Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held an oversight hearing to examine proposed changes to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system. The session focused on plans introduced by VA Secretary Doug Collins to reorganize and restructure elements of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), including updates to the VA’s VISN map.
Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.) opened the hearing by emphasizing the importance of adapting VA programs to better serve veterans, their families, and survivors. He noted that many aspects of the VHA structure have not been modernized since the 1990s and do not fully address current needs across the United States and its territories.
Bost stated, “This is a significant proposed reorganization of the Veterans Health Administration, and I know Members of this Committee have serious questions about how it will be implemented and how it will affect veterans and the workforce.”
He also acknowledged Secretary Collins for attending: “Before we begin, I want to thank my friend, Secretary Collins, for being here today. Secretary Collins, you have testified before this Committee before, and we appreciate you appearing again.”
Secretary Collins was joined by John Bartrum, Under Secretary for Health; Mark Englebaum, Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration; and Gregory Goins, Acting Chief Operating Officer for VHA.
Chairman Bost encouraged committee members to use their time to question witnesses directly about details of the reorganization. He added: “I also want to ensure a productive hearing today, so I ask that we all be respectful of other Members and the witnesses.”
Addressing transparency moving forward with these changes at VA facilities nationwide, Bost asked: “Secretary Collins, as this reorganization moves forward—and as additional changes occur within V.A. more broadly—will you commit to making yourself available to testify before this Committee as developments occur, not just during the annual budget submission?”
The hearing continued with statements from Ranking Member Takano.
