veteran’s who were fired and are now at risk on ending up on the street? How about contacting your primary care provider only to be dua issued for weeks? The only redirection going on here is with the truth.
Don’t go to Capitol Hill for lies! You can get them right from Doug Collins!
When the layoffs occur, because this administration is doing what it said it would, and services suffer, we know who is complicit.
Dear Sir,
It has been proposed to terminate the employment of 80,000 VA employees. If this occurs many Veterans who work for the VA will loose their jobs. Also, this will affect the health care services of Veterans and will cause delays in claims processing of Veterans claims. However, you did not discuss the proposed employment issue. This is not funny. This is serious!
I am a 77 year old Veteran with 90% disability rating. I am unable to work and depend on my disability check for survival. I was discharged from the Army in 1985 with disabled status honorably. If I loose my disability check I will not be able to survive. Trump/Musk leave things alone that you know nothing about.
Thanx for listening to this “Crazy Old Woman.”
The VA telephone system is absolutely unsatisfactory.
1.) The centralized phone, call in, system is so inefficient that I am of the opinion that the last thing the VA cares about is the Veteran’s time.
Clinics do call the veteran, but are using phone numbers that do not identify as being from the VA. The calls show up as an “unidentified” number. When the Veteran tries to call back it goes to the centralized phone system where they usually wind up having to leave a message that may or may not make it to the appropriate care giver. It’s a “catch 22” type situation and needs to end.
2.) The centralized phone system wastes immense amount of time. Call into the system and listen to all the crap they want to go through. It’s not helping Veterans, it’s frustrating Veterans.
3.) Bring back, direct access to the provider.
4.) Community Care: What a ridiculous program. They only authorize 6 visits at a time. Will not allow the Veteran to call in before the sessions run out and then can’t issue the next 6 visits without a break of two to three weeks in treatments, thereby setting the patient back and limiting any progress in the treatments.
Dear Secretary Collin,
Thank you for addressing the recent rumors surrounding the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is essential that we maintain transparency and open communication as we navigate these challenging discussions.
While I appreciate your efforts to clarify misconceptions, I believe it is crucial to emphasize that the negative reactions stemming from these rumors are unwarranted. The focus should remain on our common goal: ensuring the well-being and support of our veterans and employees alike.
The issues of fraud, waste, and abuse not only impact the services provided to our veterans but also highlight inefficiencies within our workforce that require ongoing review and prompt action. It is vital that we uphold our commitment to accountability by continuously scrutinizing our internal processes and taking necessary measures to enhance efficiency.
I urge the VA and DOGE to prioritize this review to foster an environment that is both trustworthy and effective. By doing so, we can combat unwarranted negativity and reinforce our dedication to serving those who have served us.
Thank you for your leadership and for addressing these critical matters. I look forward to collaborating further to facilitate positive change within the VA.
Warmest Regards,
Steve L Butts, CWO, USA (Retired)
“Come here for news” bwhaha ha ha hahahaha. You DID, in fact fire crisis line responders. Saying otherwise just shows your lack of integrity and honesty.
The cuts have already terrorized workers and impacted my care. You lie. I don’t call a whopper line (how stupid are you?), I use news sources that provide the evidence.
When you cut benefits and service-connected conditions, you’ll claim there was fraud. There isn’t.
HONOR THE CONTRACT!!! (Thanks VFW for having the integrity to speak truth to power, unlike this lackey!)
Thank you for taking the time to address this issue. So many untruths coming from DC it is shameful.
The only “whoopers” are coming out of Collins mouth, parroting Musk, Trump. The medical schools use the VA for training. No way can the medical schools, schools of nursing, psychology, social work, physical therapy, etc continue to operate w/o a compliant, accessible group of guinea pigs to train on. So, where are the reps of those fields? Why aren’t they involved.
So no one that was a new employee and axed was on the crises line? No new doctors or nurses were fired? We are no longer ina long term war in Afghanistan and numbers do need to be cut understandingly. You are cutting and not saying what did on purpose. When a Republican or any other politician talks to you with no jacket on they are showing they are more than guilty all ready. LTC Coleman
I’m watching this video after finding out about active duty military families not receiving food assistance. I think we all need to be paying more attention to happening at the front!
My claim for PTSD compensation has been on a docket for a judge review since 20 April 2020. That’s FIVE years Mr Collin’s. Give me a break!!
Love what our new Secretary of VA says. Hope he can clear up the pipe line of delayed claims that take months to adjudicate. Upper level reviews are also painfully slow. Call me and I can give you some ideas on how to expedite claims.
thank for the information and help
The word “benefits’, at best, is somewhat ambiguous. What the Secretary (and others) need to do is actually define “benefits” Project 2025 for example (and the Secretary was associated with) clearly outlined that “benefits’ changes, cancellations and disability payments, in part are in their game plan, so to speak and, may actually affect many Veterans.
Disability qualifications may also change as with ratings, percentages etc.
TDIU (now IU) benefits is likely to be altered dramatically as well.
All I know for sure is that my current critical medical procedures at my VA medical facility regarding my bladder cancer have been postponed.
What all Veterans need from the Secretary is FULL DISCLOSURE. Further ‘chit-chat’ from the Secretary lacking FULL DISCLOSURE is, well, what it is; pure hyperbole etc.
This is not true ! They are falsifying tests to take AWAY disability ratings for the Vets. All false ! This needs DOGE to get involved. Cute little video, but many like ourselves, are suffering.
Thank you, sir.
This is the catch: benefits are going to be paid. What he isn’t saying is that disability ratings are going to be up for revision and it will be harder to receive one. That’s a card repubs have wanted to play for a long time. Remember, vets had to march on Washington to get the PACT act signed. In fact, the new wave of firings will directly target the workers hired to implement the PACT act.
I’m worried about the “stipend ” program being canceled. Even as a legacy, it’s all still up in the air. Please help out us Veterans who have already grown accustomed to being a caregiver for disabled Veterans.
So untrue!!! We you stress you staff the way Trump has done is bound to have a lasting effect on how Veterans are treated. How about the mandate the VA healthcare will no longer write reasonable accommodations for any veteran that uses them as a primary provider that doesn’t seem like you’re helping veterans to me.
Thanks Secretary Doug Collins i’m glad you are being honest with us. We will keep you and President Trump in our thoughts while all of this is going on.
Collins is a liar just like the fuhrer, fuck Trump and fuck you for voting for him.
Every morning the local Kansas City news reports 80,000 VA employees will be laid off. The VA staff treat Veteran’s very good, better than 60’s or 70’s. What is the truth?
I am a 76 year old Vietnam veteran
U.S.M.C. Sergeant I live in New Jersey.
The VA has been very good to me for my HEALTHCARE and medicine. It’s the only insurance I have for HEALTHCARE I’m 100% disabled veteran I’m on home Primary care from the VA I go through community care through the VA. My wife is my caregiver been married 53 years. I hope it’s true what I just heard you say if it is, you took a lot of pressure off of me, God bless America.
And thank you very much for the service you are giving to the VA thank you, sir you’re truly
Joel Nevins
Have the COURAGE to post your “Kick the can” video HERE on the official VA website!!! Why are you only posting that on Twitter? To further enrich Elon Musk? Be a MAN, show ACCOUNTABILITY, quit COWERING behind “obstacles” to clear and OPEN communication with the veteran community.
I am absolutely serious in saying that I would like a response to know why the “Kick the can” video message wasn’t also posted here on the VA website, but only on Twitter.
Why is it that when I try to call the advice nurse, all I get is some sales rep telling me that they have a special deal for me. And there is noway to avoid them and get to the nurse! I have to not go to an appointment because I can’t get through to cancel it!!!
Just another puppet for the Musk administration. The current administration is gutting this country under the guise of helping. This pair of clownshoes is complicit in aiding and abetting. Snake oil salesman.
“We’re putting Veterans number one back at the VA,”
By firing veterans and reducing the staff who we depend on.
Thank you, Doug. Great info.
R/Barry N. Moore
I for one can not thank VA health care enough. Since 2017 I have had one health issue after another and the VA has been there every step of the way rather it be in house or community care from southeast Pa to North Central Pa and everything in between I salute you. If anybody makes the VA any better it will be President Trump. To get this country back in shape it is going to po many but so be it. No pain no gain. Thank you Secretary Collins for the actual update.
Cut the bull shit BurgerKing comparisons. Yes find fraud abuse and waste. Do it smart. Don’t be a Trump dingleberry.
The condescension in this video is incredible. We are not privates gearing up for the final battle at NTC. Also, you are the whooper line. This administration has clearly laid out its intent to reduce and/or end Veteran’s Benefits in the manifesto, “Mandate for Leadership,” that it is following to a T. It is also intending to remove tax payers money from a federally ran program and place it in the hands of private interests. There is no world in which private capitalist interests will operate with the care of Veterans as priority one. Finally, you cannot announce that you will fire 83000 workers, including nurses and psychologists, and expect us to believe you when you say we will not be impacted.
No problems with any of the services, some times it could be faster, less conversome.
Things are so incredibly serious right now and this idiot is reaching out to us like a comedian? Like a bad comedian? We need serious leadership and this man has made himself a joke. Speak to us with respect for what we have sacrificed. With dignity. With serious care. Your partisan BS has no place here. Veterans are veterans under many administrations. You have no credibility and it’s your own fault because you treat this as a complete farce. Also, you didn’t say one word about how we will be constitutionally protected. And, if you think firing federal employees in Veteran settings doesn’t impact healthcare, you are wrong. I am a nurse. There is a terrible shortage, especially in rural areas. I am also a disabled veteran. Can we have you address things as an adult, please?
Mr Collins’ condescension and fast food references are offensive. As a veteran I expect transparency and not good ole boy “I told you so” rhetoric. It’s disheartening to say the least.
I, like my fellow vets, put our lives on the line for this country. We need better access to life saving treatments. What we don’t need is another politician telling us how stupid we are and talking down to us using references to hamburgers so that we can understand in poor people terms. It’s insulting and offensive.
For 20 years I have been appealing my VA disability rating. Went on 100% SS disability in 1999 but has not recognized the fact.
MAGA hates Veterans.
I am glad the new Secretary is affirming the priority of veterans and their benefits. I am disappointed he completely ignored the fact that 80,000 jobs will be lost in a very short time frame and how such a haphazard approach is likely to affect the capabilities of the VA. At our facility, we lost many long-term knowledgeable resources.
I can not stand your partisan propaganda messages. You’re supposed to be in your position solely for the administration of the VA and the care of this nations’ veterans. Instead you get on your platform and spew partisan talking points. Pleases remember the uniform you wore and the people you served with and put them first instead of placating the president.
Good news!! Thank you Sec Collins. I could use some help from you concerning my disability resolution, its taking me almost 9 years, and not resoloved yet. Please help!
We all know you’re a Trump lackey and will pretty much say anything the Dear Leader commands. I’d believe what you’re saying way more if you put away the pom-poms, quit kissing his backside, and didn’t try to banter your way out of the hard questions.
https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/60918 https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/60947 https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/60915 https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/60916 https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/60917
Exactly, we all need to let the administration know how we feel and how they are taking away our benefits. Fury is a great way to express how I fee.
So the people you’re letting go are not Veterans, right? I’m sure you would NEVER want to put a Vet out of work now, would you?
Thank you for setting the record straight for Veterans. I work for the National Call Center and we speak with Veterans and their families every day. So many of them are worried about their benefits and also about us as employees. Many have expressed their concerns about whether or not Call Center agents like myself will be let go. It would be nice if you could specifically address our service area so we may continue taking care of these callers and answering their questions and concerns. Thank you!
He’s lying to us.
I’m not sure what universe the secretary inhabits. In all cases where an organization cuts its workforce as drastically as he is proposing – 15% by his own admission – the ability of that organization to meet its obligations falls dramatically. He is lying to us veterans and to the American public. Fortunately most of us are intelligent enough to see through it. What a disgrace this administration is, to go after us Veterans after all we’ve given to this Nation.
All I hear is democrats and liberals crying…
Not true at all. Organizations make drastic cuts all the time in the private sector due to bloat and become more effective afterwards. All the time. Twitter is probably the most dramatic example but every corporation has experienced this on a regular basis in its own lifecycle. It’s necessary for the survival of any organization and our government entities are way overdue. So calm down Jen and quit insulting people. Spinoza once said “I have made an effort not to ridicule, not to bewail, not to scorn human actions, but to understand them” in other words, your mockery stems from ignorance because you refuse to understand. Ask why and be sincere in your journey. Lash out less, seek to understand more. Be better.
Veterans should receive medical care and attention to their health and families. They wrote a blank check to our government and some paid with their life and some with their health and sanity. They deserve all the support they need from the USA government end of story.
What percentage of layoffs have been veterans? Answer the simple questions. Stop gaslighting the patriots who have defended this country. The fake patriot magas don’t like service.
I don’t believe a single fucking word that comes out of a Trump appointed bootlicker.
If we want to know the truth go to your local VA health center/hospital and talk to the actual people working there.
You can talk all you want but the boots on the ground are going to know the truth
I have been to the Buffalo, NY VA, and you are wrong! I have ALWAYS been treated with dignity and fairness. I have not seen a cut in my benefits, and no one down at the VA is talking cuts.
I visit the VA hospital in Madison and my pcp quite frequently. I talk to a lot of vets.
I can’t agree with your statement. I hear more about how well they are being treated. Yes, unfortunately some may feel differently depending on their situation.
But overall , for myself, for many years have received the best possible care.
Sorry that you feel you will not be cared for as you deserve.
VA Secretary Doug Collins,
Thank you for the update and congratulations on your appointment. You are very reassuring. I have one question from the video update. Where was the 98 million taken from that you redirected to veterans care?
Ed
Reno, Nevada
Where do you get your information? You need to do better research!
We don’t believe you. Smoke and mirrors. When you started talking about what others haven’t done, you sound just like Trump. He’s going to gut the VA and I believe you’re going to help him.
You said it…
Where are you receiving your information—MSNBC or CNN? Cite your source, or move on and spread your propaganda elsewhere.
This is great news. I saw just this morning that 73,000 people were being laid off. Bad news. If my 70% service-connected disability was cut off, I’d be sleeping on streets. Keep up the good work and God bless you.
I work at the VA, we are operating in constant fear and anxiety. Do not believe what he is saying.
He’s lying to us. Expect all benefits to go away: healthcare, disability, and pensions. Trump and his lackies are gutting the government. Better organize.
your disability will never be cut off unless you are collecting on it due to fraud.
They’re absolutely firing tens of thousands of people, he’s just lying to try to prevent people from realizing how badly he’s trying to screw us all over.
Thanks for clarified that rumor.
I have a bridge to sell you.
As a Veteran who currently works at the VA, I am disgusted by you and the entire administration. None of you give a damn about Veterans, if you did you wouldn’t be firing over 83,000 employees!!!!!!
I still remember trump saying the civilian award means more than the military awards. After he received his donation from said award recipient (of course it was a billionaire).
Ricky- Collins was a lying sack when he was in congress, he was maga and is more maga now that he is directly working for trumpet! The Liar in chief loves toadies like
and because they are controllable
Here is Pinocchio with a bunch of lies. This man doesn’t care about Veterans, he just care about being in the good side of his daddy.
Love your comment and I agree with you totally.
So another Trump appointee toes the line and lies to their constituents. Veterans deserve better. You can’t fire 80,000 employees unexpected to conduct business as usual. The veterans will suffer as a result of your cowardice. Stop kissing the ring of a draft dodger and stand up for everyone who put their life on the line in defensive this country.
We live in an age where all we need do is see the other person as a liar, and they are, don’t you know, because we are God and we have spoken. Truth is, not what we say it is or judge it to be.
You should lay off some of them that are not doing their jobs. I’ve had a bad experience a time or two.
You’re not the only one. My experience has been so bad, I literally purchased my own private Healthcare insurance post op (neck surgery) so I don’t have to deal with the VA for anything. Jsmh, I am hopeful that Trump/Collins can fix this mess they call The Veterans Administration. I had a solid VA Doctor for 13 yrs, then it was 1 new doctor every year afterwards when Biden took over (I’m sure it was just happenstance). Then I get a new young doctor that just decides he’s no longer offering pain management. Imagine having a job where you can just decide not to do part of it and still keep your job and get paid the same. I won’t air everything out here, but I hung in there as long as I could. But when even the patient advocate is a joke, takes a week to call you back post op, you know it’s a losing battle. I’m out of the system for good unless I see proof that things are fixed. Firing 3 key people at my clinic would be an excellent start.
Liar.
Have you been drinking?
Thank you.
This is such a poorly done piece of disinformation and I did not find it humorous nor sincere. The felon called all of us veterans “suckers and losers”. We don’t believe you Doug but nice try. We know you are just aniother talking head for the felon.
Agree with you Totally.
That’s been proven false many times
Never happened so get over it.
During my 20 years service, I personally cut $10s of millions of dollars of inefficiencies. Unlike your team, I had to clearly express the negative impacts. Without telling everyone the cons, you are doing nothing but gaslighting all of us that have served. I appreciate you saving our deficit, but at what cost?
GIVE The Changes a CHANCE
You aren’t understanding what is going on. You can’t dismantled the government and build it back up in ANY TIMELY MANNER.
Our enemies will catch us with our pants down.
Really? If an organization cannot survive cutting some fat, we are doomed. They are not cutting DoD, we continue to be the most lethal Armed Forces on the planet.
how is cutting the VA workforce by 15% going to be a good change when the VA already has trouble serving vets with the staff they have . please take your political hat off and put your thinking one on.
are you serious? We don’t have to give them a chance, the chance is being shoved down our throats.
The “changes” are gutting the government. It’s an excuse for Trump to raid the treasury. Don’t believe them; they’re bold faced lying to you.
Would you like to sign up with not having your benefits or job for this “change”? Many vets had t fight to get the few benefits they have so you got to understand them not trusting anything to of change
I suppose the firing of mental health workers, those doing research on chemical toxins, Burn pits, and various forms of cancer were also not mission critical. But please continue with the fast food analogies, your not fooling anybody.
The way to increase efficiency isn’t to arbitrarily cut positions and tell the remaining folks to figure it out. You first analyze and improve the process, then you look at what positions are no longer needed. This is such basic management I can’t believe musk is getting away with this. This administration clearly does not care about veterans. And that seems like a very dangerous group to piss off.
DO YOUR JOB FOR THE VETERAN NOT FOR TRUMP MUSK OR DODG
This is the catch: benefits are going to be paid. What he isn’t saying is that disability ratings are going to be up for revision and it will be harder to receive one. That’s a card repubs have wanted to play for a long time. Remember, vets had to march on Washington to get the PACT act signed. In fact, the new wave of firings will directly target the workers hired to implement the PACT act.
I’m watching this video after finding out about active duty military families not receiving food assistance. I think we all need to be paying more attention to happening at the front!
I don’t believe a word you say, Mister Secretary! You are nothing but a puppet of two men who didn’t serve one day in the military, Trump and Musk.
Screw this sycophant. He is lying through teeth his like his cult leader. Do not believe a word coming out of his mouth.
why do you have facts ???? I hate liberal veterans must have a desk job hahaha
Crisis lines? Yes, no cuts. Customer service lines? no, massive cuts. Without customer service, how do we make appointments? Your nonsense doesn’t cut it.
When it comes to scheduling appointments, you have the option to do it online at VA.gov. If you’re not computer savvy (like many), have a family member or friend help you. You must create an account at VA.gov and go from there.
If true, then why is my claim still under review since Oct 2024. This guy really needs to se the big picture. Why do Officers get approved in a couple of days not MONTHS?
Be prepared to be denied and have to fight to re-apply. Normal operating procedure.
Keep documenting your ailments. Keep going to appointments to show you need care.
Ya had me right up until the end. Then you brought Asshat into the story. Nope. That’s a hard “Bullshit!” for me.
because it takes time dumb ass and you know this because your VSO told you that!! , im service connected 100% and it wasnt a walk in the park, my advice to you is dont push the button be patient.
Don’t try to separate us by officer and enlisted. I’m an officer and it took me over 6 years to go from 10% to 60%. I’ve been at 60% for 4 years.
I’m an officer. My claim was completed in 14 months.
Also, took me over 15 years to go from 50% to 60% and 10 more years to go from 60% to 80% (and that was for cancer.)
DOUG THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VA SYSTEM EVERYTHING HAS WORKED FINE FOR YEARS TRUMP AND MUSK DODGE NEEDS TO STAY OUT OF IT GIVE HE WORKERS THEIR JOBS BACK WE NEED THEM I SUGGEST THAT YOU START BEING FOR THE VETERAN AND BIPARTISAN WE ALL SERVED TO DEFEND OUR COUNTRY WE DESERVE ALL OUR BEFNEFITS AND I SUGGEST YOU USE THE VA SYSTEM TO TELL US ANYTHING NOT X OR SOCIAL MEDIA
The VA system is broke. I spend many hours a day helpng veterans wade through the system as well as finding them therapies anbd treatments that will work for them and not hinder them.
As a 100% diabled veteran myself who went through hell to get that I do not want any veteran have to go through what I did.
Wonderfully stated. As a grateful family member of a spouse with VA healthcare and DAV benefits, I can share that the VA has stood behind our needs every step of the way. I never doubted that the VA would reduce care and benefits but thrilled to see this article dispelling that rumor.
I will spread the word.
Do not spread this video. Secretary is literally lying. Use GOOGLE.
VA cutting 80,000
VA cutting suicide helpline
Etc
Bravo and well said! Some unsophisticated people (here) are spreading lies because of their hatred for the current administration. The smart veterans will see right through the lies that have been told here and realize—the VA is here to help.
Only if he is not lying like his boss does repeatedly… The auto makers are all on board for tariffs BUT 24 hrs later he gave them an exemption since they obviously were not. So many lies, hard to find one to believe and this isn’t one of them.
He’s lying, Linda
Don’t spread it. This is disinformation.
Doug is lying to you. Benefits will be cut: healthcare, disability, and pensions. Time to organize.
He’s cutting tens of thousands of jobs, he’s a liar appointed by a convicted liar. He has confirmed that there’s going to be over 76k jobs cut and he wants to tell you that it won’t impact service because he doesn’t care, he just wants to get rich off of our suffering.
Your own administration has leaked that you plan to cut 70,000-80,000 employees from the VA due to “restructuring”. The timelines for disability claims, education claims, and medical services are WOEFULLY slow even after the additional staff authorized by the PACT ACT and now you want to go back to 2019 levels when it was WORSE? Shame!
This is crazy what Donald Trump is doing to the VA. I have doctors and nurses that have been great with me. I have an amputated left leg and maybe the right leg in the near future. I don’t know if he’s planning to cut different programs, nurses or doctors. Either way he is messing with my life. He is one crazy and worthless president I have ever seen on my 73 years of life!
During your confirmation hearing- you promised that you would notify Congress of any cuts. You lied then. You’re lying now. You’re just another politician lying to veterans. How can you say 80,000 people being cut won’t have an affect on veterans….. in my opinion, you’ll go down as the worst VA secretary and someone who backstabbed their own.
That was a nice speech. But I don’t believe anything republicans say. They are liars. This guy will do everything the White House tells him to do.
It wasn’t that great if a speech. It was full of falicies and he had marbles in his mouth. Couldn’t talk straight or be bothered to do a second take. Was he drinking?
A lazy liar.
Veterans are watching.
The liars are the idiot democrats! Biden and clan f*cked everything up!
Can’t believe a word you are saying. Trump despises veterans and he is showing his true self. Maybe he can give a Freedom Medal to all of his flunkys
read what u wrote, comprehend it! then look up VP JD Vance service. Then go to store and purchase your clown makeup. the end!
I mean he’s claiming that the layoffs of up to 76,000 employees will not affect veteran healthcare + that is mind-bogglingly false or at the very least insanely naive of him to say.
I mean it was definitely shown that at least a few people who worked on the veterans crisis line were laid off and then were later extended offers to be rehired because they realized. Oh no, we’re firing these people that we shouldn’t be.
I’m sorry but when you lay off 76,000 personnel some services are going to be affected. So don’t try to lie to us and tell us that veterans healthcare services are going to be absolutely fine.
Your so full of shit I wish they would fire your ass to Mr Collins
I’m not getting the assistance I need with my dental.it’s been over 5 years and nothing is happening. I am all tired out
My claim has been in stage 5 for about a month what’s going on
It sits on the bottom of the pile on some ones desk who isn’t there
Lying criminal and terrorist
i tried for years also. I had to personally go and have surgery to have implants put in. I hope I can get help with the surgery costs but I was out of teeth and options. Not the answer you wanted im sure but you gotta do whats best for you
If you’re 100 percent disabled, you do qualify for dental at no additional cost.
Trump administration plans to cut 80,000 employees from Veterans Affairs, But keep telling us Veterans won’t be impacted. We don’t believe you.
Right? They specifically said the VA would not be touched yet here we are. And this clown is trying to gaslight us into thinking cutting 80k people will somehow make things more efficient. But to be fair; the Trump fans fall for so many lies.
Trump is just cleaning house,waste and abuse of our system for us veterans. The VA hospitals in cleaning out.
Enough with people like you spewing that nonsense. There has been zero fraud found. You need to stop watching Faux News and listening to Joe Rogan.
Educate yourself before posting lies.
No. Trump is a traitor that is dismantling our Country and OUR government. Trump cant build businesses, he destroys them.
Do you not remember the movie Red Dawn? Do you not understand that Putin is one of our WORST ENEMIES? Are you too young to remember the World Wars?
Exactly! There is a lot of waste and fraud happening. Cut the fat from the pork, and you’ll have a healthier meal.
Don’t believe the lies!
To Jose,
I hope what you are writing is sarcasm, if it isn’t????????
Wrong, there has been no time or effort put into identifying waste and abuse. This is arbitrary demolition. This is a quack doctor amputating your leg to help you lose weight.
Trump has prevented the on boarding of nurses that were needed in the VA I work at. We were already sort staffed and now we can’t even bring on the new hires. They are forcing people that have worked nights for over ten years to take turns working days. This will not end well. Thanks for the hiring freeze don the con. (sarcasm inserted)
How do you know this?
I dont know about you but VA has been absolutely terrible always! Lets not act like becasue we have “said” number of people working somewhere it makes the place function better. This is where all who are complaining about layoffs are completely lost. You can layoff those who arent the best at what they do and still have way better service. You can cut out of office jobs if someone who agrees to come into the office can do and better. Stop focusing on the “Veteran” aspect and focus on efficiency for the Veterans because thats what we all want. We are tired of waiting 3-4 months to see someone, and so on. The VA has been broke for decades and to act like its just happening is a complete lie.
You’re going to cut 83,000 VA employees. Shame on you.
We All Know VA Not hurting Loosing Employees doing NOTHING
Unfortunately, the firings are indiscriminate. They’re just cutting folks without evaluating what they do or the level of their performance. If they were performance-based firings, I’d be in agreement, let ’em go but DOGE is just cutting based on the number of employees they want to see gone.
70,000 more VA employees to be terminated? That is what the News outlets said this morning. How can that not affect our care. I was concerned about losing 2,500. Can you explain what’s happening? I have a claim pending for about 10 months now. I have surgery scheduled. Is it true that 70,000 more will be fired?
80,000 . As soon as he praised Trump I knew it was a lie, there would be more and it’s the usual smoke & mirrors.
https://apnews.com/article/veterans-affairs-cuts-doge-musk-trump-f587a6bc3db6a460e9c357592e165712?fbclid=IwY2xjawI1qfBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYF7s9VfPMykLt3LyeYC4Rs0ykJPd1ZUhsuomvDVe_QI6EFuDU34SojhOg_aem_B7DgTyOt92dW2bjcCXFrpg
I read the article, and yes, 80,000 jobs; however, of the 80,000, how many are ready to retire? How many perform a duplicate job?
When are you going to learn that news outlets are unreliable.
All Veterans deserve good quality health care in return for their commitment to protecting the United States. All health care workers and the services and supplies needed for their care should be encouraged and protected. Intimidation, harassment and removal of Federal health care workers is not productive. Many VA health care workers are suffering and as a result Veteran care will suffer. Is this your intention?
Yes we shgould but all it takes to be denied is an opinion of one VA doctor. AS of now I am fighting a VAMC tooth and nail to get veterans a prcedure the VA approved back in 2023, but since it is not Medicare approved even though 40000 people have received it with 82% positive results my VAMC denies everyone because of one doctor.
I received it a few months ago on my own dime and it works. After 25 years of suffering chronic back pain, I no longer suffer that anymore. I no longer have siatica or any nerve pain down my legs and feet and no longer have a constant pain number of 8.
Most of our central supply staff have been let go. Our fee-basis physicians have been let go. None of our open position for “mission critical” employees are not being filled. Care IS being impacted. And anyone with Google knows that you DID lay off Crisis Line staff.
You laid off most of our supply room staff, laid off our fee basis physicians, and aren’t backfilling any of the “mission critical” positions when people leave due to destroyed morale. Care IS suffering. Oh, and you absolutely laid off Veteran’s Crisis Line personnel as anyone with Google can verify…
And if you rely on Google, you’re an idiot!
So are the people that rely on Fox News.
Jim. This person is talking from working there…… not just Google.
I went to my VA hospital today and asked around and yes their workloads and jobs are being negatively affected in a very big way.
If you rely on the word of a guy put in by a liar, you’re a rube. This guy doesn’t give a shit about us, Trump has openly mocked veterans repeatedly.
I know people who have been fired, Jim. Feel free to share a source contradicting that if you have one. Instead of just attacking another member ad hominem.
My husband is 100% and just had a Mini stroke. Taken to hospital by ambulance keep two days and told immediately to go to vascular surgery. The hospital scheduled him 3/3/25, now 3/10/25 because we have been shuffled around for community care. Please send help Marine need someone to help immediately.
Lolololol. You actually think anyone that likes Trump cares about us? Yikes!
They classified Surgical Nurses as non essential, and fired them. Stand up to this Administration, or get out of the way for someone who will.
Source, please?
Whose they?
https://nurse.org/news/va-fires-nurses-doctors-trump-federal-cuts/
To whom it may concern:
I wrote several emails to the Secretary of VA since he stepped into office.
The first one I got a email later stating it would be passed on the office
of client relations February 6th 2025. February 13th 2025 I got this really
lame letter mailed to me in a near comical cardboard envelope from a
Dr Patricia Hastings of Health Outcome Military Exposures.
This was a short insulting 2 pages of material chopped together from
Google snippets. As if I was too stupid to understand what Im writing
about. It was meant to drive me off. Sec of VA Doug Collins must have
signed off on this. Which means he endorsed this letter.
If this is true, we have a true coward here who does not plan to back
anyone. He is here to cut budget, cut benefits, cut employees, cut bait,
and think dismantle is enough. That he has no ideas of his own and
does not respect that of others beneath his position and rank. In essence,
i need to be wealthy and prove I dont need him to get his interest.
This post went out on LinkedIn which got a real big reaction. As people
read the letter they saw for themselves what VA has in store for all of us
not hiding at the top floors in 810 Vermont street. Except there are high
profile folks including upper VA executive staff that got my letter at LinkedIn.
They kind of get the writing on the walls. No one is safe, not even them.
LinkedIn shows me when they come to my profile and what they look up.
People, you keep ignoring my remarks here about organizing. VA does not
fear you as individuals venting here. 10 of you saying the same thing in
unison is very different. 100 of you asking the very same thing would be
very spooky to VA. The biggest thing that would help all of you is a open
door policy at VA where they cant turn you away. You show up at the front
doors they have to talk to you, they dont now.
Between the 4 Sec of VA video post the moderators have censored about
half of what I sent in. Especially if it was the same thing between all 4. Im
not using profanity, vulgar topics, religious or political remarks, or anything
near as offensive as what I have been seeing posted in here. So Im being
black balled on any unification post or links to anything Im doing.
Writing here is one thing, but standing alone isnt helping any of you. With
over 2,000 comments on the first video post – that was the time to rally on
certain points. By the 4th they have been censoring much more heavily.
In fact, they were deleting remarks over the weekend.
Deployment Health is the enemy here. They are trying to manipulate the
Sec of VA to reinstate old prejudices and outright lies to keep us in check.
2 months from now he will shut us out and probably kill public comments
as unproductive. Then you really wont have any access to executive staff.
I was one of the first folks through in February 6th, and VA said “Insult and
drive Mr Love off – too bad so sad”. That means this is universal. Only certain
people are allowed to speak within VA, and its only the in crowd. That some
of us are more equal than others.
Demand equality, and demand open door policy. These are public servants,
not a private mens club or golf course of the wealthy. Stop turning us away
at the door as if we were illegal immigrants or carpet baggers.
Thank you for your detailed response to this ridiculous propaganda. You make a very good point about doing more than venting on a forum and organizing. Do you have any recommendations for veterans who are looking to use their voice for more ? I am part of the local events in Virginia but sadly many of the veterans around here still think Trump and his team of sycophants are doing a good job all well our rights and benefits are slowly being eroded from under us.
You say that 300,000 employees were kept and were These surgeons and their critical support personnel along with the custodial staff needed to maintain cleanliness? Why have the wait times for surgical procedures been delayed then?
To Doug Collins, I was exposed to Agent Orange while stationed in Udorn Thailand in 1974, due to my exposure I developed Chronic lymphoma leukemia, which was listed as a presumptive condition. The VA just dropped my Leukemia disability rating from 100% to 0%, at 74 my Anxiety went through the roof….Im still in shock
I am a Vietnam vet, 73 with diabetes and a presumptive of AO. I was rated at 20% for this and currently overall 90%.
I know with any ailment that you are rated for, you will get VA health care and be treated for that ailment.
Some people get better and others are stable or get worse.
If you are indeed rated 100% for just that one ailment, it must be very severe.
So please, if you can share the rest of your claim as to why you were reduced to 0%. You must have gone into remission and have a clean bill of health. You still have your ailment, however it has gone silent. They will keep you at 0% and can be increased if the ailment becomes worse.
The VA doesn’t just reduce your benefits for no reason.
Was your anxiety because you all of a sudden lost almost $5k a month or that you feel you will no longer be treated?
I’m so sorry you are having to deal with this change. I hope it is some clerical mistake that is easily rectified. If not, the bureaucracy will be difficult as you maneuver through the steps as I’m sure you know. Keep going forward, your claim is valid and your compensation should return. That said, my belief that our government is functioning in good faith is non-existent.
Please reach out to someone to talk to keep your mental health balanced through this journey. You are a worthy, valuable person. I hope you are able to go from 0 to 100 quickly!
your lying
sounds like a clear unmistakeble error on the VA’s part. DId they send a letter telling you why? Go see your VSO immediatrely to remedy this problem. Your 100% rating should have been protected.
If the VA cuts benefits then no one will sign up for the military. Elon’s children can go to dangerous foreign lands to fight for the US.
Yeah right- when have the rich ever done anything in service to their country.
Trumps klan has been voting against their best interest since 2016. This will change nothing in their eyes.
On Trumps first term he started community care. It saved me from traveling 60 miles to get treatment.
Ordinarily I would relay on the VA for accurate information, but since their current director was appointed by a pathological liar who demands total loyalty from his subordinates, I can not trust anything he says. I place my trust in professional journalist who still have integrity.
If what you say is true why was my appointment for Feb. 27 cancelled due to the VA not doing the paperwork? W hen I called the 28th I got a recording saying I have no appointments, even though the appointment was moved the 11 of March on the 26th? I get a real person at the hotline number but only recordings at all other numbers.
From a family of veterans I am astonished by the possibility that veterans’ care is on the table for federal government cuts. Please keep us posted about any changes so we can make appropriate adjustments based on our needs, Mr. Collins.
Also be generous enough in understanding that in many cases, veterans become vulnerable the more they age, in many cases, as a result of stress on the heart.
We wish you success with steering our massive Veterans Affairs ship.
Don’t believe what he says. The guy’s a sycophant and a liar. He’s gaslighting everyone. Expect to see our benefits go away: healthcare, disability, and pensions. Trump and their criminal gang are raiding our Treasury to give $4.5T to their rich friends and the VA is on the chopping block.
You where doing fine until you sucked Trumps dick at the end.
How is this comment approved?
I am very concerned to read about the proposed cuts to veteran’s programs and how the recent probationary employee terminations and suggested mass layoffs are going to negatively impact the care my husband receives. Is there an actual business need to support these broad cuts or is this just being done because of a DOGE whim?
I hope the VA has not allowed the same amount of personnel to stay at home VA care has suffered After COVID allowed many to remain at home and veterans suffered.
I worked for the VA and proud to do it, now am on the other side looking in and was an inpatient shocked at the care
Many of us looked forward to surveys but the inspectors were lead and supervised by upper admin and certain pts were excluded for any measure to conceal the truth.
So Sir,
If you are saving money elsewhere to redirect back to actual veterans’ services, why does VA/VHA/VBA contract with an entity that has committed HIPPA violations and Fraud by billing the veteran for services/equipment that was provided to a 100% schedular Veteran who is P&T? Note the entity has been cited 3 times for violations of HIPPA Privacy and security Rule, 2 times VA was party to the settlement…. This is the same enmity that used Overseas contractors to evaluate Patient data that was used to create patient reports and billing information.
Why does your Privacy Office, OIG and Contracting Office continue to ignore the information and not engage with the reporter?
Note I do have delivery and read receipts to substantiate that I provided this information to the Department (all the way from the local facility up to the National Level. (Lebanon VAMC up to Central Office). Additionally I am in possession of an email from your Central Office Privacy Officer stating they were not going to investigate?
I get it you have only been in Office a short time, however this has been before the proper VA/VHA/VBA Officials since at least December 2024, with no action.
Doug,
If you want to make a huge difference in the quality and efficiency of care provided by the VA here are 2 suggestions:
1. Looking at the posted patient per day stats for Primary care they see 12-14 patients per day (my pcp sees between 10-12 and complains he is over worked) This is glacier like compared to the “dreaded Private Sector” where PCP’s see 31 patients per day. If expectation was raised to 21 patients per day (or 2/3 of the expectation of their peers in private practice” the back log and quality of care as well as job satisfaction will increase dramatically. These folks are not challenged with high expectations, and the result in many cases is apathy, and it shows in the overall care provided. Efficiencies can be driven by using pre appointment questionnaires to cut down the interaction time and get to the meat of the problem rather than using the exam room time to cover the same info.
2. Increase the operating hours from 0800-1600 to 0700-1900. This way more patients can be seen at hours that are convenient to the patients, rather than the patients having to bend to the convenience of the providers and staff. I find more often than not that if I need a quick appointment I’m referred to the community. That is just passing the buck, letting a low expectation to continue to fester, only to let someone else clean up for their lack of enthusiasm for their work.
I just called in to my local CBOC to be seen for a severe respiratory infection, was told I will need to go to a local urgent care because my PCP is booked solid. I asked how many patients he sees a day, and it’s 10-12. I could imagine that the stress of seeing just one more patient would send him over the edge. It would ruin his exceptionally low productivity history, and force him to work at a razor thin higher level of output to meet the new record smashing unsustainable quota he has created for himself.
These folks want and need to be excited and challenged with higher levels of care and productivity than they ever dreamed possible. They have no call, no rounds, yet their output is half that of their peers who the VA benchmarks themselves against in their outcomes reporting.
I have full confidence in your willingness and ability to create a patient centered healthcare system that serves at the pleasere and convenience of the veterans and not the other way around.
Scott, I want to share my experience as a member of Veterans For Peace (VFP), where a group of us actively opposed the outsourcing of veteran healthcare under what was known as the Mission Act back in the summer of 2022. We were joined in this important effort by the Nurses Union of California and the Veterans Health Policy Institute (https://veteranspolicy.org/). I sincerely encourage you to take some time to visit VHPI’s website and learn about their impactful work. Although I’m not affiliated with them, I deeply respect their dedication and commendable efforts in this field.
The only services that should be outsourced is where the facility does not have staff to be able to accommodate veterans…oh wait I see what they’re doing. /s
Out sourcing is a way to give veterans care that the VA can’t provide. I have used CC for a few of my operations due to no VA doctor could perform what I needed so I was sent to the best surgeons in my area.
Private sector have to see 25-30 patient per day to break even on their overhead and expenses. Another point is that in the private sector the appointment slots are 10 min block. At the VA the appointment slots are 30 minutes for primary care and a hour for a new patient. In all my considerable experience as a nurse I can tell you NO PRIVATE PROVIDER will willingly spend 30 minutes let alone 60 minutes with a patient they can not make money doing that. Each slot on their schedule is a paycheck to them not a patient.
I read these comments, and many appear to be written by trash-talking Trump haters.
ABOUT TIME! What about these drive thru civilian medical disability checkers that the VA sends us to. I have had some that were good (1 or 2) but most don’t have a clue what they are looking for. Example here3 in the Dallas area for my hearing loss. Two female attendants, one asked the other, “what are we to do? the other gal I think we are to check his ears. Here, take this light and look into his ears.” After that she told me OK you are good to go. I have also at different times aske me what am I here for.
That is absolutely not true! Sen. Duckworth had to force you to reinstate workers who had been fired from the Veterans Crisis Line. When you do not speak the truth, Mr. Secretary, you undercut the confidence that people have in the VA.
Well, he is a Trump supporter, so we should all not be surprised he’s a professional liar.
Unfortunately, we will see more videos of this nature from this clown.
Read this story at the link included, and think about the video Mr. Collins posted. https://www.military.com/daily-news/opinions/2025/02/21/speak-va-health-care-gutted.html Does it seem like we are being told the truth Mr. Collins?
sure am glad a politician told me. so trustworthy. not disgusting humans at all.
all politicians and filthy rich people gross me out. they go to bed at night knowing what they are. we make them richer in these wars they are too weak to fight themselves and then they are gross enough to lie and roadblock our benefits.
Please look into how long it is taking to get disabilities approved. I feel the phone service is very helpful. Those that take our calls. Very caring. Thank you
Why does it take an average of 6 months to 3 years to answer a claim for compensation.
Mr Secretary of Veterans affairs,,urgent.
My husband died on December 28,2024,
I’m filing for my benefits, when I called I spoke to a woman a while ago that the veterans money is his and the spouse I really nothing,
I told my husband what she said, just to explain is my husband died after 53 years of marriage, his income was
Pension 844.12, compensation was 4,638,12 the finance department to all money back for December and January 2025 well that closed my account the military said I had to pay back 7,147.84 so they put a hold on my account, I have been trying to get things settled,they too too much money my account hold till I pay this money, then I was told I will recieved 2004.00 monthly that puts a hole I will now loose my house. My husband has been sick a long time since 2014, he was granted his compensation. Our income was all his he had no life insurance did not qualify because of all his illness, he had Agent Orange, heart decease very badly, I have all his records plus the drs letter stating he did have agent orange. I will now loose my house, and every thing we both had after 53 yrs the wife is not noticed by the military…. He also had a pension with the board of education of which I was supposed to get 100% and they told me only 500 dollars of which he was receiving over 2000 dollars there saying that Joe my husband said to them 500 a month he thought they ment savings account plus pension, he did not understand stand my husband did have a problem with comprehensive problems so he never said anything to them when he finally told me I explained to him that they lied on explaining to him,,, before he died he had me call to verify he was cheated.. so I need help my husband of 53 yrs, please contact me I really need help he was in Viet nam desert storm and desert shield 3 wars came home a mess each time,,,but loved his country busted his angle spilled blood 8n rice patties and then desert storm and shield came home with a rash on him all over the military’s did nothing,,now his wife is going to live in the street HELP….
Dorothy, please contact your Congressional representative so they can assist you!
Part of their job is to be a liaison for veterans and military families and help them get what they need from federal agencies like the VA.
Give them a call, tell them everything that happened, and ask that they assign a case worker to get the answers you need.
Spouses of deceased veterans should be taken care of.
I’m waiting for the letter which advises me that my benefits will be reevaluated. Your not being truthful.
I am a 100% disabled Vietnam Veteran and have lost my kidney function due to agent orange. I am going to dialysis weekly and the VA provides me with transportation, however the transport company is almost always late (over a hour). I have complained to the company and the VA however it has not helped.
The VA said they only had “one” transport company. They charge hundreds of dollars per trip!
I had my wife take me and asked for travel pay and they gave me $ 1.44 cents.
I think someone should investigate this as to me the whole situation stinks to high heaven!!
Just follow the money?
I don’t believe him. The actions of this administration demonstrate their willingness to screw veterans along with everyone except their rich friends.
You clowns will end up cutting benefits and these dips*** veteran wet blanket maga idiots will end up thanking him and asking for more. You all get what you voted for. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
You’re spot on. But us Vets that actually have a brain and saw that clown for what he is, is in a world of hurt.
Dip…sh…its really thought Trump and co had our best interest at heart which is mind boggling,
Staff reduction will take us back to the old VA where it takes months to get critical care and people die waiting to be seen (not hyperbole…this happened). I hope it’s not time to camp on the Whitehouse lawn again (The Bonus Army – 1932).
Question for you Mr. Collins.
DO you support the Heritage Foundation and Project 2025’s framework for restructuring, reducing and taking benefits and disability ratings from the veteran community ? Please answer this question.
He’s lying, of course. My sister in law just retired as a VA nurse and Collins didn’t replace her. That means the remaining four nurses will have to do the work of five. Only the veterans will suffer with longer wait times for care
Please post a detailed listing of all 2400 hundred positions that are now vacant. List location and job description and where that job is now being done.
I have searched all day for Doug Collin’s email address and have been unsuccessful. I called the Caregiver Support Line and that lady didn’t even know who Doug Collins was to her! She tried to help and ended up giving me the 1-800 number but the person on that end could not find it either? My dad applied for Aid and Attendance a year ago and still has not gotten approved. He sitting at Stage 3. He and my 96 year old mom have NO MONEY left to cover their assisted living. They need this money ASAP. She has cognitive disabilities and doesn’t need to leave. Use them as an example that benefits are not being cut and show America we care for the elderly before it’s too late.
Project 2025 is very specific when it comes to their intentions when it comes to veterans healthcare and benefits. They want to change it to where you can only access VA healthcare if you have a service connected disability. If you’ve ever been to a VA hospital youve seen the elderly vets that would have no place affordable to go with these intended cuts. They want to end paying veterans unemployability at age 67 because they’re at full retirement age, and just pay the estimated rating. Most vets have been on SSDI while fighting their cases and will never receive more than half of what their checks would have been if they made it to full retirement age. This is ridiculous as these people have mortgages reliant on their disability payments, many who like in my case were granted these benefits by a military judge. They want to go through the files of veterans one by one and see how many people they feel justified for whatever reason, in cutting their benefits. Finally they want to revise the guidelines for military disability and make it where a veteran can only collect if they meet certain definitions of what constitutes a service connected disability.
Thank you Sir for that cut to the chase message.
The Pensacola VA Clinic is 146-150% over capacity. The main VA hospital is in Biloxi Ms. Which coordinates the CCN process which is slow and ineffective in the experiences I’ve had as a priority 1 vet with service connected injuries. I realize building new facilities is expensive. With that said Baptist Hospital has moved to a new location and local officials are trying to determine what to do with Baptist hospitals older buildings. The past administration seemed to let things be with VA facilities and/ to make cuts and funnel those funds elsewhere.
Can you please say what iCARE stand los for ?
First and foremost, if we are going to reduce waste let’s start with how claims are inadequately processed.
Multiple unnecessary C&P exams, mishandling of VA claims that create a great deal of redundancy.
Why are we paying people with no medical background whatsoever to evaluate or rate VA claims?
Even making decisions that conflict with Civilian Physicians, truly madness.
I’m all for Community Providers, but integrating communication so lab results, referrals, and appointments has a long way to go.
Don’t then turn around and making a VA claim decision that is in contradiction to the community providers contracted with VA.
Secretary Collins in making the online computer system
( the Health Medical Record System ) a top priority. This is the how the communication between Providers (VA and Community Providers) actually works. I have a lot of confidence in him. He’s a “ good, honest public servant. Please, give him a chance….
Ahahahahahahahahahah oh my! Dense!
Thank you…great points.
You sir, are doing a disservice to your employees to have the backs of the wrong people.
Remote work has been effective for the VA since it has been able to provide essential care to veterans by stoping the lease of unnecessary buildings and all the expenses that come with it. If you really care about the veterans you will save the money used in office spaces and put it into the clinics.
Some of the people working remote are staff that work for the employees HR comes to mind, some others are mental health providers, nurses, crisis line , etc. but you are making Musk happy and that is all that matters. Also, the Veterans can chose where they want to go, they are not forced to go to the VA. If you or somebody you know ever need a pacemaker, thank the VA but I’m sure you already know this.
That office space has been there the whole time. They didn’t give up leases. DOGE is getting rid of waste. There have been employees working from home and not being productive. My dad has been waiting a year for Aid and Attendance to be approved. It has been sitting at a 3 for months. The VA has had what they have needed for months. I need an employee to approve his Aid and Attendance before he gets kicked out of assisted living for no money.
The VA hospitals all need to close they don’t help us Vetrans what so ever .It would be best for us to get proper medical care on the outside do away with the VA hospitals and the wasteful spending that goes on there its a big money grab .There is no dental for us there its there but only to those who fought in Vietnam ,lol good luck getting help even if Ur suffering ..I think a Veteran should be able to go anywhere to get help we fought for our Country and deserve to make our own choices . thank u
Totally agree..
Spent 21 years in the Army. My daughter works for the VA because she honored what i did for a living. If she gets fired because of DOGE cuts, I’ll never vote again! The donkeys failed me, and although its a different path, it looks like the elephants are headed in the same direction…
Did you ever think that maybe her job wasn’t necessary? Maybe she will be okay, but this is all about saving money. Just because people work for the government doesn’t mean they don’t have to be accountable, productive, and necessary. Always vote! You served to protect that right.
Imagine thinking that a political party centered around cutting taxes for billionaires would help you . When it was dems and independents getting the cares act, it was a dem congress that gave back to back the two biggest increase in financial benefits. But keep licking the boots of billionaires maybe you will get a scrap
It’s almost like the elephants drove you to hate the donkey’s, so they could set this all up to take everything and leave us with nothing but crumbs to fight over.
A week ago this site had 162 comments
[Editor: There are almost 2,000 comments on the other, similar video.]
Where is the 98 million being redirected to?
VA serves approximately 9 million enrolled veterans annually. What about those of us that are not enrolled? I was categorized a priority 8 and was told I would never be accepted into the VA system even though I am a retired veteran.
I also do not understand how you can retire from the service and a disability. If you serve 20 to 30 years and retire and now you have a disability – sleep apnea?
Mr Secretary , I pray that the Veterans will come first again and believe that President Trump knew what he was doing by putting you in this position!!! My main concern is our Spinal Cord Veterans in north Florida has had their SCI Clinic Closed at the Lake City VA so the over 100 veterans has to commute an extra 1 and a half hours to Gainesville VA . These our more vulnerable veterans that have very specific needs that is why it was so surprising that this decision was made. This clinic had been operating there for the last 10 years because of the identified critical need.
Wow! I can easily tell that many of the comments on this site are not from the Disabled Veterans they claim to be. These are political hacks, trying to stir up a bunch of false information and rumors. Be smart and research and verify for yourself. Things take time to happen, this administration has not been in office even a full month yet. So all these horror stories about what’s being taken away must come from the past administration. I’ve read, verified and triple checked, The President or anyone in his administration has no intention of cutting or taking away any benefits whatsoever. Just think of the past 4 years, doesn’t this game seem familiar? This is what politics does, unfortunately it’s a filthy, dog eat dog backstabbing and exaggerated, overly dramatic stunt to discredit the current President. We’ve been watching it over and over the last 4 years.
Thank-you, Thank-you, Thank-you! For all you do at the VA…and for us Veterans. I never believe rumors and I have the utmost confidence in this new Administration to par-down and get it right…especially redirect any misdirected funds AWAY from any illegals and bring them back to Veterans. I am so glad you are not wasting any more money on DEI. It IS divisive! Thank-you for focusing on what is important.
I am from W Central MN and use the Fargo VAMC and Fergus Falls Clinic. We desperately need a new Doctor and Mental Health practitioner in Fergus Falls hired, and I know it will happen someday soon. This is God’s Country. You will find good people for those positions who WANT to work for the VA and live here. I love the Fargo VA, it’s top-notch. Excellent. When they can’t provide what I need, I am so appreciative of my Community Care providers. Thanks again, Diane, US Army, Vietnam era
Agree. I have nothing but good to say about the VAMC in Fargo, ND. I have been so blessed with excellent care and follow-up.
Ma’am with all due respect if you’re going to make comments like this please leave your full name like many of the disabled veterans worried about their healthcare. Many knowing full well what understaffed VA hospitals are like to deal with. So please either identify yourself if you’re going to put accusations like this out or simply shrink away like the political troll that you are.
The VA services are shit in lots of places, Debbie & Diane, including where I get service in the Inland Empire (California). The only good exception is Loma Linda, and I think that is mostly because they’re a religious organization that mandates all service providers to live out those values of compassion and love at work. All the other VA hospitals in the area have extremely long wait times and too many high-risk veterans here have died waiting for medical, mental health, and housing services to become available.
So maybe pull your head out of the sand there Debbie, and see what’s really happening, instead of accusing other veterans and military families who deserve services just as much as you of being “political agitators?”
Usually, the simplest explanation is the correct one, and the most simple explanation of what is happening right now is that it is a purposeful campaign by a power-hungry President to break and then privatize all public services, so he can enrich himself and his billionaire friends.
Sir, how can you tell us that VA benefits wont be cut, but in Senate they don’t seem to be supporting Veterans. Please review this: https://youtu.be/31VjDt-4CxE?si=fR7TW0g8cBLVeTU2 VA Benefits are truly on the table for reductions and is real. Congress is a mess; they can hardly make a compromise on anything and are kind of a political embarrassment. I saw your video stating that there’s no cuts happening, but the Senate voted against protecting Veterans benefits says differently. The budget seems to be taking presentence over people. I believe you believe in what you said in your recent video but seems the reality maybe different. Its already an almost insurmountable task to get any meaningful ratings now with the VA but with the recent Govt cuts and how the new world will look seems that “yes” benefits are on the table for cuts. I already can’t retire at my age because I just can’t afford it, this will make me work right up to the day I take my last breath. Just wanted to drop a line and say thanks but not sure your assessment is correct about reductions. Doesn’t seem like anyone is standing up for us.
Please don’t mess with Sanford Maine VET center.
As an 83 y/o vietnam VET, it’s a well needed service…
Sec Collins
I have followed you thru congress all the way to being Sec. I have a question. Is there a way for veterans to no pay any copays for their meds. When we are drawing SS and COL is so high we cannot afford the copays. They add up quick.
Thank you sir
Danny Cole
USN
The Honorable Doug Collins
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20420
Subject: Request for Support on OPM and DOGE Directives Impacting VA Employees
Dear Secretary Collins,
I hope you’re doing well.
I’m writing to ask for your help with a growing issue affecting VA employees, including my wife, who serves as a Community Care Nurse in the Salt Lake VA system. She’s currently on maternity leave but recently received an email from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), under Elon Musk’s leadership, asking her to justify her weekly work—despite being on leave. This has added a lot of stress during what should be a peaceful time focused on our newborn.
These emails are going out across agencies, pressuring dedicated workers and creating confusion. It’s especially disheartening to see VA employees, who serve our veterans with care and compassion, being caught in the middle of this.
I fully support making the government more efficient, but there needs to be balance. People like my wife—who’ve given so much to our veterans—shouldn’t be facing this kind of pressure, especially while on maternity leave.
I’m asking for your support to:
Advocate for VA employees and ensure that those on leave, like my wife, are protected from unnecessary stress and directives.
Push back on overreach. Work to ensure that DOGE and OPM policies respect labor laws and consider the real-life impact on VA staff.
Stand up for our veterans’ caregivers. The people who care for our veterans deserve respect and fair treatment.
I know you care deeply about our veterans and those serving them. Your voice on this issue could make a huge difference.
Thank you for your time and everything you do for our veterans and those who care for them.
Sincerely,
David Jones MPAS, PA-C
Everything
What is being done with remote Community Care – Case Workers .
They need to be located at the VA facility so they are able to work with all the departments in the VA. Currently the C C case workers are not available for the veterans. If need to talk to your case worker assigned to your case – phone numbers nor emails are provided to the Veteran . I needed foot surgery and been waiting for over a YEAR. It seem that the supervisor over the community Care section at the Dallas Texas VA also manages the section remotely.
I would welcome a call or some to assist with the leadership of the VA.
My phone number is, [REDACTED]
I am calling on you Secretary Collins to stop doing mental gymnastics and be straight up with veterans. Less talk, more action. Words are meaningless unless acted upon. We don’t need word salad or gaslighting. Republicans (besides Rand Paul) all voted against open-ended funding for burn pit claims. As a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq and was exposed to burn pits, I find this appalling. Veterans need more funding and this “efficiency” you’re talking about are layoffs and reduced resources at the VA. Please don’t assume we are stupid. We are well read and political active.
What is the VA doing about the lack of Medical Doctors in the country? Why does the VA make veterans utilize community hospitals instead of closing the ones that were in existence in communities? Why does a veteran who has been in the VA for many years have to struggle to get a covid test or treatment for a respiratory illness. Why keep clinics open if all they do is give out drugs, test for problems, and then not treat them? Does the VA only hire medical professionals who are veterans? WHo is speaking up in this coun try for Veterans Health care? Why are all of the resources at the VA going to those who are younger. Why doesn’t a 86 year old veteran matter anymore to the VA? Why isn’t there managed care for the older veterans in this country. Why does the VA only means test the poor vet and not the ones that are double dipping. Why is an older vet limited to only two visits a year when they have end stage kidney disease and are facing dialysis? why does. the federal government think it is all right to discriminate against veterans who can’t afford devices or know how to use them?
Thanks Mr. Doug Collins,
Semper Fi
DEI is not the problem, it is not affirmative action. All it means is to treat all with respect. Trump/musk/vance turned that into a bad word, but destroying the framework of our government to get ride of DEI is plane STUPID. So much so that it is a lie, a license to steal.
These people need to clearly state where we are going? I wonder?
There is plenty of FACTUAL INFORMATION out there. Be very careful which sites you choose to get information from. It sounds like you are a victim of those false info sites. Good luck.
Another no last name chastising a veteran that was willing to identify himself. Stand proud if you are going to regurgitate lies.
You do not understand what DEI or Affirmative Action is from your description.
Trump does not care about veterans, us. Musk is in place because of trump, not in spite. See the truth, the billionaire class took over the federal government and they will try to change it to their advantage (even more) at our expense (the people). 20 year Navy retired veteran.
There is a lot of false info being spread about VA benefits. They are not true. President Trump and Elon Musk DO CARE VERY MUCH. No one is losing any benefits. Nothing is being cut. One must be very selective where they get their info from. As time will always tell, President Trump will always protect the Veterans, he has not so far turned out to be that destructive monster they said he would be on day one in office. I myself am a disabled veteran, I do tons of research and ask a lot of questions, I believe in verification of information. Please just relax and no worries, we are in good hands with This current administration.
Lol funny guy. I just saw a unicorn, they do not care about anybody. The people that care for the Veterans are being fired
Hey Steve. Get the boot out of your mouth. “i dO ToNs oF mY oWn rEsEaRcH” yea okay buddy. Reading Breitbart and waxing it to Fox and Friends while the brain worms in RFK Jr tell you not to trust 1000s of doctors isn’t doing your own research.
You’re a partisan hack. A frothing useful idiot of a clown who’s too stupid to realize how uninformed he is as he spreads his idiocy around.
If you hate veteran benefits so much, do us all a favor, find a bridge and don’t call the crisis line.
Let’s see if “no one is losing any benefits” rings true in a couple of months. I suspect it won’t be but I’ll be happy to be proved wrong.
What site are you getting your information from?
I want to know if the rumor is true that I may lose my VA Disability payments. This would be extremely devastating for me as well as all other disabled veterans that rely on this payment as the only source of income.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20420
1-800-698-2411
20250222
Mr. Secretary,
I am writing to bring to your attention a pressing matter regarding a court case in Portage County, Ohio (Case Number: 2020CV00303). As a retired Staff Sergeant (SSG) with 10 years of active duty service, including multiple combat deployments, I am deeply concerned about the integrity of our justice system and potential violations of federal law.
The facts of the case are as follows:
1. *Biased Court Rulings*: The court’s rulings have been completely biased, considering only Prerogative writ.
2. *Attorney Withdrawal*: My attorney suddenly withdrew from the case without my request, violating Ohio Rule 1.16.
3. *Lack of Evidence*: The plaintiff failed to provide evidence, relying on hearsay, changed/forged documents, and lies under oath.
4. *Conflict of Interest*: The plaintiff has sold real estate to multiple individuals of high stature in Ravenna’s court district, and the clerk of court was the plaintiff’s attorney.
5. *Fraudulent Removal*: The plaintiff has used her stature to persuade the court’s rulings, fraudulently removing me from my home’s deed and loan.
I respectfully request that the Department of Justice investigate this matter and take appropriate action to ensure that justice is served. I believe that a thorough investigation will reveal a pattern of corruption and fraud that has denied my son and I our civil rights.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
SSG (Ret.) Christopher J. Wilcox
This video is BS and not to be believed in. He has shown no proof and wants you to take him at his word. He is a trump supporter and will say anything to keep his job. Sen. Cruz and Cornyn have voted down on an amendment ensuring full and uninterrupted funding for DVA Healthcare and benefits provided by SFC Heath Robinson Pact act. Look it up every one! Fact check please and you will see that American vets have been duped by yet another lie. We were promised to be taken care of by our nation for taking care of the constitution and all that it stands for. Please brothers and sister, make your voice heard and send message to your congressman in your district. Let us be listened and acknowledged as vets of this nation.
President Trump and his administration haven’t even been in office a full month yet. You have to be selective on where you get your information from. Then double check it. That’s what I learned I had to do to get the truth. Take the wait and see approach, I guess that’s all you can do.
Hahaha another planted comment. You have NO HONOR
Why don’t you hold a vote and see how many veterans agree with you and Trump?.
I did, it came out to 97% trust the current President, based on past and current promises fulfilled. 1% undecided, out of 1350 responders I believe his past and present record speaks for itself. Can’t deny that.
Fake news.
See how easy it is to deny it. Look at me, I’m the republican now. “Fake new fake news blahblah fakity fake, durrdurr, anythin I make up is true and anything I don’t believe is made up, alternative facts!”
@Deb
“97% trust…” Certainly. I trust that he will again assert fiction is fact, make decisions specifically intended to benefit the ultra rich, and display the behaviours of a petty bully.
“…past and present record…” A petty, self-serving buffoon – past, present, and nearly guaranteed future.
I’m happy you agree with me!
I would like to know just where the 83,000 lost jobs are coming from, if it doesn’t impact veterans’ care. Sounds impossible, old “garsh darn” Collins. That old atta boy talk isn’t cutting it.
Secretary Collins, perhaps you should tell Elon about the protections because he doesn’t seem to have gotten the memo. He posted this today (2/22/25) on Twitter:
“Consistent with President Trump’s instructions all federal employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they got done last week.
Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.”
This doesn’t sound much like protection now, does it? Although it does sound an awful lot like a threat. And busywork. Not efficient. In fact, you might say it’s wasteful.
You invited us to ask you directly about these things rather than believing the “whoppers”. So, I’m asking you directly, doesn’t this conflict with your assurances that hundreds of thousands of VA employees are protected?
Truth??? Or just more whoppers. The proof will be in coming days. I have doubts.
Thank You Mr. Collin’s for setting the record straight
Dear Doug Collin’s. Question. Are you going to let the Trump, fire more Employees. I’m Retired From the VA Long Bch, Ca. 33 yrs. Plus I’m a 100 percent P and T Army Vet. What’s happening with our GOVT, is a travesty. Plus for sure protecting our Benefits, is vital. What is being about this. Spec. Larry Boggs
How will you mitigate the resignations of remote employees who are now required, but unable to, report to an office? What is your plan to ensure that loss of employees does not negatively impact timely healthcare and timely award of benefits? Cutting veterans benefits doesn’t just mean reducing payments or healthcare benefits, it also includes rendering Veterans unable to access their entitled benefits. Explain to Veterans how this will directly improve services, and provide examples that Veterans can readily understand as they apply to their lives and benefits.
We can’t survive without that thanks for your time. I’m Elvira Thompson DOB 10-23-1938
Mr Secretary,
You seem sincere. But I would like to hear specifics from you about your support or refusal to support proposed changes to Veterans health and disability benefits as written in the proposed CBO budget report and supported by Russell Vought at OMB. It seems it will be a battle and hopefully you as Veterans Secretary will be able to override these cuts. I encourage you to support the ” Independent Budget of the Department of Veterans Affairs for Fiscal year 2026/2027″ recommendations by the VFW, DVA and PVA. Most veterans wholeheartedly support and trust these groups to protect them legislativly from the whims of congress who send us to war. But then in peacetime, try to bury us with double talk while trying to take away or deminish our veterans health and disability benefits during every budget cycle. The cost of war is high and veterans should not suffer. EVER.
You can be replaced in a heartbeat. Pucker up to President Musk.
How do I get a meeting I have evidence of billions in abuse currently going to veterans and nobody is talking about it while their stealing veterans funds while I’m a disabled veteran with a spinal cord entry TBI basic eggs for brains 52 out here living homeless with my family while they’re stealing the money money I’ve got tons of names documents I’ve been from state the state the city the city I need to get a meeting Secretary, Doug Collins
Va can track my contact powers 0633 i’m not worried anybody’s gonna steal my homelessness, but there’s my last name and last four that’s how I feel. I’m trying but being blocked and I’m sure those 22 tried like me. Because one thing veterans know suck and for 22 a day to say their life is worse than military suck, we got a problem in America and we need the real number of homeless veterans and their families it will be the biggest number you ever seen. All who signed up for help got funding given to the NGOs under our last 4 but did not provide services in that veterans name and it’s in every state city church and school Va programs it is the most corrupted system and I’ve tried 5 congress members who backed me but still nothing. So I want a meeting for 60 seconds and I will expose it all. I steady what they did to us while In these programs and then ditched us for illegals. I’ve never asked for a handout for my 11 years of service or a home for my service connection or demanded the USA to care for my 18 years of suffering with tbi and spinal injuries or said take care of my family for my life sentence of never being a functioning human being, enjoying American life without pain. I always stood quietly in a corner not to ruin anyone’s photo of a busted up disabled veteran no will save that for our 1 day a year and free plate between hours of. See I’m not even up set to give my business anymore to retailers who give veterans a discount for being loyal nope 1 day a year. We need 3 d concrete house printers in every state and end ngo renting scam and end taxpayers footing the bill buy a buy back program for service connected and retired veterans through our Va checks no middle man needed and no taxpayer done homelessness over veterans ai it. It will blow your mind. We need a x town hall platform once a week by Doug Collin
Question for you Burger Ming, wheres the efficiency in firing veteran employees, and reducing staff to provide care for patients? Where’s the efficiency in reducing patient care areas with displaced remote workers? Wheres the efficiency in reducing patient parking? Where’s the $98 million going if its not towards the mission? If this is a problem that can be solved with money whats your price to go away and let the veterans receive the care they deserve?
I don’t believe this the VA is already taking my disability money and when someone tries to work with them it’s the runaround.
This could be cleared up very easily, if you would offer proof of your words. I am sorry that I do not just take you at your word, there is precedence for doubt.
Noticed he didn’t say anything about protecting those ratings that are already in place. He just used a general term “benefits”. I wouldn’t put it past them to take away our compensation or lower it without reason
You are saying that the newsletter Military.com lies? https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/02/11/veterans-groups-keep-watch-va-disability-benefits-under-trump-administration.html
Listening to this guy makes me almost embarrassed to work here. It’s like a slimy used car salesman kicking the tires and saying “ain’t she a beaut?!” Thankfully I come to work to help Veterans and not because of this dirtbag bootlicker.
Thanks for the updated actual information.
With the present Adlof Dictator Bully Veteran insulting Trump in office anyone he hires is suspect. I will wait and see if Mr. Collins is the right man for the job. Anything that comes out of Trump’s sickening mouth is a lie so it is no wonder what we here from Washington is held with mistrust.
The previous admin did not do anything fore us, it stole from us, Trump has done more for us the Veteran than Biden period!!! Those people needed removed as there are many that refuse to work at the VA, and they are in the Administration side. Many of you just want to stir the pot, and cause problem, Let him address thing as he finds them out. Just because you hate Trump stop!!! The past Sec of VA was a royal jerk and didn’t care about us at all, he allowed money to get sent to help the Illegals taking funding away from us. Complain about issues within the VA. Mush has zero to do here except to find the fraud and misuse of funds. I have been dealing with the VA fore over 45 years and have seen way more at different facilities all across this country, some good, some bad, some horrible. Anyone ever hear how a Veteran got “LOST” in the stairwell at a VA facility only to be found dead 30 days later?? Anybody ask why some Veterans have taken their lives on the steps of VA facilities?? I am sure very few if any have, and that the problem!!!
There is no answer here about the long running remanded appeal backlog sitting at the BVA. 15 years, 4 BVA hearing and 4 BVA remands and now a remand from the CAVC, this is out of control, Neither Committees will address this issue, will you?? Your lawyers asked for the remand from the CAVC with the granting of EXPIDITED TREATMENT< will it get it?? Why the long delays?? Why the failures by the BVA, DROC and ROs?? This all needs investigated by you, the new Sec of VA!!! This backlog needs to stop!!!
It will be even longer now they are firing more people and those positions will not be filled. Sorry about this, he does not care about veterans, he cares about making his boss happy and himself.
Here’s another proof Doug Collins just lied to veterans.
The Trump administration is about to cut Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Public and Indian Housing from 1,529 employees to 765 people (see https://apnews.com/article/doge-hud-trump-turner-affordable-housing-musk-0176c8539fa9b5959198c351c97b8652).
The Office of Public and Indian Housing administers the Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, a rental assistance program for homeless veterans (see https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv/vash).
How are homeless veterans getting better service when the people who can get them off the streets and into a rental are cut 50%?
They can’t.
If you aren’t contacting your senators and representative telling this to stop, you are going to see more homeless veterans not getting the help they deserve.
We expect our draft dodger to abandon us
Your comments sound comforting, however, the closing of the acute center at Castle Point VA Hospital in Wappingers Falls NY is a mistake and contrary to your message. This is a very important facility and a critical service in our community. It is sorely needed by veterans in our area struggling with PTSD and anxiety. Please open it back up ASAP.
Thank You,d
Kevin,
This is terrible news. I’d encourage you to share your story with Common Defense, a veterans organization who is actively trying to combat these layoffs for the benefit of Veterans. The link to do so is below. Best of luck to you and yours.
Lorenzo
https://commondefense.us/expose-doge?source=email-fundraising&emci=bb3bed75-d1f5-ef11-90cb-0022482a93b5&emdi=59c8cf5b-edf5-ef11-90cb-0022482a93b5&ceid=142730
I just received a rejection letter my case has been going on for 21 years. I will file a new 10182 to the board. Someone needs to look into the Oakland Regional Office the worst office in the US.
Yes, it s, and has always been. However, the D.C. Regional Office runs a close second
1,000 VA employees have been fired. The VA has not been transparent about where those firings took place. There are multiple reports online that the VCL had a hiring spree to fill critical positions in the last year—and those probationary employees have all been now fired. Senator Duckworth has spoken to two of them. Critical VHA contracts are being cancelled, further affecting services to Veterans.
Secretary Collins can easily prove his claims by providing the positions of the 1,000 people that were terminated.
As a retired and disabled Navy Chaplain who served both Navy and Marine units, I deeply appreciate Secretary Collins’ forward-facing, come-ask-me attitude and videos. I believe him and appreciate the work he and the entire VA Administration is doing on behalf of veterans. I believe Secretary Collins is a man we can trust and that by going on video to disclaim these horrible, fear-inducing rumors, he has assumed the role of “Rumor Control.” I’m grateful he is doing this.
Of course the chaplain believes a bunch of lies. No surprise there.
“The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command…”
Of course Collins wants you to get your information directly from him. Only consume the propaganda, don’t trust the news, only trust the party. And here you all, gobbling it up like good little brown shirts.
98 million saved? The VA’s yearly budget is 396 billion. So you saved 0.02% of our yearly budget. Yes it definitely is “like a whooper with no tomato” because it’s a ‘whopper’ without and substance.
As for veterans not being impacted… People in these protected positions are choosing to leave rather than have such a tumultuous job experience and a lot of those protected positions are now in the return to office order. This order will obviously cause people to quit. Then the cherry on top… or maybe the tomato on the whopper? Our hiring is effectively frozen. We are running short on staff. Lastly, why do you keep saying so confidently that veterans benefits aren’t going to be impacted? Let’s put aside that this 0.02% savings will obviously impact care. We don’t what funding will be like. Congress decides that. They are looking at cutting millions. We have no idea from what at this point
Can you please return the post 911 GI Bill that was cancelled orcexpired since it was not used after 15 years.
There were others whose post 911 GI Bill that did not expire
Thank you
We need the VA Sectary Collins to have an open door policy and to correct the complaint system nationwide.
When you deal with bad PLs that do not change, it takes a good staff around the Sec of VA to show executive options. Not rely on Congress to do all the work. The Sec literally has similar powers as a President. So CFR 38 ss 3.317 does not service connect because of the UDX aspect they could fix that. Gulf war is tied to closely to Undiagnosed Illness, VA countered this by making everything diagnosed even if its wrong.
So it fails at 93% rejection rate which VA loves. All wars should be service connected by time, date, and location. Which they have begun to do with OIF / OEF under the PACT act. Only to find the PACT act exclusionary to 1991 Gulf War vets. it sometimes can literally be the title of the section of CFR 38 that hinders a rating and the ICD codes. Something I tried to fix on a VA federal advisory committee that VA blew off. I did the l same with the PACT act in 2021 when I said in the news media it had loopholes, and by September came the flood of zero ratings. The best most can do is 30% between gulf war and OIF, OEF – zero rating is often the end result. Its not fair.
This is what I posted here 17 hours ago that didnt go out:
Your not responding to veterans. Your dictating to them. Telling us
not to worry while we can’t see anything from the outside of VA.
Your last video had 1,490 public comments last I checked. That is
massive for News.va.gov. But, it also all over the map. I posted 3
comments myself. Long term concerns as a advocate for Gulf War
vets that has watched continual degeneration since 2012. Only,
public comments also represents how one sided this is. This is the
best we can hope for?
Your the 14th Sec of VA for me, and in the last few weeks it’s been
all one sided. I have to guess where your really going. So far your
bragging and looks like a island of one rather showing staffers or
support. Because your only as good as your team. They don’t seem
to be a part of the picture.
I didn’t go away. You didn’t answer any of my questions or even
respond to me. Looking more and more like top down management
where you hide behind your staff to keep people at bay. Well, some
Sec of VA had open door policies with staffers that talked to vets –
anyone that asked.
You and I are off to a really bad start. As I have alot on my plate over
GWI and how badly we have been treated. That it took VA 6 years to
find a 4 inch tumor in my lungs, after missing it in a 2018 CT scan.
VISN 17 is in trouble, it can’t keep up and is under manned. Now your
cutting more? Attrition here is already to high. Soon it will only be
temporary workers and foreign interns with no experience. COVID
wiped us out with people giving up. Travel pay takes 45 days because
not enough man power.
You can’t just keep saying things are fine, ignore veterans, and claim
it can be fixed by firing people. You’ve almost eliminated the hiring
pool to pick from.
This is all bluff. VA is in trouble, and it needs help from the veterans
to save it. Instead your pissing us off and playing favorites.
Some folks like myself have more experience than you may think. Dip
into it, and try to be more flexible about it. Instead of listening to some
burned out under secretary lifer who runs everyone off. There are
some folks that need to go. Top end tree stumps we all keep tripping over.
My old remarks still stand. I’m just building on that and let others get
a idea from what I’m posting. How singular its been. Told there is
progress, seeing none of it and saying so. I’ve been posting public
comments all over News.va.gov since 2022 with one common theme –
Sec of VA dodges me even when confronted outside 810 Vermont
street. Your not solving our problems, or yours.
Treacherous times. Can’t believe anything is safe.
Veterans nationwide would disagree with him. Mayhap he shouldn’t be in a position of power.
When the “rumors” come from the TOP and from Musk, it is time to worry. Trump can replace the VA Director with a snap on his fingers.
Musk is the problem because Trump listens and believes the man! I put in over 22 years with the VA and when I retired, it was top notch. Hope it stays that way!
The VA would rather bury a veteran than help one
You say no reductions in veterans benefits, does that include veterans compensation?
Funny how you don’t acknowledge the more than 1,000 layoffs of probationary workers at VA. You can say you care, but when you leave off the whole truth it’s still lying.
I’d appreciate it if you stick to topics and not boot lick trump. The previous administration also looked out for us. We are watching you. If we catch you in a lie… well…
That’s a joke veterans rights are being violated are the country in state courts to the point of joining the 22. No one gives a crap even when you have court transcripts of proof of the judge admitting on the bench that he is violating your rights. All after three viles of cyanide were found in the courthouse annex enough to wipe out the great lakes according to DHHS. But the government thinks it’s right to try to drive me and others into joining the 22. I know the cyanide is a fact I found it, I was thanked by DHS for possibly saving millions of lives and the great lakes. But the VA rewards the doctor tom hanf for turning it in and tried to kill me by over prescribed meds . You honestly believe that the VA helps you are wrong , it picks and chooses . Two marine brothers got out same time one got help (doing well good life ) the other got told 6 months wait ended up blowing half his face off ya great
You deleted the 1,558 comments because you didn’t like m ?
Hi George,
Thank you for your comment. I want to assure you that we have not deleted those comments. The 1,558 comments you’re referring to are actually on a different post than the one you’re currently viewing. You can find them on the correct post here:
VA Secretary Doug Collins addresses Veterans’ benefits in new video
We appreciate your engagement and apologize for the confusion.
I posted here yesterday evening, and I dont see it today. Ive posted
repeatedly in the previous page which is at 1,572 at of this morning.
Im sure there are much more than 4 post. If anything, its a repeat of
the last location with those hoping to plea there cases. Soap Boxes
Ive been begging for, years ago. To vote on mutual ideas.
Ive written 4 emails to Sec of VA Doug Collins at doug.collins@va.gov
and the first email got a partial response. Passed me onto client relations
who have said nothing. So this feels lot like Sec of VA Denis McDonough
all over again. Till i just confronted him at the front door 7am September
7th, 2023 and he put on a show of how he would get back to me. Put my
name in his cell phone, and there was no follow up.
So Im just going to hand off anything from here to Senate committees and
see if they probably want to follow up like they used to in the old days.
Liked it alot better when Secretary executive staff had open door policies
so we could talk. Like with Sec of VA Anthony Principi. In fact, I can tell you
back stories of 14 sec of VA going back to 1999 and the gradual changes
in management when they set out to drive off grass roots organizations in
2002. After that, they began driving off the service groups. By 2020 they
pretty much closed off the lobby at 810 Vermont street and even executive
staff stopped taking calls, emails.
In the old days, you could at least be escorted upstairs to talk to secretary
of VA staff. That floor wasnt so exclusive back then. Could even go to the
commissary in the basement and talk to anyone. It wasnt always friendly,
but everyone stood in line to pay for lunch.
I think the exclusion has gone on to long. Breeded contempt. Put VA staff
out of reach. I think its time to go back to open door policy.
So this post will go out on other channels in the event VA does not like what
happened with veterans benefit posting. As I suspect VA will pull back into
the shadows after veterans did behave the way you predicted. Just roll over
and take it like the last 4 years.
I didnt cuss, or be vulgar. I didnt wave left or right wing politics. Havent
expressed anything violent. Just asking to represent myself and my fellow
Gulf war vets who have mostly been excluded since 2012. Not through the
VA RAC which is a tool of VA ORD. I mean benefits and healthcare issues
my former committee wanted addressed in 2009.
So conclude by saying, I think Ive been more than fair. Cant say I have been
treated that way back for a long time now. Just like asking Cheryl Mason to
be open minded. Senior Advisor to the Sec of VA, and so far quiet as well.
This shouldnt be this difficult, or offensive. Got to be a better way.
Thank you for your comment. Please know that all comments on the VA News website are reviewed by a human before they appear. Posting multiple times won’t make a comment show up faster or increase the likelihood of it being published—it just takes a little time to get through them.
This review process is in place for a few important reasons:
To prevent spam, ensuring discussions remain relevant and constructive.
To remove personal attacks and other language that violates our comment policy.
To protect commenters from accidentally sharing personal information, such as Social Security numbers or other private details. We frequently have to edit or remove comments that contain sensitive information before publishing them.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to maintain a respectful and secure discussion space.
You dont get the irony? I posted once politely yesterday. This reply
to you posted – before my statement from yesterday. You put
it off on me that I was some how violating protocol. Ive been
posting on news.va,gov for many years now and only once in
2021 did I have to say similar things about my post not getting
out or complete. Im not new to this. The complete versions are
on Facebook where I show what I sent.
We dont have any means of interacting with VA other than here
and its one sided. So folks will get defensive if they cant even
get out here. No where else to go. Its not fair.
Kirt,
I don’t believe that anyone has accused you of violating any protocols. Perhaps I didn’t explain myself well enough. We have content review policies in place to make sure content that does violate comments policies does not end up on this website. Stuff like personal information and clear scams (“Click here for free Bitcoin!”). Stuff like that. Nothing that you posted was anything like that. What I was trying to convey to you is that our team has to manually review all these comments before they show up on the website. It takes a little while to get through all of the comments. We are certainly not trying to stop you from commenting. It also has been complicated somewhat by the fact that another article on our site recently got more than 1,800 comments. So clearing all of them has been a large task and we are not a large team. So by all means, please continue posting your comments here and anywhere else you wish. We will continue doing our best to review and approve them as fast as we possibly can.
Seriously stop lying it’s embarrassing and dishonorable. Not one of my comments have been posted and I’ve posted over 3 times since last week. We’re not stupid and not to be toyed with
Kirt,
you imply Mr. Collins reads this forum. If so, why does he not answer the veterans questions with factual proof instead of Whoppers?
Doug Collins is a liar and a coward along with his draft dodging piece of trash boss. Nevermind the half truths being spun by this charlatan. Look at your care and benefits. If they change, believe that. But of course it will be too late then. Just like the 1000s of good people in the Federal government that have already lost their jobs while inflation rises. I weep for you all who gave into petty and exaggerated hate and saw value in electing these half men. Men who never served and have no honor. You are going to reap it. No matter what you believe. And FOX news won’t fill your bellies.
Hold on for a bump ride. One way or another.
Welll, I wished that veterans are num one on the list. For seven years not, what the va has done toe , is inhuman, cruel, and their actions have almost cost me my life now, I can’t get nobody to understand or help me, my wife struggles to keep me alive, I’m a 200 percent service connected, and have no payments nor have access to health care by va or local free clinics because of the va.. I have blisters on my feet and legs the size of gtate fruit and intense infection I’m my body fr the blisters, the va has stopped sending me my insulin needed to stay alive, I weigh 130 pounds now from 200,; the va is getting away with murder,c, can prove everything
34 years ago the US Army DESERTED me left me behind in Desert Storm and have covered it up and destroyed records and denied me benefits I earned and deserve. What the Government didn’t count on was the fact of me getting through the cracks and now being Service Connected where I have a tiny bit of leverage. Calling out the VA in Duty to Assist and CUEs all over, leaving 13 claims on compensation issues for over 2 years now. While they struggle to rebut what they destroyed in records. Oh what tangled webs we weave when we first choose to deceive! Good words to live by the Injustice that I have endured for over 34 years will soon be exposed. The International War and Humanitarian Laws that have been violated someone will stand Justice and answer for their actions.
It is self-evident that it would not be enough for a government to give orders or directions and leave the military authorities to arrange as they please for their detailed execution. It is for the government to supervise the execution of the orders it gives!
Thank you Mr. COLLINS, I appreciate the confirmation and clarification.
Hey Dan, still around Woodstock?
Collins is a lier! If the VA wants to cut expenses, i’ve a few suggestions. Here in Phoenix they have realized the connection between medical treatment and answering the phone. They’ve quit answering the phones! Why not make this a nationwide policy!
The VA knows that the ability to justify a disability claim lies in your ability to explain why. They have ingenously demanded that all claims must be filed on a VA form. This form only allows for a two sentence explanation! Right now about 90% of all claims are denied. O feel certain this could be brought closer to 100% by halving that space!
I’ve been waiting for an oncology appointment since November! I do not understand this at all.
Honorable Secretary Collins,
You have been placed in a leadership position that is critical to America’s veterans, not just for compensation and health care, but as a veteran yourself who continues to serve. You are viewed as the tip of the spear to all veterans. Your allegiance after God is to veterans before any elected official. You know as a man of God, what you do in this position will be judged, as it is a great responsibility and honor. I pray for you to be strong and stand up with conviction for all veterans. With that being said, untold number of veterans and their families have been crushed by the federal job freeze and firings for no reason. I for one was hired and was boarding when I received the email, that rescinded my job offer. I am a 26 year retired combat veteran, 100% P&T. I applied for the VA job because I believed I could still contribute to my fellow veterans and country. The question you should ask yourself is “How many veterans have we hurt, plus their families in this freeze and purge. Veterans have served and sacrificed for our country, we did not take deferments, but volunteer to serve with Honor, Integrity, and Devotion to the Constitution and this great Republic. However no Republicans are standing up for the veterans during this time. As a life-long republican, I am ashamed. Lip service to veterans is a sign of a nations decline. So Mr. Secretary, please look into how man veteran’s lives have been crushed and families decimated by these decisions and as the tip of the spear, stand up to all and anyone for the veteran. You beliefs in God and his son are my same beliefs and we know we will be judged one day on what we did with the responsibilities God gave us.
Another 1400 VA workers fired. Mr. Collins, do you think the 2400 VA workers who were working in their probation period are deep state or are all slackers? Where is your moral compass on this issue? You sir are doing nothing about the real problem of entrenched lazy employees. As a prior VA GS-12 Rater, I saw firsthand employees who used race, gender, or sexual favors to advance their careers or to threaten others who tried to have them fired due to their worthless work ethics. You are directly responsible for propagating this continuing problem by firing people without cause except that they were in their probation period. Weak management skills by this administration for headlines only. You sir, are disappointing in your lack of integrity and Christian compassion as you are not even blinking an eye to the numerous lives destroyed by your actions. I hope you can sleep well at night knowing your actions in worshipping at the “Golden Age of America” administration or should I put it into terms you understand “The Golden Calf Age of America’s downfall”. As a retired 26 year USAF veteran it does not surprise me as I met very few USAF Protestant chaplains who truly were sold out to Jesus, most were grip and grin politicians. Fix the VA claims process by focusing on accuracy only and stop trying to mix oil and water by demanding speed and accuracy when rating claims! Do it accurate the first time and you will see less appeals and increased productivity over time! Get to work Mr. Collins or move out of the way for someone who is willing to stand up for the veterans who have been fired in this purge.
Lies. Trump and his South African Queen will make “adjustments” lower your rating, lower your payments. You know, for the deficit or something. You voted for this, now suffer.
Why did I wait, 1 year to get my dependent taken care of and still waiting on my retroactive pay.
Didn’t know you could fire veterans guess too many buds yo ha ha
Why does it take so long for everything to approved when you have prove
He didn’t “lay them off”, he FIRED THEM.
He is NOT telling truth, he is spewing falsehoods…..
1,000 workers( DEI) have been laid off. The VA was already short- handed. This reduction in workers will mean that it will take longer times to get appointments, and longer times to get health care!
It will take longer for pharmacists to fill a prescription and longer time to mail it out to the Veteran.
It makes sense, if you have 1,000 less workers, it will take longer to get the jobs done!
Unfortunately, we are talking about government especially the VA. We all know government employees are not very efficient and the VA has one of the worst worker effeciency reputations there is. And this reputation is from the second largest agency employing more than 450K not including nurses and doctors. Do you really think hiring 1,000 people just because of their race, sex, sexual preferences, or perceived identity, makes that much of a difference?
Did trump tell you that? Because government workers are just like any others. Just they can’t cut corners due to the regulations
Veteran’s or employee’s?
Hard to believe Collins story … it is the opposite of what has been broadcast by many outlets. Frankly the federal government has totally lost trust. President Trump’s feelings toward veterans is well known and documented “losers”. Frankly federal government has lost all trust. By their actions, they want our country to become the bad guys, like Russia, China and Iran.
Thank you for setting the fears aside. We as veterans worried that all the things we did for our country was not in vain. The things that we’re seeing coming from Trump and everybody else is very scary it’s like we don’t know from one day to the next if we’re even going to have a country, for the rest of the world is looking at us and laughing and holding us as a joke…. it’s so sad to see what is happening. Thank you for your time and belief in us Betsy.
I have tried for 7 years to be treated for pain management. You wonder why vet give up. No one listens or care about everything but the vet. I say hire vet as you can and let vet’s help each other. There is no nursing supervisor in the the facilities who can help with dealing with daily issues.
you guys are awesome thankyou caring about vererans we have great leaders now and only going to get better it needed a big change and trumph picture needs put on wall were it should be Va facilaties because you and him has always said that you will take care of veterans!???
In TRUMPS FIRST TERM ! TRUMP WAS THE PERSON TELLING: THE WHOPPER’S AND VETERAN SERVICES STOPPERS. THE TRUTH
WAS EASY TO OBSERVE WHICH TRUMP THOUGHT “his CHOSEN” COULD HIDE! WELL;
“THEY COULDN’T!” TROUBLE IS; THERE’S TWO BURGER KINGS WHOPPER’S NOW!; TRUMP/MUSK. AND YES “THEY” ARE SERVING
“WHOPPERS” WITH “A.I.” ARTIFICIAL
INGREDIENTS. BUTT! WE CAN SEE BETTER!:
ALOT BETTER NOW! AND IF IT IS NOT THE
“TRUTH”; WE’RE NOT BUYING IT!
Lies. My last appointment was pushed back 3 hours because my P.A.C. team was covering 3 clinics at once. Our care is worse than I have even seen it and reminds me of my Grandfather’s VA in the 70’s. I have been trying for 8 years to be re-evaluate by the VA for PTSD and I am just told it won’t change anything. BS! If I had a PTSD diagnosis, many service dog training places would give me a service dog, instead, I am left training my own with no help with vet costs or service dog equipment. Him making it all a joke just shows how little it means to him.
Willard NY the old hospital still stands, empty. Great spot to put a new VA with room to breathe. It has great potential.
How do I contact Doug Collins directly?
Thank you,
Leo Jones
One person said Doug.collins@va.gov
Your not responding to veterans. Your dictating to them. Telling us not to worry while we can’t see anything from the outside of VA.
Your last video had 1,490 public comments last I checked. That is massive for News.va.gov. But, it also all over the map. I posted 3 comments myself. Long term concerns as a advocate for Gulf War vets that has watched continual degeneration since 2012. Only, public comments also represents how one sided this is. This is the best we can hope for?
Your the 14th Sec of VA for me, and in the last few weeks it’s been all one sided. I have to guess where your really going. So far your bragging and looks like a island of one rather showing staffers or support. Because your only as good as your team. They don’t seem to be a part of the picture.
I didn’t go away. You didn’t answer any of my questions or even respond to me. Looking more and more like top down management where you hide behind your staff to keep people at bay. Well, some Sec of VA had open door policies with staffers that talked to vets – anyone that asked.
You and I are off to a really bad start. As I have alot on my plate over GWI and how badly we have been treated. That it took VA 6 years to find a 4 inch tumor in my lungs, after missing it in a 2018 CT scan.
VISN 17 is in trouble, it can’t keep up and is under manned. Now your cutting more? Attrition here is already to high. Soon it will only be temporary workers and foreign interns with no experience. COVID wiped us out with people giving up. Travel pay takes 45 days because not enough man power.
You can’t just keep saying things are fine, ignore veterans, and claim it can be fixed by firing people. You’ve almost eliminated the hiring pool to pick from.
This is all bluff. VA is in trouble, and it needs help from the veterans to save it. Instead your pissing us off and playing favorites.
Some folks like myself have more experience than you may think. Dip into it, and try to be more flexible about it. Instead of listening to some burned out under secretary lifer who runs everyone off. There are some folks that need to go. Top end tree stumps we all keep tripping over.
My old remarks still stand. I’m just building on that and let others get a idea from what I’m posting. How singular its been. Told there is progress, seeing none of it and saying so. I’ve been posting public comments all over News.va.gov since 2022 with one common theme – Sec of VA dodges me even when confronted outside 810 Vermont street. Your not solving our problems, or yours.
The VA process for claim approvals, especially appeals takes far too long.
yes way to long,i guess they are waiting for all of us to DIE,its cheaper..
How are we putting the veterans 1st when the VA facilities are converting patient care areas into offices to get the remote workers at the stations? The VA moved employees to remote workers environments to allow for more direct patient care, now that we have to “bring them back to the office” we are losing patient care areas to accommodate this!
How is this putting the patient first. Please fight to keep the remote workers remote so our veterans have the space to get their care!
Hello,
My name is William, I’m a veteran that is currently service connected with a 40% rating and I’m currently participating in the VA VR&E Program for the last 8 months as a Medical Supply Technician.
The program helps veterans like myself with opportunities for direct hire opportunities as Medical Supply Technicians or some other specific jobs within the VA hospital if positions are available.
The VR&E program is also intended to pursue accredited higher education/vocational training if the direct hire option isn’t available or if we would prefer to pursue some type of accredited higher education/vocational training.
I was in the process of onboarding for a Medical Supply Technician, but did not meet the February 8th deadline for a start date and my offer letter was dated tentatively February 20, 2025.
The position I was onboarding for is in the job family series 2005 Supply Clerical and Technician as a Medical Supply Technician and for unexplained reasons was and still is not included on the hiring freeze exemption list.
We supply the entire hospital with the medical supplies needed for the high quality care for the veterans receiving health care within the VA healthcare system. This includes departments like the Emergency Room, ICU, patient wards and all the supporting functions for example.
This role is a 3 shift position that requires Medical Supply Technicians to be available at all times including holidays.
The VA I’m assigned to is short staffed in Logistics. The hospital is having to pull employees from other departments to help staff the logistics department. The 2nd and the 3rd shifts are much more difficult to pull staffing from other departments causing areas in the hospital to not get supplies stocked that are needed in a timely manner.
This VA is not an isolated incident as other VA Hospitals are short staffed in the Logistics department as we have VA hospitals from neighboring states asking for any available Supply Technicians to go on special assignment to help out in their hospitals due to being so short staffed. This hospital doesn’t have the staffing to help and can’t fill this request.
This staffing shortage extends to Inventory Managers and Supervisors causing supply shortages in the hospital as well. We are having to take supplies from one department to supply more critical departments and do a kind of triage operation of the supply chain throughout the hospital which takes away the high quality healthcare that veterans deserve around the country.
In this time I have gained experience and built partnerships within this VA Hospital and while participating in the VR&E Program and doing the Medical Supply Technician position, I have found that supplies plus people equals the high quality veteran health care that is earned and deserved and that’s not happening because of the hiring freeze that’s in place.
At the same time that I was onboarding for the Medical Supply Technician as a Direct Hire through the VR&E program I was simultaneously about to be offered a Medical Supply Supervisor Role that I had applied and interviewed for and was also stopped due to the hiring freeze.
After the hiring freeze stopped me from getting hired into the VA system I tried to pursue the higher education benefits and due to the funding freeze I was told by my VR&E counselor that transitioning into school is no longer an option at this time and I have to continue the program as is for now.
I have exhausted all my financial funds and only make $740 a month working 32 hours doing this program and by freezing me out both hiring and funding, I’m not sure if me and my family just sacrificed our savings and time for nothing, but at the same time is such a crucial benefit that is earned by veterans and I don’t want to stop, but I’m in such a financial hardship crisis I’m afraid I may be out of options.
I know you’re extremely busy and I thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
William
William,
This is terrible news. I encourage you to share your story with the Veteran organization Common Defense. They are an activists who are taking action against VA cuts. The link to share your story is below. Best of luck to you and yours.
https://commondefense.us/expose-doge?source=email-fundraising&emci=bb3bed75-d1f5-ef11-90cb-0022482a93b5&emdi=59c8cf5b-edf5-ef11-90cb-0022482a93b5&ceid=142730
Lorenzo
Hello,
My name is William, I’m a veteran that is currently service connected with a 40% rating and I’m currently participating in the VA VR&E Program for the last 8 months as a Medical Supply Technician.
The program helps veterans like myself with opportunities for direct hire opportunities as Medical Supply Technicians or some other specific jobs within the VA hospital if positions are available.
The VR&E program is also intended to pursue accredited higher education/vocational training if the direct hire option isn’t available or if we would prefer to pursue some type of accredited higher education/vocational training.
I was in the process of onboarding for a Medical Supply Technician, but did not meet the February 8th deadline for a start date and my offer letter was dated tentatively February 20, 2025.
The position I was onboarding for is in the job family series 2005 Supply Clerical and Technician as a Medical Supply Technician and for unexplained reasons was and still is not included on the hiring freeze exemption list.
We supply the entire hospital with the medical supplies needed for the high quality care for the veterans receiving health care within the VA healthcare system. This includes departments like the Emergency Room, ICU, patient wards and all the supporting functions for example.
This role is a 3 shift position that requires Medical Supply Technicians to be available at all times including holidays.
The VA I’m assigned to is short staffed in Logistics. The hospital is having to pull employees from other departments to help staff the logistics department. The 2nd and the 3rd shifts are much more difficult to pull staffing from other departments causing areas in the hospital to not get supplies stocked that are needed in a timely manner.
This VA is not an isolated incident as other VA Hospitals are short staffed in the Logistics department as we have VA hospitals from neighboring states asking for any available Supply Technicians to go on special assignment to help out in their hospitals due to being so short staffed. This hospital doesn’t have the staffing to help and can’t fill this request.
This staffing shortage extends to Inventory Managers and Supervisors causing supply shortages in the hospital as well. We are having to take supplies from one department to supply more critical departments and do a kind of triage operation of the supply chain throughout the hospital which takes away the high quality healthcare that veterans deserve around the country.
In this time I have gained experience and built partnerships within this VA Hospital and while participating in the VR&E Program and doing the Medical Supply Technician position, I have found that supplies plus people equals the high quality veteran health care that is earned and deserved and that’s not happening because of the hiring freeze that’s in place.
At the same time that I was onboarding for the Medical Supply Technician as a Direct Hire through the VR&E program I was simultaneously about to be offered a Medical Supply Supervisor Role that I had applied and interviewed for and was also stopped due to the hiring freeze.
After the hiring freeze stopped me from getting hired into the VA system I tried to pursue the higher education benefits and due to the funding freeze I was told by my VR&E counselor that transitioning into school is no longer an option at this time and I have to continue the program as is for now.
I have exhausted all my financial funds and only make $740 a month working 32 hours doing this program and by freezing me out both hiring and funding, I’m not sure if me and my family just sacrificed our savings and time for nothing, but at the same time is such a crucial benefit that is earned by veterans and I don’t want to stop, but I’m in such a financial hardship crisis I’m afraid I may be out of options.
I know you’re extremely busy and I thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
William
Bullsh-t. Veterans are being fired by the hundreds.
Right on, veterans being fired illegally, so much for honoring our hero’s. I stand with our illegally terminated VA employees
And you are full of sh*t!
Take your lies somewhere else MAGA scum.