U.S. State Attorneys General

What I am still concerned by is: what financial cost can be anticipated for both the dependent and the military when these services are moved to commercial health plans for treatment outside of MTFs?

Did the commission evaluate the feasibility for implementing the robust frequency of financial literacy training you've recommended within the current training schedule of military units?

I do think that we need to have an honest discussion, a frank discussion on the revenue side of the picture.

So is sequestration going to negatively impact our ability to engage in these military-to-military programs?

I think Senator King also mentioned that we should be looking at the mandatory spending side of things.

If a country is going to cheat by devaluing its currency for the exclusive purpose of making its products look cheaper by keeping its currency value down, it obviously hurts American companies and American workers

The elephant in the room, which is basically congressional dysfunction and our inability to eliminate sequester.

I think, thirdly--and this gets to something that Dr. Mahnken said earlier--it is very important to articulate American values.

As chairman of the Democratic Caucus, I have been directed to report to the House that the Democratic Members have selected as minority whip the gentleman from Maryland, the Honorable Steny Hoyer, and as assistant Democratic leader, the…

As chairman of the Democratic Caucus, I have been directed to report to the House that the Democratic Members have selected as minority leader the gentlewoman from California, the Honorable Nancy Pelosi. ____________________

The President's plan lets us focus our limited resources on the border and on deporting felons, not hard-working families.

We need Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform which the American people overwhelmingly support.

Our Government is a democratic government and it is undergirded by a Constitution and the people have every right to believe that the Government is there to protect the general welfare.

People have a right to believe that they will be dealt with justly and fairly by the state.

The President said in his State of the Union, ``If you can't do something, I will do what I can under my executive authority under the Constitution.'' And so he did. Now, it is a matter of trying to make things work better and smarter…

We are expecting another speaker, but I reserve the balance of my time and let the gentleman from Texas proceed if he has another speaker.

So, do these prevention methods that you are utilizing, do they--are they working?

That is good to know, and these companies that are coming up with alternative treatments, is their testing being supported through tax credits and other incentives?

Earlier this year, Senator Kirk and I introduced the Viral Hepatitis Testing Act of 2014.

Despite the drug discount and the prioritization of patients, it is estimated that the VA will spend $1.3 billion over the next 2 years just on this Hepatitis C treatment.

Unfortunately, as has already been stated, the treatment options are very expensive--estimates range from around $80,000 to $100,000 for a course of treatment.

I think my series of questions has to do with whether the marketplace really can--is operating in a way that there is more competition for different kinds of treatments that are effective and much less costly.

So, if that is the case--either one of you can answer--what would be the incentive for the drug companies who are getting reimbursed by insurance for these $1,000 pills to be innovative and come up with less costly, effective drugs?

It is important to increase surveillance within the VA population to help prevent the spread of Hepatitis C.