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Secretary Collins highlights efficiency improvements, suicide prevention and upcoming alternative therapies for veterans during his presentation at �鶹��ƵAV’s national convention.

VA Secretary Doug Collins highlighted improvements he’s led, referenced Be the One suicide prevention and referenced a move toward more alternative therapies for veterans during his presentation Sept. 1 at �鶹��ƵAV’s national convention in Louisville, Ky.

“Curiosity has its own reason for existence,” Collins said, referencing part of a famous quote from Albert Einstein.

The secretary referenced the wonderment of his young grandson when talking about the quote and how it applied to starting his position at the VA.

“What Einstein was basically trying to say was curiosity is not a bad thing,” he said. “When I walked into the VA last year, curiosity was the one thing I had. I want to ask questions. When I came to the VA after serving eight years in Congress and hearing all the stuff about the VA, I was curious as why the VA was like it was. Why was it that every time I heard something about the VA, it was typically not in a positive sense for the most part? What Einstein was talking about was curiosity as a part of who we are. It’s got to be a part of every organization. It’s got to be a part of �鶹��ƵAV.”

Collins touched on Be the One, �鶹��ƵAV’s mission to reduce the rate of veteran suicide. He noted that 60% of veterans lost to suicide have not had contact with the VA.

The department needs to reach more veterans, Collins said.

“We have redone every way we reach out to veterans across this country,” he said. “We’ve tried everything. We’re going to have to do it and you’re going to have to help me. I need you to be my messengers. I need you to be my comrades, my brothers and sisters of the Legion, to go out and take the message that the VA is not the same VA that it used to be. The VA is changing to make sure we’re taking care of veterans and putting veterans first in everything we do. We’ve added over 250,000 new veterans this year alone. We’re not turning people away.”

Collins, who earlier this year officially retired from the Air Force after 25 years, is a member of Post 7 in Gainesville, Ga. Collins tapped into his curiosity to learn the truth about VA claims. He assuaged concerns by calling out those on social media who complain about veterans benefits.

“Maybe we need to start changing the way we think about VA disability and actually call it compensation for what happened to you while you served this country,” he said. “It’s not a disability. It’s simply saying we owe you for what you gave to us.”

Collins summarized some ways that he believes the department is more efficient now than when he took over, saying, “the VA is changing in ways that make life for veterans better and we’re doing that all the time.” Some examples:

•&�Բ�����;Community care visits up 16%: “We are living up to the Mission Act because you know why? It is the law. It is to give veterans the help that they need in the best and the quickest possible way. We’ve had 3.6 million community care visits just this last year and we’re moving forward every day.”

• Streamlining staff: Collins explained he directed the creation of a manning document to better align VA positions.

• Disability backlog: Collins said when he took office the claims backlog was at 145 days, and now it is 75 days.

Looking ahead, Collins talked about adding more clinical trials for MBMA, psilocybin, ketamine and other psychedelic treatments for mental health conditions affecting veterans. 

“The one that is out that many of you hear about is Ibogaine,” he said. “Ibogaine is being done with the FDA. We are actually making the protocol. So as soon as that is legal in the United States for us to do, we will be having trials set up, ready to go so that veterans can get any treatment that they need.”

Collins spoke after a brief recorded video greeting from President Trump to the convention.

“You represent the very best of America: courage, sacrifice and unwavering love of our country,” Trump said. “To every veteran, thank you for answering the call of duty, defending our freedoms and making your country very proud. We are proud of you.”