I think that's something we have to figure out how to waive or something.

The good is we have a historically low unemployment rate, but that creates the question of the migratory workforce.

And my problem with the regulation is it's the best being the enemy of the good because if the result is closed nursing homes and fewer beds, we haven't gained anything.

It seems to me to start with your testimony, as I mentioned, the problem that you had with the VA wasn't with the programs or the adequacy, it was the time, and I'm delighted my office could help, but it shouldn't take that step to get…

It would help if we had a budget, not a continuing resolution.

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

I'm sorry nobody said we're not gonna return these phone calls, it just didn't happen.

Your costs didn't go down? Your cost didn't go down----

Will that access information include information about VA availabilities?

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

If retention is the goal, one of the ironies is that as you have gaps and you have longer hours and--that is a vicious downward spiral because people burn out.

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.

What should we be attending to in the next round of VA and veterans' legislation?

These are the private nursing homes that are contracted for by the VA?

I believe that we have leaders there that want to help us, they care.

We need a sustainable system of care. And if we want that sustainable system of care, we have to fund it. Our veterans deserve it.

So it's a vicious circle. The workload goes up, the staff burns out and leaves, and then you've got another gap.

I want to publicly thank the chair and co-chair of the committee, Jon Tester of Montana and Jerry Moran of Kansas.