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Mike Levin: “Many of the VA staff I speak with are telling me about…”

Featuring: Mike Levin, Democratic | U.S. House California, 49th Congressional District

VA Sec Collins Grilled For 4 Hours by Congress — These 2 Moments Hit Hardest

Published May 21, 2026 | Video Starts at 05:14

This situation is not what you think it is. It is not the rosy picture that you think it is. It's not what you're presenting either. Mr. Secretary, at least acknowledge Many of the VA staff I speak with are telling me about understaffing, burnout, morale is not what you are saying. Many believe your restructuring is a predicate to privatization, including the people who led the last restructuring of initiative in the first place. (05:14–05:21)

CLAIM

Asserts that VA staff report understaffing, burnout, and low morale.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

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Mike Levin

“Last August, your own inspector general found that 90% of VA medical facilities reported severe shortages of doctors, and 80% reported…”
VA Sec Collins Grilled For 4 Hours by Congress — These 2 Moments Hit Hardest | Uploaded May 21, 2026 | 01:57-02:09
“Last year, 30,000 employees left VA through early retirement, deferred resignations or burnout.”
VA Sec Collins Grilled For 4 Hours by Congress — These 2 Moments Hit Hardest | Uploaded May 21, 2026 | 02:10-02:17
“VA eliminated 14,000 unfilled medical vacancies. 1500 physician openings, 4900 nursing openings.”
VA Sec Collins Grilled For 4 Hours by Congress — These 2 Moments Hit Hardest | Uploaded May 21, 2026 | 02:17-02:30
“A progressively growing number of VA frontline physicians are becoming very alarmed about current threats to veteran care.”
VA Sec Collins Grilled For 4 Hours by Congress — These 2 Moments Hit Hardest | Uploaded May 21, 2026 | 00:33-00:40
“73% of those positions were not Covid era leftovers. They were occupied positions during the past year.”
VA Sec Collins Grilled For 4 Hours by Congress — These 2 Moments Hit Hardest | Uploaded May 21, 2026 | 02:29-02:44
“Just one year ago, 90% of VA medical facilities had a severe shortage of doctors.”
VA Sec Collins Grilled For 4 Hours by Congress — These 2 Moments Hit Hardest | Uploaded May 21, 2026 | 03:17-03:22
“Since then, 30,000 employees have left VA.”
VA Sec Collins Grilled For 4 Hours by Congress — These 2 Moments Hit Hardest | Uploaded May 21, 2026 | 03:27-03:31
“Many believe your restructuring is a predicate to privatization.”
VA Sec Collins Grilled For 4 Hours by Congress — These 2 Moments Hit Hardest | Uploaded May 21, 2026 | 05:20-05:24
“Veterans I've spoken with want to know why there's not enough money for fully staffing VA health care.”
VA Sec Collins Grilled For 4 Hours by Congress — These 2 Moments Hit Hardest | Uploaded May 21, 2026 | 05:28-05:35