Few issues are more important to the American public than care for our nation’s Veterans. It doesn’t, however, mean that the agency responsible for providing that care should be exempted from government efforts to become leaner and more efficient. Doug Collins, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, reacted to critics of DOGE and its auditing of VA activities in an interview with Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” on Friday. Collins said that the VA would not reduce the quality of care it provides to veterans. He called the reports to the contrary, “fake news.”
Doug Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), slammed critics who he said were spreading “fake information” about how the Department of Government Efficiency cuts (DOGE), implemented by the Trump Administration, adversely affect veterans’ care.
Collins, who is still an active colonel with the U.S. Air Force Reserves and has served in his current position for only a few months, announced that the VA would be opening a new clinic, the fourth in just the short time he’s been in office.
Collins stated in a press release that “while government union bosses and the legacy media, as well as some members of Congress, have spread false rumors about health care and benefit cuts at VA we’ve opened dozens of brand new clinics which will serve tens and thousands of veterans.”
Don’t believe fake news.
Disclosure: My wife is a veteran who is 100 percent disabled and relies on the VA to take care of nearly all her medical needs. The VA clinic in Wasilla is the place to go for the majority of her issues. Her specialty care is handled by two cardiologists in Anchorage and Seattle, all under contract with the VA.
According to Secretary Collins, the VA is opening new clinics.
The VA opened a new VA clinic in Hamilton Montana on Friday. This was the fourth ribbon-cutting ceremony since President Donald Trump assumed office less than two months ago.
Collins has previously overseen the establishment of new clinics in Aurora, Colorado, Ridgewood, Queens, New York City, as well as Spotsylvania, Virginia, which is a fast-growing area between Washington, D.C., Richmond, Virginia, as well as Aurora, Colorado.
Last week, a Montana VA official said to Montana Public Radio that Collins was clear that “no cut” would be made to VA services despite DOGE’s attempts to axe the bureaucracy and many VA employees.
The new 8,000-square-foot facility is 600% bigger than the previous clinic, which has now closed in the region.
The VA is no exception. However, it is still unclear if the VA is experiencing bloat on the level of care. The VA can reduce bloat by eliminating unnecessary programs and redirecting funds to more important healthcare areas.
Staff reductions will occur:
Collins stated that Trump had set a reduction-in-force goal, and Democrats don’t understand that projected staff numbers are part of “a deliberative process which will take some time.”
This includes career VA employees. He said that senior executives would be included.
It is unclear if this will be resolved by attrition or by laying off staff members, but no specifics have been provided.
Since 1860 the federal government’s size and scope have grown far beyond its constitutional limits. Washington has a constitutional duty to protect the property and liberty of its citizens. This includes maintaining the armed forces. Most importantly, those who were injured during their service. The VA is almost certain to be bloated, but new clinics are being opened across the country, which suggests that the VA and DOGE have this priority right.
