There has been some good testimony on telehealth. In Alaska, we use it a great deal...

If I can, Dr. Jesse, let me add follow-up questions in regards to telemedicine, but also on utilization by other facilities that are non-VA regarding the contracts that you are trying to work out.

It is very important, obviously, to many of our States here, but very much so to Alaska, which is very, very rural in a lot of ways and access issues are a huge problem.

We have to continue to get that. We can't even make some decisions with our committee because we don't know where they are, what disease entity they might have, and what services should be placed in those areas.

I believe in these kind of Committee meetings we can make all kinds of speeches or we can get some work done and I would like to get work done.

There was a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed way back in February 2003 between the VA, HHS, and IHS that said they would collaborate together on how to provide better access and how to develop better processes and systems of…

This is one thing that we have: for a huge opportunity for medical facilities, and Indian Health Care Service is a great example.

Do you think elevating that to a higher level will get some more recognition of the data that needs to be collected...

Again, this is very parochial, but can you give me any update on the Juneau facility?

Ultimately, it is simply the ability for a highly rural veteran to receive quality care closer to home and it is a matter entirely within Congress's power to address!

If you can do it in Alaska, you can do it anywhere.

Thank you very much, General.

Let me hold you there, then, and I will probably have some questions for you.

I know it is a concern for Senator Murray.

We also did a MOU in 2007 working with the VA to prepare for the returning 100 soldiers that were coming out of rural Alaska, 26 villages.

We see these as very important issues and are trying to deal with them.

The more defined data you can provide, the better off.

if there is a kind of freeze-frame and it gets altered in the sense of a new idea of how to improve rural health care, does the consortium have the capacity in the areas from the small villages on up to meet probably what you might…

Our doors in Alaska are open to anyone, regardless of race or whoever they are.

We have one of the highest percent per capita, so we have a huge demand for veterans' services in Alaska.

I do have--I want to restate some of the questions we talked about.

Will you do everything possible to make sure that whatever rules, regulations, procedures--everything you do will ensure the safety of traveler as well as the highest quality of workers in TSA?

People don't go into these jobs and say, 'Geez, you know, if the union doesn't do this, I'm not going to keep the public safe.'

I will stack the police department that I had against any public safety team in this country.

Their number-one goal is to keep the public safe.