Veterans Affairs leaders this week touted $2 billion in savings for department efforts from canceled government contracts they insist were not providing real benefits to veterans, but critics are warning the efforts could seriously jeopardize some health and benefits services.

VA officials declined a request to release the full list of contracts canceled, which Collins appeared to be holding in his video message. If accurate, the $2 billion in savings would represent about 0.5% of the entire VA budget for fiscal 2025.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins announced Tuesday that his department saved nearly $2 billion by ending contracts he deemed no longer necessary. The announcement came as roughly 1,000 employees were laid off from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Records show the 875 contracts at issue included support for medical and burial services, cancer programs, and efforts to recruit doctors for critical vacancies.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on Wednesday paused an effort to terminate hundreds of contracts after pressure from Democrat lawmakers, according to Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee