On this week's Eye on Veterans podcast, Connecting Vets reporter Julia LeDoux had a deep discussion with Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, and we asked the questions many veterans have today.
Sec. Collins shared his goals of lowering benefit claims processing times, simplifying the system, and revealed plans to overhaul the application.
We also got a rare look at his military background as an Air Force Reserve Colonel, Chaplain, and deployment to Iraq. He shared memories of a Thanksgiving while stationed at Balad Air Base, Iraq, and how that experience and his faith guide the VA's work today.
We continued into topics like veteran mental health, what's being done to lower veteran suicides, and the connection between mental health and the medications so many veterans are prescribed. We asked further about his position on alternative treatments like psychedelics and cannabis.
We also sought an explanation for why the Senate recently blocked passage of The Maj. Richard Star Act, which defends veterans' ability to receive both retirement and disability benefits.
And we learned who he's (always) rooting for in college football!
Find your VA benefits and resources for all veterans here.
Contact Phil Briggs, the host of CBS Eye on Veterans at phil@connectingvets.com.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.