One of the reasons that CHOICE ultimately became MISSION, was enacted by Congress, signed by the President into law, was the lack of providers, adequate number of providers within the VA.

I have continued concerns about the capabilities and the support for community care.

There is not a consistent application of the MISSION Act across the country and even across the VISN that I live in.

It is a significant problem. I recognize that the proposal to have veterans schedule themselves seems like, to me, perhaps a common-sense solution.

Thank you, Chairman, as well as Senator Boozman, for introducing the VA CAREERS Act.

I have constituents reach out to the Federal Government, not just in our district but across the country, every single day.

I am in my continual mission of trying to utilize the MISSION Act in a way that it was intended.

There can be no delay in the contact between a provider and the veteran.

I do not want to do anything that undercuts the importance of the VA healthcare delivery system in-house.

I still am looking for the way to make sure that those who have a better option have no impediments toward getting that care.

Today I honor a longtime friend and Kansan with a true servant's heart, Treatha Brown-Foster. One minute is not nearly enough time to adequately share all the impressive contributions Treatha has made to Wichita and Kansas. She was a…

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.

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.

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.

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 am often told, here is the policy. Senator Moran, we have got the policy that you want. But that is not close to what----

who loses? The veteran.

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