I am seeking community care, but I cannot get the referral from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

I would tell you that, anecdotally, so many times I have--mostly what I know about what is going on in veterans' lives is the conversations I have with veterans.

I want--it is a goal of mine--to make sure there are no artificial, unnecessary impediments, or no bias against a veteran who chooses or needs care quickly...

I found very interesting because it allows us to get the veteran care where they are at.

I represent a State--a congressional district at the time that is the size of the State of Illinois. There is no VA hospital, and it is hours to drive for almost every veteran to a VA hospital.

And are there other reasons? Perhaps you are suggesting that a provider within the VA would be reluctant to make the referral because the lack of communication between----

I want to hear what you had to say, but I also thought of another issue.

for 10 years, we have been trying to figure out how we can get the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide health care in more locations by using community care.

who loses? The veteran.

What is the current capability?

I would tell you that, anecdotally, so many times I have--mostly what I know about what is going on in veterans' lives is the conversations I have with veterans.

for 10 years, we have been trying to figure out how we can get the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide health care in more locations by using community care.

There is no time to spare. And so a system that is designed to save lives and improve one's well-being...

I did not accept that. I said, let me try. Let me call. Let me do something.

What is the current capability?

That was not the answer I was soliciting, but I appreciate the fact that you took extra--greater willingness to go another step to make a difference.

That was not the answer I was soliciting, but I appreciate the fact that you took extra--greater willingness to go another step to make a difference.

My view is that CHOICE was implemented by the Department of Veterans Affairs in which it needed more, greater restrictions in our language to make sure that community care was actually provided.