The workforce problems, as you can imagine, were front and center.

Eisenhower retook Europe in 11 months.

Let's get on with it.

Well, my experience has been that the Vet Centers in Maine are a high return, low cost service very cost-effective way of serving the needs, meeting the needs of veterans.

I would urge you to take a serious look at that. And we have had testimony at this Committee that this is one of the suicide factors.

Maine is the oldest state in the nation by median age.

I want to thank Congressman Mann for bringing this bill forward.

Modernizing the Dry Dock No. 1 is absolutely essential to maintaining fleet readiness.

The VA raised its per diem rates in 2023 but, frankly, that increase has not kept pace with rising medical costs.

Maine has one of the highest percentages based on population in the country of veterans.

The cheapest health intervention is the one that doesn't happen.

If we don't have the people to staff them, it ain't gonna work.

I don't think there's one in Washington County either.

Well, I think that's--that's something that you're going to have to be thinking about because it ties back to the workforce problem.

The cheapest health intervention is the one that doesn't happen.

Well, it seems to me that's an area that we should be talking about in Washington.

What can we do to expand and support home health services which I think everybody, including veterans, would prefer and really ramp that up.

I urge this committee to focus on the impact that Medicare and Medicaid payment policy is having on veterans' access to post-acute care services.