[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6063118,"mediaKeyId","3270732-c69416cb153c1fce3e830083a3bc457f","parentId",3270732,"title","Senators Press VA on Community Care, Mental‑Health Residential Access and Mortgage Relief Programs","audioSeconds",2949,"startMs",2811000,"endMs",5760000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3270732-c69416cb153c1fce3e830083a3bc457f&start=2811&end=5760","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3270732-c69416cb153c1fce3e830083a3bc457f/thumbnail_2811000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6063118/Senators-Press-VA-on-Community-Care-MentalHealth-Residential-Access-and-Mortgage-Relief-Programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063118-8633083c53db2cf106674c4398ad2c60/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136770&Signature=gmAiKO-rmUWK696A3jmUKj09WenJZVU8Ilye3WqAocj9mwIFIC5HSl~OIqRitKtYRDnNVsOoHD~0HzI3t3SHfnRKbo89BACioKYcRAWYUwKkQAn7UqrZax4Cl54FjbcOIzrHhnr2tTqljKc-JZnIXe8Owfz2i7U1U1owN~KenONflDHd~aCBRgqtfKBBK7ksbD3DXsxSKvZ4kFhQvzqqrseoQJH19k7WEOu5G6pxXzxeWMzeyrjABiyOI7SCV-BRYyUTTl2touNVqHbjNOfhq6ZtKiZczcc8Outcue9oUc3Z0-roTToBDNHU8-GbbYd3~IksnQM3YV3wBTLDBEGtzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs","date","2025-05-06T00:00:00Z","article","Senators used the hearing to press the VA on community care implementation under the Mission Act, access to residential mental‑health treatment, problems with third‑party administrators and program changes affecting veterans' housing and claims.

Mission Act and mental‑health residential care: Senator Jerry Moran and others asked whether the VA would add mental health residential rehabilitation treatment programs to Mission Act access standards to expand community‑based access for veterans at risk of suicide. Secretary Collins told the committee that this change was under way: \"Yes. And I think that is going through right now and adding those as we go forward... we agree with you that any opportunity that we can take to give more service to the veterans, especially in the mental health area.\"

Community care and third‑party administrators: Senators raised operational roadblocks to community care, including slow approvals and challenges with third‑party administrators that coordinate care between VA and community providers. Collins said the VA has a working group reviewing community care and that the department is looking at contract renewals and authorization processes to speed access.

Mortgage relief and VASP: Lawmakers also questioned the decision to end the VA Service Purchase Program (VASP) that had used VA authority to manage delinquent veterans' mortgages during the COVID era; Secretary Collins said discretionary elements of that program ended May 1 and noted Congress may need to act to create long‑term solutions, such as partial‑claim approaches under discussion in legislation.

Camp Lejeune claimants and contingency fees: Senators raised concerns about law firms charging large contingency fees to Camp Lejeune claimants. Secretary Collins supported the department's public 'scam alert' and said the VA will work with Congress and other agencies; senators asked the VA to support legislation capping contingency fees for claimants and to provide technical assistance if requested.

Ending: The VA committed to pursue Mission Act adjustments for residential mental‑health access, to review community‑care authorizations and third‑party administrator contracts, and to coordinate with Congress on mortgage‑relief and claimant‑protection measures; senators asked for written updates on each item.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Veterans at the Forefront: Secretary Collins on the Future at VA","oneSentenceSummary","Lawmakers asked the VA about expanding Mission Act access standards to include residential mental‑health rehabilitation, problems with third‑party administrators in community care, the end of the VA service purchase program (VASP), and calls to cap contingency fees for Camp Lejeune claimants.","taxTitle","Veterans Affairs: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",2000,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6063123,"EHR Rollout, Paused Clinical Trials and Research Staff Cuts Draw Senate Scrutiny",630,3960000,4590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3270732-c69416cb153c1fce3e830083a3bc457f&start=3960&end=4590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3270732-c69416cb153c1fce3e830083a3bc457f/thumbnail_3960000.jpg","/articles/6063123/EHR-Rollout-Paused-Clinical-Trials-and-Research-Staff-Cuts-Draw-Senate-Scrutiny","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063123-61a18a5f09fb902a6a7b3ab6d39dd6e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136770&Signature=KX2dieWPwh4-KoCJjHVi3Bo4zGBA4cGdMo9Oe~qPnXB5m8jozMOBuxIdSWz6w4BHngEkeQUd7CHjdDT-2B-ByccqlXRH-xikksQ35xLhpSaBf6xgghiu9DGG9i33SMOhBfc31eGCiFP0zTuj~6M-WPT7qcJuH~o~KiuzXD9Tr0aAhMCaGNpcmArSpOoBgkfkIVAEO4gELNjFDRuOXgzgImGEvKsLQQId0TUfoxHsMMVgqm88PvGs3SF9At2Wj6rPi6M26B8G~jiWS4~~qAuzSPwS5dycD0lpI1PtWO7dl9VZxnu8WqBtPEWdV5xyi5k2-TLkFJUQ3LXbzVQYHpGfTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members raised concerns about the department’s electronic health record (EHR) rollout, clinical trials and research staffing during testimony from Secretary Collins.

Secretary Collins described efforts to accelerate EHR deployment, cited coordination problems with the contractor (Oracle) and said the VA consolidated multiple internal committees into a single decision body to reduce rollout delays. \"We've also cut down on our side, the amount of delay that was caused... and cut that down to 1 committee, that then can communicate directly with Oracle,\" Collins said.

Clinical trials and research staffing: Senators told the committee that some research appointments and trials have been paused or deferred amid staffing and contract reviews. Collins said the VA placed a temporary 90‑day stop on some new trials for review \"so we can examine and make sure that everything's going good.\" He also said ongoing trials were being reviewed and some continued if deemed appropriate.

Why it matters: Senators emphasized patient safety and continuity of care. Senator Patty Murray and others asked whether planned workforce changes had been coordinated with clinical leaders overseeing EHR and research deployments; witnesses from VA clinical leadership had told the committee they had not been fully briefed on some staffing scenarios. Collins said clinical and program leaders had working groups and that clinical input had been incorporated into some EHR planning.

Unresolved items: Committee members asked for more information on which trials were paused, how many veterans were enrolled in paused trials, and whether pausing renewals of research personnel would prevent ongoing or scheduled studies from proceeding. Collins agreed to provide those counts and additional status updates to the committee.

Ending: The committee requested a written accounting of paused trials, affected veterans, and the plan to protect patient safety during EHR rollouts and research‑staffing changes; the VA said it would supply the requested details.","Senators questioned the VA about electronic health record (EHR) deployment problems and a 90‑day pause on some clinical trials and research renewals; the secretary said clinicians are involved and the pause allows review of protocols and staffing implications.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6063128,"Senators Seek Details After VA Says Crisis‑Line Termination Notices Were Rescinded",210,7440000,7650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3270732-c69416cb153c1fce3e830083a3bc457f&start=7440&end=7650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3270732-c69416cb153c1fce3e830083a3bc457f/thumbnail_7440000.jpg","/articles/6063128/Senators-Seek-Details-After-VA-Says-CrisisLine-Termination-Notices-Were-Rescinded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063128-4e23a899741e3c4f1f7a465da16ac097/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136770&Signature=QfiJ4Q8ow77wMTfmtvXIDBiV35EUIZ005wfztV~gb~oqXWO-YaH5fg5~Lu~sGW4dfTJWPIezskEr7XnkkwtUGJt4s6E4FIM1J43zGZelgTwrCKK6vI4I94K-lq-99A5hs0rc7kl~q9AAEUg2qM7LA7u0SAJ4vabclYoAyFgNhAvwCgd6ZhRIwnrogn0kwJiPLkz4ts2JlzZQLh8D6dBfk6E1ff2MPMVA-cmhj6sAveqgd5wUjhcSADLSRzXFGEWN-6njxV9rETS1LGO1NuHqCaOinnobe9kAzvLTGiWJvoi7-BnCWMDeIftWGhyIcDw1AMa3ot794qYrAfEV29K4pQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs questioned Secretary Collins about termination notices and reinstatements affecting Veterans Crisis Line staff and other VA employees.

What the VA told the committee: Secretary Collins said that while 24 Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) employees \"erroneously received probationary termination notices,\" those notices were rescinded and \"all terminated employees were reinstated,\" according to a written response the department provided to senators. Collins emphasized that staff who answer crisis calls were not the personnel dismissed, and that the department moved to bring employees back after review.

Senators' concerns: Committee members said reinstatements did not resolve all problems. Senator Tammy Duckworth said she knew of at least one crisis-line employee who had not been reinstated despite having been promoted to a supervisory role. Duckworth said support staff and supervisors are mission‑critical to the crisis line’s functioning: \"You can't just invest and rehire the pilots of the aircraft and not retain the refuelers and the mechanics who fix that aircraft,\" she said.

Department response and next steps: Collins told the committee the department protected the staff who take veterans’ calls and described bringing back others to avoid degradation of services. He also asked senators to share names or cases so the department could address outstanding individual reinstatement requests. The committee requested written follow-up and additional documentation about who received termination notices, the criteria used for notices, and the status of employees not yet reinstated.

Ending: Senators said failures to reinstate all affected staff and to provide a full accounting of who received notices undermined confidence; the VA said it would provide additional information and work with committee staff to address unresolved individual cases.","Committee members pressed the VA about termination notices sent to Veterans Crisis Line staff; the secretary said staff who answered calls had not been dismissed and that notices to other employees were rescinded and many reinstated, but senators said some affected supervisors remain unresolved.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6063133,"Senators Demand Lists After VA Pauses Hundreds of Contract Cancellations",414,5886000,6300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3270732-c69416cb153c1fce3e830083a3bc457f&start=5886&end=6300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3270732-c69416cb153c1fce3e830083a3bc457f/thumbnail_5886000.jpg","/articles/6063133/Senators-Demand-Lists-After-VA-Pauses-Hundreds-of-Contract-Cancellations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063133-203bf54eb3faf7943b42090e0cbde8aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136770&Signature=CVJi0AKbj0BfmuLYAfyZJMTmQpd2Qk~UWfQCaAwwZgHeNTJM52eYL3iZq05TUsSdbDYQMMH0vcP-ZniB03wHsqFBM7bq9M~53OrLggMFyc4phPqqWQ7JImlBUy4HF0J0xwBx0igRQPcZRn5O3ArMi16UR4hLy5pNCBrqEZuUwzvSt0THEKXQV0zG4s6RCTe85pdVvTQ7iltE6ZvyHI286Jb5gCiKFWvRnXeQ6-Jc~4kpRn4WWul2Ej9JFZrjgCzkkUOfMYafK50PfTSqIoFEDq20JMaNTtV3~0wONstFpH5ZAQnbEsFi8rgVXQmi1efpUXCGk7jDJkjJPF1gYZjAeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators on the Veterans' Affairs Committee pressed Secretary Collins for immediate disclosure of contracts the VA has canceled, paused or renegotiated, after a series of department announcements and partial reversals drew public attention.

What happened: Collins told the committee the department initially identified hundreds of contracts it considered non‑mission critical, then paused or rescinded some actions after public and congressional scrutiny. Senators asked for a specific list of the contracts and the rationale for terminating or renegotiating them.

Senators' requests and department response: Senator Angus King said he had requested a list of 585 contracts in March and described receiving a \"nonresponse\" until recently; he pressed Collins for a clearer timeline. \"There exists this list. Why won't you supply it to this committee?\" King asked. Collins responded that many contract actions were still in negotiation or being rescoped and that the department would provide finalized information when those processes are complete.

Numbers cited in the hearing include an initial announcement of roughly 875 non‑mission‑critical contract actions that the department later reconsidered and, subsequently, a March notice referencing 585 contracts. Collins said some items were terminated, some were being rescopied, and some were being allowed to continue; he committed to working with committee staff on what can be released.

Why it matters: Contracts affect service delivery and can carry termination costs or require renegotiation. Senators characterized timely access to a specific contract list as fundamental to congressional oversight and to assessing near‑term impacts on veterans' services.

Ending: The committee requested the contract lists and supporting rationales; Collins asked for time to produce finalized materials and said the department would provide information \"as those are finished.\" Senators signaled that providing the lists promptly was necessary to restore confidence in the department's decision process.","Committee members pressed the VA for a list of contracts the department canceled or renegotiated after public and congressional pushback; the secretary said many reviews are ongoing and final contract lists will be provided when complete.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6063136,"Senators Press VA Secretary on 15% 'Goal' to Reshape Workforce",1506,1254000,2760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3270732-c69416cb153c1fce3e830083a3bc457f&start=1254&end=2760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3270732-c69416cb153c1fce3e830083a3bc457f/thumbnail_1254000.jpg","/articles/6063136/Senators-Press-VA-Secretary-on-15-Goal-to-Reshape-Workforce","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063136-557c6e963378e03278ce6d31e18f639c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136770&Signature=NYqlkZiuz516huw3MWFrtDGr8Z8-8EVfEcclUjtaU3mclkzlxSKZbxHk47Rv1TxorC8gTaAl4ubMTNYbhwXTYTO7A3z0xyGq5wGz3GnBnRoUl8AIrPBzIRCfXS4CELIJ3RymUzzub3Rw4Bh4OCs3Tu-6775SsxXC1ycEEyXqmOaIGduw3Lj8Mcy2kpBgUETIIABD8Omnad~oFjnAdTM4MJtMREWPoebDs2lhq~UXpFKQDYEhCWznYHjAo1~NQXNqHpgX4~uozbLK7xiYCjQHqoDud6iLiZ8S3Vko8lGaorpu2V~xnOv1QtVNyX24FWd15HmVaXibl6jLlKM6LKF6mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Secretary Collins testified before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on workforce changes at the Department of Veterans Affairs, saying the department has a \"goal\" of a 15% reduction in staff as part of a broad review of VA operations.

The goal, Collins said, is intended to \"increase productivity, eliminate waste, [and] improve health care\" while preserving mission-essential roles. \"Our goal as we look at it as everything goes forward, is a 15% decrease. It is a goal,\" Collins told the committee. He also said the figure could change: \"If it's as the chairman said, it could be less, could be more. It is a goal that you have to look at.\"

Why it matters: Senators pressed Collins for specifics because VA employment and recent hiring have been directly tied to expanded benefits and care. Ranking Member Senator Richard Blumenthal warned that mass firings would harm services, saying, \"Improvement is absolutely necessary, but it shouldn't be done with a chainsaw.\" Blumenthal and others cited reports of thousands of employees recently hired to implement laws such as the PACT Act and to staff expanded health-care and claims-processing functions.

Key facts and debate:
- Secretary Collins said the VA payroll and human resources systems are disorganized, and cited difficulties assembling accurate employee lists. He told the committee the VA had about 470,000 employees on the payroll records he reviewed and that adding staff in recent years did not reliably improve wait times or other performance measures.
- Collins said the disability-claims backlog was about 260,000 when he took office and that it had fallen by roughly 40,000 since then.
- Senators repeatedly asked for concrete lists and analyses showing which occupational categories would be reduced; Collins repeatedly declined to release detailed, predecisional plans in public, saying the work is ongoing and that publishing deliberative details would be counterproductive.
- Senators including Blumenthal, Senator Chris Murphy (via references in questioning), Senator Tammy Duckworth and others pressed Collins for assurances that frontline clinical roles would be preserved and that cuts would not undercut patient access. Collins said he would preserve \"mission essential jobs like doctors, nurses, claims processors\" while seeking reductions in what he described as nonessential roles.

Unresolved items and committee requests: Senators sought written follow-up on the categories and numbers of employees being considered for separation, the criteria used to identify positions for reduction, and the estimated costs and savings of separations versus rehiring or wrongful-termination settlements. Collins agreed to provide requested information to the committee staff.

Ending: The committee left the discussion without a final plan or public metrics; members asked for more complete staffing breakdowns and analyses. Collins defended the review as a necessary restructuring to improve veteran outcomes; senators asked for specific data, contingency analyses and assurances that any changes would be coordinated with VA clinical leadership and Congress.","At a Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearing, Secretary Collins defended a department review that sets a 15% workforce-reduction goal while senators demanded data showing how cuts would avoid harming veteran care, citing thousands of recent hires tied to expanded benefits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senators Press VA on Community Care, Mental‑Health Residential Access and Mortgage Relief Programs

EHR Rollout, Paused Clinical Trials and Research Staff Cuts Draw Senate Scrutiny

Senators Seek Details After VA Says Crisis‑Line Termination Notices Were Rescinded

Senators Demand Lists After VA Pauses Hundreds of Contract Cancellations

Senators Press VA Secretary on 15% 'Goal' to Reshape Workforce