Collins Explains Why Workforce Cuts at VA Are Necessary: Money and People Aren’t the Solution

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is facing workforce cuts after a surge in hiring during the Biden administration. VA Secretary Doug Collins explained that more employees don’t always translate to better service for veterans.

In fiscal 2023, the VA’s health sector hired 61,000 new staff members, the highest in 15 years, to meet increased demand from veterans seeking health care and benefits. However, Collins pointed out that despite this growth, issues like claims backlogs and long wait times have worsened. “Adding people and money hasn’t improved our service,” he stated during a Senate hearing.

Internal documents reveal plans to reduce the workforce by 83,000 positions, returning to 2019 staffing levels. Collins is aiming for a 15% workforce cut, suggesting that this could change based on ongoing assessments.

He argued that trimming nonessential roles will free up funds for direct veteran care. “We want to keep essential jobs, like doctors and nurses, while phasing out roles that don’t directly support veterans,” he added.

Bipartisan concerns emerged during hearings, with Senator Jerry Moran emphasizing the need for a skilled workforce while avoiding arbitrary targets. Senator Richard Blumenthal highlighted that the expansion was partly due to the PACT Act, which provides benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances. He warned that cutting health care staff could hurt care quality.

Collins insisted that no employees working directly with veterans would be cut but acknowledged that slashing support roles could strain services. Administrative tasks, such as scheduling and equipment management, often fall to support personnel, making their roles essential.

Senator Maggie Hassan raised worries about the feasibility of substantial cuts, questioning how the VA could eliminate 83,000 positions without impacting health care directly. Notably, the VA currently employs around 370,000 people in health services alone.

The VA is exploring attrition strategies, offering incentives for early retirement and paid administrative leave to manage cuts. So far, only a small percentage of non-critical employees have been let go, focusing on maintaining core services while optimizing operations.

Collins urged Congress to improve pay for VA doctors to better compete with private sectors. “It’s tough to attract talent when we’re often offering significantly lower salaries,” he noted, echoing concerns raised by previous administrations about recruitment challenges.

Looking ahead, the VA is investing in community care options, allowing veterans to access health services outside the VA system. The 2018 MISSION Act aimed to increase these options, but Collins remarked that implementation has been inconsistent. Lawmakers supported expanding these opportunities to make care more accessible and convenient for veterans.

As the VA navigates these workforce changes, it’s crucial to maintain a balance between efficiency and service quality. The commitment to veterans’ care should remain the primary focus amid these transitions.

For more detailed insights, you can refer to resources like the Government Executive report, which covers recent workforce trends and challenges at the VA.

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