A NEW ERA FOR VETERAN HEALTHCARE EMERGES: TRUMP PICKS DOUG COLLINS AS VA SECRETARY
President-elect Donald Trump is choosing former Georgia Representative Doug Collins to lead the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This isn’t exactly the most shocking pick as Donald Trump and Doug Collins have been fierce political allies for years, sharing common views that lean conservative. Here’s a closer look at our nation’s soon-to-be Secretary of Veterans Affairs, his relationship with Trump, his military service, and what Veterans should look out for involving the future of their healthcare.
Trump Picks Doug Collins as Head of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Doug Collins is set to be the Secretary of Veterans Affairs when Trump takes office in 2025.
A noted politician, Collins is also a Chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and understands the VA healthcare system from first-hand experience.
Collins has defended Trump through thick and thin, including the impeachment hearings he faced. Through time, he has grown to be one of the 47th President’s close advisers.
Because Collins will lead the VA, it’s believed that he won’t run for U.S. Senate or Governor in 2026, which is when both positions will come back up for re-election.
Collins & Trump are Political Allies
Some may point to the fact that Doug Collins has worked with Democrats to get things done, an admirable quality indeed, but the fact remains, that he’s far more right-wing than not.
This is why he makes a great pick for Trump, even if some are calling it a safe one—Trump is looking for people who will agree with his policies and actions, in Collins, he’s found that.
Even after never receiving an endorsement from Trump during his own political run, Collins has remained a rising name in the GOP and loyal to the former and future President.
Furthermore, after Collins finished third in his primary election and Trump lost the state of Georgia in 2020, both came out to make statements accusing the state of fraudulent election practices.
Unpacking His Military Service Record
Doug Collins is a Navy Veteran who served his country as a Chaplain for two years in the 1980s; however, he is also currently a part of the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command after joining in 2002, following the attack on 9/11.
Collins was deployed to Iraq when he went to the Balad Air Base as a part of the 94th Airlift Wing for five months, providing spiritual guidance to Soldiers thrown into the hell on Earth war can present.
How Doug Collins May Affect Veteran Healthcare
As the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Doug Collins has plenty of experience in the military community and politics to understand how to get the job done.
However, his lack of medical expertise and conservative views could pose a threat to some of the Veterans who have served our nation.
For example, Collins strongly opposes abortion, which could mean individuals, including those dealing with rape or health complications, might not have access to the care they need.
Additionally, Collins has taken a variety of conservative stances against the LGBT+ community, including expanding legislation that would include sexual orientation as a protected status.
Overall, this could give us an insight into how he might feel about the healthcare the LGBT Veteran community might require.
It’s hard to say for sure what will happen but considering his conservative views, the VA should expect cuts. Some Veterans will need to pay attention to the healthcare services available to them in 2025 and beyond.
Forget how you vote or what you want to see done in this country and the goal should be clear.
Regardless of what Doug Collins wishes to do, his best course of action is to honor the heroes who have defended our nation and earned access to VA healthcare because of their service.
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