VA consolidates its health care networks from 18 to five and caps staffing; Collins says it cuts bureaucracy, and critics say the caps strain veterans' care
The VA has merged its 18 regional health care networks into five and set staffing caps. Officials say the changes trim bureaucracy without layoffs; critics, mostly Democrats, say the caps and earlier staff losses strain veterans' care.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
On December 15, 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced a reorganization of the management structure of the Veterans Health Administration, which runs the VA's hospitals and clinics. The VA calls the effort the Restructure for Impact and Sustainability Effort, or RISE, and describes it as its largest transformation in more than 30 years. It shrinks the VA's regional health care networks, known as Veterans Integrated Service Networks or VISNs, from 18 to five, adds health service areas beneath them and gives VHA Central Office responsibility for policy, financial management and oversight. The VA said the changes would take 18 to 24 months.
The VA also lifted its health care hiring freeze in January 2026 but gave each network a baseline number of positions that it can exceed only with approval from a central hiring committee, and it removed vacant positions from its rolls. VA officials told senators the caps correct overhiring; Gregory Goins, the VHA's acting chief operating officer, said 14 percent staff growth against 6 percent workload growth was unsustainable. Secretary Doug Collins says the reorganization is not a reduction in force and that staffing at medical centers and clinics will not change.
Republican committee chairs Mike Bost and Jerry Moran back the plan's aims, though Bost has his own bill for eight networks, and Moran said he would not want a cap to be the determining factor if problems develop. Democrats on both veterans' committees, and Kenneth Kizer, who designed the network structure in the 1990s, say the plan lacks detail and comes on top of large staff losses. Sen. Maggie Hassan told Collins that doctors and nurses are not overhead.
As of November 13, 2026, the VA lists five networks on its website, which GAO says changed on July 15, 2026, and its RISE page says no offices or positions will be eliminated through the restructure.
Read the full background
The VA's regional networks date from 1995, when Under Secretary for Health Kenneth Kizer organized VA hospitals and clinics into 22 networks, later reduced to 18. The VA cites reviews by the Government Accountability Office, its inspector general and the 2016 Commission on Care that found unclear roles and weak accountability in that structure. Its RISE page says the restructuring is directed by Executive Order 14210, a February 2025 order that told agencies to plan workforce reductions and reorganizations.
The reorganization follows a year in which the VA reduced its workforce by about 30,000 positions, mostly through attrition and voluntary departures, after dropping a 2025 plan to cut as many as 83,000 jobs. Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Democrats say more than 40,000 employees left in fiscal year 2025; the VA says it met its 30,000 reduction goal and did not lose 40,000. The two sides also dispute mental health wait times and what the inspector general's annual survey of staffing shortages measures.
Other disputes are about how to describe the changes. The VA says the effort is not a reduction in force and that no positions will be eliminated through the restructure; critics point to the vacant positions it removed and to the caps on new hiring. In February 2026, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said a draft VA estimate put the cost at about $521 million in the first year and $312 million over five years, after she had been told it would be cost neutral.
The VA's separate decision to end most of its union contracts is covered in its own case.
People in this case
Doug CollinsDirectly involved
Gregory GoinsDirectly involved
Timeline
10 timeline entries on this page. Dates: December 13, 2025 to September 11, 2026
December 2025
Report says the VA plans to eliminate up to 35,000 health care positions, most of them unfilled
Sen. Richard Blumenthal responds to a Washington Post report that the VA planned to remove as many as 35,000 health care positions before the end of 2025, most of them unfilled, including positions for doctors and nurses.
[01]Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee release: Blumenthal statement on the VA's plan to eliminate more than 35,000 health care jobs
Statement from Sen. Richard Blumenthal, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, issued December 13, 2025 after a Washington Post report that the VA planned to eliminate as many as 35,000 health care positions, most of them unfilled.
VA announces its intent to reorganize the Veterans Health Administration
Source release
The VA says it will reorganize the VHA's management structure over 18 to 24 months, with VHA Central Office setting policy and its networks carrying it out. It says staffing at medical centers and clinics will not change and that the effort is not a reduction in force.
[02]United States Department of Veterans Affairs
VA press release of December 15, 2025 announcing its intent to reorganize the management structure of the Veterans Health Administration over 18 to 24 months. It says VHA Central Office will set policy goals and handle financial management, oversight and compliance, that staffing and operations at medical centers and clinics will not change, and that the effort is not a reduction in force. It quotes Secretary Doug Collins and lists GAO, inspector general and Commission on Care findings the department cites as reasons for the change.
VA release: VA launches Veterans Health Administration reorganization · United States Department of Veterans AffairsPress release textBost introduces a bill to set the VA's regional networks in law and cut them to eight
House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost's VISN Reform Act would consolidate the 18 networks into eight, each with a single headquarters at a VA medical center and no more than 50 full-time staff.
[03]House Veterans' Affairs Committee release: Chairman Bost and House Republicans introduce VA accountability bills, including VISN reform
Release of December 16, 2025 announcing four bills from Chairman Mike Bost and other House Republicans, including Bost's VISN Reform Act, which would set the regional networks in law and consolidate the 18 networks into eight, each with a single headquarters capped at 50 full-time staff.
House Veterans' Affairs Committee release: Chairman Bost and House Republicans introduce VA accountability bills, including VISN reformRelease text and linked VISN one-pager
January 2026
VA lifts its health care hiring freeze but sets a baseline number of positions for each network
Federal News Network reports that a memo from Under Secretary for Health John Bartrum lifted the VHA hiring freeze and gave each regional network a baseline number of positions that it can exceed only with approval from the VA's Strategic Hiring Committee.
[04]Federal News Network: VA officially lifts hiring freeze, but staffing caps still in place for shrinking workforce
Federal News Network report of January 22, 2026 on a memo from Under Secretary for Health John Bartrum lifting the VHA hiring freeze while allocating each regional network a baseline number of positions, and on a report by Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Democrats on staff losses. It includes the VA press secretary's disputes of the report's figures.
Senate Veterans' Affairs Democrats report staff losses and strict staffing caps; the VA disputes the figures
Source release
A report released by Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal says the VA lost more than 40,000 employees in fiscal year 2025, most of them health care staff, and that facilities operate under strict staffing caps. The VA's press secretary says the department met its 30,000 reduction goal and did not lose 40,000.
[05]Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee release: Blumenthal releases report on VA staffing losses and cuts
Release of January 22, 2026 from Sen. Richard Blumenthal, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, announcing a committee Democrats' report on VA staffing losses, staffing caps, mental health wait times and contract cancellations. It lists the report's key findings, including its count of employees who left in fiscal year 2025.
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee release: Blumenthal releases report on VA staffing losses and cutsRelease text, key findings[04]Federal News Network: VA officially lifts hiring freeze, but staffing caps still in place for shrinking workforce
Federal News Network report of January 22, 2026 on a memo from Under Secretary for Health John Bartrum lifting the VHA hiring freeze while allocating each regional network a baseline number of positions, and on a report by Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Democrats on staff losses. It includes the VA press secretary's disputes of the report's figures.
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee holds a hearing on the VHA restructuring
Secretary Doug Collins and other VA officials testify on the plan to consolidate the 18 regional networks into five. Senators of both parties question the new staffing caps, and officials say the caps correct earlier overhiring.
[06]United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Secretary Doug Collins's written statement for the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing of January 28, 2026 on the Veterans Health Administration reorganization. It says the effort is not a reduction in force, lists GAO and inspector general findings, and says staffing and operations at medical centers and clinics will not change.
Statement of Secretary Douglas A. Collins before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, January 28, 2026 · United States Department of Veterans AffairsWritten statement, pages 1 to 4[07]Government Executive: VA's reorganization, staffing caps a result of previous overhiring, officials say
Government Executive report on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing of January 28, 2026 with Secretary Doug Collins and other VA officials. It quotes acting VHA chief operating officer Gregory Goins and Sen. Maggie Hassan from the hearing, and Chairman Jerry Moran from remarks after it, on the reorganization and new facility staffing caps.
[08]Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on restructuring the Veterans Health Administration, January 28, 2026 (hearing video)
Archived video of the committee's January 28, 2026 hearing, Building a 21st Century VA Health Care System: Assessing Efforts to Restructure the Veterans Health Administration. Sen. Tommy Tuberville shows a chart of VHA staff growth against patient encounters and asks whether the VA is rebalancing after overhiring. Gregory Goins, the VHA's acting chief operating officer, answers that the VA has not tied staffing to workload and that 14 percent staff growth against 6 percent workload growth is unsustainable.
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on restructuring the Veterans Health Administration, January 28, 2026 (hearing video)Sen. Tommy Tuberville's question, about 0:59:31 to 1:00:27, and Gregory Goins's answer, about 1:01:51 to 1:03:39 on the archived video timeline
February 2026
House Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing; a draft VA estimate puts the reorganization's net cost at $312 million over five years
Collins testifies on the reorganization. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz says a draft VA estimate shows about $521 million in first-year costs and a net cost of about $312 million over five years, and Collins says the money will come from existing accounts.
[09]House Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing transcript: Opportunities with VHA Reorganization, February 11, 2026
Official printed transcript of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearing of February 11, 2026, at which Secretary Doug Collins testified on the Veterans Health Administration reorganization. It includes opening statements by Chairman Mike Bost and Ranking Member Mark Takano and questions from committee members and from Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
House Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing transcript: Opportunities with VHA Reorganization, February 11, 2026Hearing transcript, Serial No. 119-48[10]Military Times: VA reorganization projected to cost at least $312 million
Military Times report on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearing of February 11, 2026, where Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz cited a draft VA cost estimate for the reorganization and Secretary Doug Collins said the costs would come from existing accounts.
July 2026
VA's website shows five regional networks in place of 18
GAO reports that on July 15, 2026 the VA updated its website to reflect that it had reorganized its network structure from 18 networks to five. The VA's network page lists the states in each of the five.
[11]GAO-26-108467, Veterans Health Care: Information on Eligibility for and Use of Dental Benefits
GAO report published September 23, 2026 on VA dental benefits. Its table notes say that on July 15, 2026 the VA updated its website to reflect that it had reorganized its regional network structure from 18 to five networks, so GAO's figures use the earlier structure.
[12]United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The VA's page listing its regional health care networks. As read November 13, 2026, it says the department comprises five Veterans Integrated Service Networks and lists the states each one includes.
VA: Veterans Integrated Service Networks · United States Department of Veterans AffairsPage text
August 2026
New Mexico's congressional Democrats ask Collins how the state will fare in the five-network structure
Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan and three House members ask the VA for dedicated regional leadership for New Mexico veterans and state-specific measures of wait times, access and satisfaction under the new structure.
[13]Martin Heinrich
Letter of August 12, 2026 from New Mexico's two senators and three House members to Secretary Doug Collins asking how the state's veterans will be served within the VA's new five-network structure, including dedicated regional leadership and state-specific performance measures.
Letter from New Mexico's congressional Democrats to Secretary Collins on the VISN reorganization · Martin HeinrichFull letter (two pages)
September 2026
Inspector general survey counts 4,712 severe staffing shortages at VA facilities; the VA says it does not measure vacancies
Source release
VHA officials reported 4,712 severe occupational staffing shortages for fiscal 2026, up from 2,959 in fiscal 2024. The VA's press secretary says the survey reflects hard-to-fill occupations rather than vacancies, and Sen. Richard Blumenthal says it confirms shortages are growing.
[14]VA Office of Inspector General: Veterans Health Administration's responses on severe occupational staffing shortages, fiscal year 2026
Annual VA inspector general report of VHA officials' responses on severe occupational staffing shortages for fiscal 2026. It says officials reported 4,712 severe shortages and notes the responses are facility perceptions at one point in time that the inspector general did not validate.
[15]Military Times: VA facilities struggle to staff mental health, nursing, safety positions, watchdog finds
Military Times report on the VA inspector general's fiscal 2026 survey of severe occupational staffing shortages at VA medical facilities, with the VA press secretary's response that the survey does not measure vacancies and Sen. Richard Blumenthal's statement on it.
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The reorganization is not a reduction in force, and staffing and operations at VA medical centers and clinics will not change as part of it.
What is disputed
The VA made this claim when it announced the reorganization, Secretary Doug Collins repeated it in his January 28, 2026 testimony, and the VA's RISE page says no offices or positions will be eliminated through the restructure. Critics including Sens. Richard Blumenthal, Maggie Hassan and Tammy Baldwin point to the VA's removal of tens of thousands of unfilled positions and to the caps on how many people each network can employ, which they say limit hiring at hospitals and clinics. VA officials say the removed positions were vacant or unfunded and that exceptions are allowed for critical clinical needs.
Sources (7)
- VA release: VA launches Veterans Health Administration reorganization · United States Department of Veterans AffairsPress release text
- Statement of Secretary Douglas A. Collins before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, January 28, 2026 · United States Department of Veterans AffairsWritten statement, pages 1 to 4
- VA RISE: Restructure for Impact and Sustainability Effort · United States Department of Veterans AffairsPage text and frequently asked questions
- Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on restructuring the Veterans Health Administration, January 28, 2026 (hearing video)Sen. Maggie Hassan's questions on position eliminations and hiring caps, about 1:21:42 to 1:22:51 and 1:24:13 to 1:26:13 on the archived video timeline
- Sen. Tammy Baldwin release: Baldwin presses Trump administration on planned restructuring and staff cuts at VA · Tammy BaldwinRelease text and letter to Secretary Collins
Disputed claim
The Veterans Health Administration added 14 percent more personnel to support a 6 percent increase in workload over the same period, which the VA cannot sustain.
What is disputed
Goins said this in answer to Sen. Tommy Tuberville, whose chart showed VHA employees growing 14 percent and patient encounters 6 percent over five years from fiscal year 2019. VA officials said the growth followed hiring for the COVID-19 pandemic and for an expected rise in demand after the PACT Act. Democrats on the committee said the VA had lost tens of thousands of employees since January 2025, many of them in health care, and Sen. Maggie Hassan said the chart raised more questions than it answered.
Sources (4)
- Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on restructuring the Veterans Health Administration, January 28, 2026 (hearing video)Sen. Tommy Tuberville's question, about 0:59:31 to 1:00:27, and Gregory Goins's answer, about 1:01:51 to 1:03:39 on the archived video timeline
- Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on restructuring the Veterans Health Administration, January 28, 2026 (hearing video)Sen. Maggie Hassan's questions on position eliminations and hiring caps, about 1:21:42 to 1:22:51 and 1:24:13 to 1:26:13 on the archived video timeline
Disputed claim
The VA lost more than 40,000 employees in fiscal year 2025, and 88 percent of those who left were health care staff.
What is disputed
The figures come from a report that Democrats on the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, led by Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal, released before the January 28, 2026 hearing. VA press secretary Pete Kasperowicz said the department met its goal of reducing its headcount by 30,000 but did not lose 40,000 employees. Federal News Network reported that VA data showed about 21,000 hires in 2025 and that federal personnel data showed a net reduction of more than 27,000 VA positions.
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
2 matching responses. Newest first.
Gregory GoinsActing chief operating officer of the Veterans Health Administration, testifying before the Senate Committee on Veterans' AffairsDirectly involvedBefore this statement
Sen. Tommy Tuberville showed a chart of VHA staff growth against patient encounters since fiscal year 2019 and asked whether the VA was rebalancing after overhiring. Goins said the VA had added staff at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and in anticipation of demand after the PACT Act that did not fully arrive.
"Our organization cannot withstand over time and be sustained with a 14% increase of personnel to support a 6% increase in workload"
Defended or excusedResponding to: The Veterans Health Administration added 14 percent more personnel to support a 6 percent increase in workload over the same period, which the VA cannot sustain.
Full statement and sources
Goins tells senators the VA has never tied staffing to workload, and that the VHA cannot sustain a 14 percent increase in personnel to support a 6 percent increase in workload.
After the statement
Goins said the situation was unsustainable and not right for taxpayers. Later in the hearing he said the VA had never had a strategic approach to allocating resources across the system.
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on restructuring the Veterans Health Administration, January 28, 2026 (hearing video)Sen. Tommy Tuberville's question, about 0:59:31 to 1:00:27, and Gregory Goins's answer, about 1:01:51 to 1:03:39 on the archived video timelineWhy this label?
The reference point is the VA's reorganization of the Veterans Health Administration, announced December 15, 2025, and the staffing caps that came with it. Goins argues that VHA staffing outgrew its workload and that the VA must bring the two back into line, which defends the staffing caps and the rebalancing that came with the reorganization.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Doug CollinsSecretary of veterans affairs, in the VA's announcement of the reorganizationDirectly involvedBefore this statement
The VA announced its intent to reorganize the management structure of the Veterans Health Administration, saying it would reduce duplicative management layers without reducing staff.
"The current VHA leadership structure is riddled with redundancies that slow decision making, sow confusion and create competing priorities. In other words, when everyone's in charge of everything, no one's in charge of anything"
Defended or excusedCase context: VA consolidates its health care networks from 18 to five and caps staffing; Collins says it cuts bureaucracy, and critics say the caps strain veterans' care
Full statement and sources
Collins says the VHA's leadership structure is full of redundancies that slow decisions, cause confusion and create competing priorities, and that when everyone is in charge of everything, no one is in charge of anything.
After the statement
Collins said that under a reorganized VHA, policymakers will set policy, regional leaders will focus on carrying it out and clinical leaders will focus on taking care of veterans.
VA release: VA launches Veterans Health Administration reorganization · United States Department of Veterans AffairsPress release textWhy this label?
The reference point is the VA's reorganization of the Veterans Health Administration, announced December 15, 2025, and the staffing caps that came with it. Collins announces the reorganization and argues that the structure it replaces is redundant and unaccountable, which defends the reorganization.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(26)
Official statement
VA release: VA launches Veterans Health Administration reorganization
Relevant passage: Press release text
About this source
VA press release of December 15, 2025 announcing its intent to reorganize the management structure of the Veterans Health Administration over 18 to 24 months. It says VHA Central Office will set policy goals and handle financial management, oversight and compliance, that staffing and operations at medical centers and clinics will not change, and that the effort is not a reduction in force. It quotes Secretary Doug Collins and lists GAO, inspector general and Commission on Care findings the department cites as reasons for the change.
- Author
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
House Veterans' Affairs Committee Democrats release: Ranking Member Takano's remarks at hearing on VA plan to reorganize VHA
Relevant passage: Opening remarks as prepared
About this source
Release of February 11, 2026 with the prepared text of Ranking Member Mark Takano's opening remarks at the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearing on the VA's plan to reorganize the Veterans Health Administration. The remarks as delivered, in the printed hearing transcript, differ slightly in wording.
- Author
- House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, minority
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Paralyzed Veterans of America statement in response to the VA's reorganization of VHA
Relevant passage: Statement text
About this source
Release of December 16, 2025 with a statement from Paralyzed Veterans of America chief executive Carl Blake after Secretary Doug Collins announced the reorganization of the Veterans Health Administration. It also addresses unfilled positions in the VA's spinal cord injury and disease system of care.
- Author
- Paralyzed Veterans of America
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee release: Blumenthal releases report on VA staffing losses and cuts
Relevant passage: Release text, key findings
About this source
Release of January 22, 2026 from Sen. Richard Blumenthal, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, announcing a committee Democrats' report on VA staffing losses, staffing caps, mental health wait times and contract cancellations. It lists the report's key findings, including its count of employees who left in fiscal year 2025.
- Author
- U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, minority
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Statement of Secretary Douglas A. Collins before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, January 28, 2026
Relevant passage: Written statement, pages 1 to 4
About this source
Secretary Doug Collins's written statement for the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing of January 28, 2026 on the Veterans Health Administration reorganization. It says the effort is not a reduction in force, lists GAO and inspector general findings, and says staffing and operations at medical centers and clinics will not change.
- Author
- Douglas A. Collins
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Letter from New Mexico's congressional Democrats to Secretary Collins on the VISN reorganization
Relevant passage: Full letter (two pages)
About this source
Letter of August 12, 2026 from New Mexico's two senators and three House members to Secretary Doug Collins asking how the state's veterans will be served within the VA's new five-network structure, including dedicated regional leadership and state-specific performance measures.
- Author
- Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan; Reps. Gabe Vasquez, Melanie Stansbury and Teresa Leger Fernandez
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
House Veterans' Affairs Committee release: Chairman Bost and House Republicans introduce VA accountability bills, including VISN reform
Relevant passage: Release text and linked VISN one-pager
About this source
Release of December 16, 2025 announcing four bills from Chairman Mike Bost and other House Republicans, including Bost's VISN Reform Act, which would set the regional networks in law and consolidate the 18 networks into eight, each with a single headquarters capped at 50 full-time staff.
- Author
- House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
VA Office of Inspector General: Veterans Health Administration's responses on severe occupational staffing shortages, fiscal year 2026
Relevant passage: Report summary
About this source
Annual VA inspector general report of VHA officials' responses on severe occupational staffing shortages for fiscal 2026. It says officials reported 4,712 severe shortages and notes the responses are facility perceptions at one point in time that the inspector general did not validate.
- Author
- VA Office of Inspector General
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Military Times: VA facilities struggle to staff mental health, nursing, safety positions, watchdog finds
Relevant passage: Article text
About this source
Military Times report on the VA inspector general's fiscal 2026 survey of severe occupational staffing shortages at VA medical facilities, with the VA press secretary's response that the survey does not measure vacancies and Sen. Richard Blumenthal's statement on it.
- Author
- Patricia Kime
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
GAO-26-108467, Veterans Health Care: Information on Eligibility for and Use of Dental Benefits
Relevant passage: Notes to tables 1 and 5
About this source
GAO report published September 23, 2026 on VA dental benefits. Its table notes say that on July 15, 2026 the VA updated its website to reflect that it had reorganized its regional network structure from 18 to five networks, so GAO's figures use the earlier structure.
- Author
- U.S. Government Accountability Office
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
VA: Veterans Integrated Service Networks
Relevant passage: Page text
About this source
The VA's page listing its regional health care networks. As read November 13, 2026, it says the department comprises five Veterans Integrated Service Networks and lists the states each one includes.
- Author
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Accessed
Official statement
VA RISE: Restructure for Impact and Sustainability Effort
Relevant passage: Page text and frequently asked questions
About this source
The VA's public page for its Veterans Health Administration restructuring, which it calls RISE. As read November 13, 2026, it shows maps of five regional networks and 18 health service areas, says the effort is directed by Executive Order 14210, and answers that no offices or positions will be eliminated through the restructure.
- Author
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Accessed
Reporting
Military Times: VA reorganization projected to cost at least $312 million
Relevant passage: Article text
About this source
Military Times report on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearing of February 11, 2026, where Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz cited a draft VA cost estimate for the reorganization and Secretary Doug Collins said the costs would come from existing accounts.
- Author
- Patricia Kime
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Federal News Network: VA officially lifts hiring freeze, but staffing caps still in place for shrinking workforce
Relevant passage: Article text
About this source
Federal News Network report of January 22, 2026 on a memo from Under Secretary for Health John Bartrum lifting the VHA hiring freeze while allocating each regional network a baseline number of positions, and on a report by Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Democrats on staff losses. It includes the VA press secretary's disputes of the report's figures.
- Author
- Jory Heckman
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Sen. Tammy Baldwin release: Baldwin presses Trump administration on planned restructuring and staff cuts at VA
Relevant passage: Release text and letter to Secretary Collins
About this source
Release of April 6, 2026 from Sen. Tammy Baldwin with the text of her letter to Secretary Doug Collins on the Veterans Health Administration restructuring and the elimination of unfilled positions, including her questions about Wisconsin facilities, costs and how the VA will measure success.
- Author
- Office of Sen. Tammy Baldwin
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Testimony of Kenneth W. Kizer for the House Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on VHA restructuring
Relevant passage: Statement for the record, section 6 and conclusion
About this source
Written statement for the record that Kenneth W. Kizer, the VA under secretary for health who set up the regional network structure in the 1990s, submitted for the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearing of February 11, 2026. He says he does not represent any agency or organization and was asked for his views by committee staff.
- Author
- Kenneth W. Kizer
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
House Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing transcript: Opportunities with VHA Reorganization, February 11, 2026
Relevant passage: Hearing transcript, Serial No. 119-48
About this source
Official printed transcript of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearing of February 11, 2026, at which Secretary Doug Collins testified on the Veterans Health Administration reorganization. It includes opening statements by Chairman Mike Bost and Ranking Member Mark Takano and questions from committee members and from Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
- Author
- U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee release: Blumenthal statement on the VA's plan to eliminate more than 35,000 health care jobs
Relevant passage: Statement text
About this source
Statement from Sen. Richard Blumenthal, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, issued December 13, 2025 after a Washington Post report that the VA planned to eliminate as many as 35,000 health care positions, most of them unfilled.
- Author
- U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, minority
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee release: Chairman Moran leads hearing to review reforms to the Veterans Health Administration
Relevant passage: Release text
About this source
Release from Sen. Jerry Moran, chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, with excerpts of his opening remarks at the January 28, 2026 hearing on the VA's Restructure for Impact and Sustainability Effort.
- Author
- U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
- Published
- Accessed
Original video
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on restructuring the Veterans Health Administration, January 28, 2026 (hearing video)
Sen. Maggie Hassan questions VA officials about position eliminations and hiring caps at the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing of January 28, 2026.
Excerpts from 1:21:42 to 1:22:51 and 1:24:13 to 1:26:13 of the committee's archived hearing video, joined with a one-second black gap. DI added its logo in the corner.
Video: U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Public domain (U.S. government work) (opens in a new tab)
Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: Sen. Maggie Hassan's questions on position eliminations and hiring caps, about 1:21:42 to 1:22:51 and 1:24:13 to 1:26:13 on the archived video timeline)
About this source
Archived video of the committee's January 28, 2026 hearing on the VA's restructuring of the Veterans Health Administration. Sen. Maggie Hassan asks about reported plans to eliminate up to 35,000 mostly vacant positions and about caps on the number of employees each regional network can hire, and VA officials Mark Engelbaum and Gregory Goins answer.
- Author
- U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
- Published
- Accessed
Original video
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on restructuring the Veterans Health Administration, January 28, 2026 (hearing video)
Sen. Tommy Tuberville asks about VHA staff growth, and Gregory Goins, the VHA's acting chief operating officer, answers at the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing of January 28, 2026.
Excerpts from 59:31 to 1:00:27 and 1:01:51 to 1:03:39 of the committee's archived hearing video, joined with a one-second black gap. DI added its logo in the corner.
Video: U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Public domain (U.S. government work) (opens in a new tab)
Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: Sen. Tommy Tuberville's question, about 0:59:31 to 1:00:27, and Gregory Goins's answer, about 1:01:51 to 1:03:39 on the archived video timeline)
About this source
Archived video of the committee's January 28, 2026 hearing, Building a 21st Century VA Health Care System: Assessing Efforts to Restructure the Veterans Health Administration. Sen. Tommy Tuberville shows a chart of VHA staff growth against patient encounters and asks whether the VA is rebalancing after overhiring. Gregory Goins, the VHA's acting chief operating officer, answers that the VA has not tied staffing to workload and that 14 percent staff growth against 6 percent workload growth is unsustainable.
- Author
- U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Washington Examiner: Lawmakers press Collins on VA overhaul, staffing cuts and risks to veteran care
Relevant passage: Article text
About this source
Washington Examiner report on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing of January 28, 2026 on the VA's plan to consolidate its 18 regional networks into five. It summarizes questions from senators of both parties, including Maggie Hassan's objections to hiring caps and Tommy Tuberville's defense of the VA's rebalancing of staff.
- Author
- Samantha-Jo Roth
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Government Executive: VA's reorganization, staffing caps a result of previous overhiring, officials say
Relevant passage: Article text
About this source
Government Executive report on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing of January 28, 2026 with Secretary Doug Collins and other VA officials. It quotes acting VHA chief operating officer Gregory Goins and Sen. Maggie Hassan from the hearing, and Chairman Jerry Moran from remarks after it, on the reorganization and new facility staffing caps.
- Author
- Eric Katz
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
DAV statement on VHA reorganization
Relevant passage: Statement text
About this source
Statement posted December 17, 2025 by Coleman Nee, then national commander of Disabled American Veterans, responding to the VA's announced reorganization of the Veterans Health Administration.
- Author
- Coleman Nee, DAV national commander
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Mission Roll Call statement on VA's Veterans Health Administration reorganization
Relevant passage: Statement text
About this source
Statement posted December 17, 2025 by Mission Roll Call, a veterans advocacy group, on the VA's announced reorganization of the Veterans Health Administration. It cites the group's 2025 veteran surveys and urges the VA and Congress to carry out the reorganization transparently.
- Author
- Mission Roll Call
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
House Veterans' Affairs Committee release: Chairman Bost statement on VHA reorganization plan
Relevant passage: Statement text
About this source
Statement from Rep. Mike Bost, chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, issued December 15, 2025 after Secretary Doug Collins announced plans to restructure parts of the Veterans Health Administration.
- Author
- House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
- Published
- Accessed
Share or embed this case
The embed keeps its attribution link to The Dispute Index. Credit the image to The Dispute Index and link to the case page.
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- VA consolidates its health care networks from 18 to five and caps staffing; Collins says it cuts bureaucracy, and critics say the caps strain veterans' care
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/va-health-administration-reorganization-staffing-caps
The Dispute Index. "VA consolidates its health care networks from 18 to five and caps staffing; Collins says it cuts bureaucracy, and critics say the caps strain veterans' care". First published: 2026-11-13. Last updated: 2026-11-13. https://disputeindex.com/cases/va-health-administration-reorganization-staffing-caps