Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins is on a tear. And I’m all for it.Earlier this month, Collins participated in a town hall with Sen. Ashley Moody at American Legion Post 138 in Tampa. He shared why and how he wants to take a new approach to providing care to our nation’s warriors.“If it takes 10 pieces of paper to get somebody health care, I want to know how we can do it in five pieces of paper,” Collins said.Recently, he made an important point about how the VA has been on the Government Accountability Office’s high-risk list since 2015 and it remains there today. It’s no secret that the VA has long-standing struggles to deliver high-quality, efficient care to our nation’s warriors — a problem that, unfortunately, persists despite numerous reform efforts.As a veteran and as someone who has dedicated almost half my life to fighting for fellow service members, we must confront this issue head-on with both urgency and clarity. The VA’s continued presence on the high-risk list is not just a bureaucratic matter — it reflects the real, human consequences our veterans face when they seek the care and services they’ve earned through their service to our country.The GAO designates agencies as “high-risk” because they are vulnerable to waste, fraud, abuse or mismanagement and their operations are often plagued by inefficiency or failure to meet objectives. The VA has seen its share of these challenges over the years, from the 2014 scandal over secret waitlists at VA hospitals to widespread concerns about the quality of care and delays in services.But let me be clear. This isn’t just about bureaucratic inefficiencies. It’s about the veterans themselves — the men and women who served our country and now face a health care system that often frustrates rather than helps them. While there are incredible, dedicated individuals within the VA who work tirelessly to provide the best care possible, the system in which they operate often works against them. The red tape, outdated procedures and fragmented infrastructure prevent those who truly want to help from doing their jobs efficiently.Veterans too often find themselves stuck in the maze of paperwork, waiting lists and impersonal processes fighting for their own care amidst unnecessary delays and confusion. It’s not that the people within the VA aren’t doing their best — they are. But the system is broken, which we can no longer ignore.Collins’ recent statement highlights the necessary and undeniable truth that the status quo cannot continue. For too long, we’ve attempted piecemeal fixes when what is required is comprehensive, bold reform. Our nation’s heroes cannot afford to wait any longer. While many dedicated staff within the VA work tirelessly to support our veterans, the systemic flaws within the organization undermine their efforts and prevent meaningful improvements.We need reforms that address both the administrative challenges and the fundamental culture within the VA. For starters, the agency must embrace a new approach to technology and data management. The VA’s electronic health record system has been fraught with problems that lead to delays and poor care coordination . Modernizing these systems is not just a matter of efficiency — it is a matter of life and death for many veterans.Additionally, leadership at all levels of the VA must undergo a cultural shift. The department must prioritize a veteran-centered approach that focuses on proactive care, not just reactive treatment. Veterans should not have to navigate a maze of bureaucracy to receive their benefits or health care; they should feel empowered by a system that understands their needs and provides tailored, compassionate support.The American people owe a tremendous debt to our veterans. They put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms, and in return, they should have access to the absolute best health care system, a system that works for them — not against them. Yet, too many of our veterans continue to face delays in care, inadequate mental health services and a lack of continuity in their treatment. These are issues that impact not only their physical health but also their mental and emotional well-being.As we reflect on the Government Accountability Office’s continued ranking of the VA as high-risk, we must ask, “How many more veterans must fall through the cracks before we act? How many more lives must be affected by a system that has shown itself to be ineffective, inefficient and at times neglectful?”Reforming the VA is no small task. It requires bold leadership, a commitment to systemic change, and, most importantly, a dedication to the well-being of those who have served our country. Collins’ acknowledgment of the challenges facing the VA is a step in the right direction, but it must be accompanied by meaningful action. This means pushing for more resources, better leadership and enhanced training for VA staff. It also means holding the VA accountable for results, ensuring that every dollar spent translates into better care for our veterans.While the VA is home to some of the most dedicated and compassionate people I’ve worked alongside, the system itself needs an overhaul. The red tape must be cut, the bureaucracy streamlined and the focus must shift to creating a smoother, faster and more effective experience for veterans who need care. The veterans who rely on this system deserve more than a slow, fragmented process — they deserve a responsive healthcare system that truly works for them. Damon Friedman is an ambassador for the Florida Veterans Foundation, a non-profit arm of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. He is also the chairman of the Veterans Service Alliance and the founder of SOF Missions .