Ann Kirkpatrick

I know there has been a big increase in telemedicine, and a lot of the veterans I have talked to like that.

I have a question for each one of you. I want to hear from each one of you.

Whether it is a delay in care, a denial of care, or care is just not available, frustration with the system may lead to the veteran foregoing needed care altogether, which is unacceptable and can lead to crisis.

The VA health care system must be able to provide timely, high-quality care.

Their needs need to be sustained and they need quality care for the rest of their lives.

You have made history. You have helped the committee, given us some direction in how to move forward.

Just one quick question.

I, along with the subcommittee, continue to hear stories of many struggles veterans face when trying to access VA mental health and TBI services.

Delayed care is denied care.

It is our job to fight for those who have served.

I just want to express my concern about that, having managed major building projects, and knowing how important that line of communication is.

Mr. Davia on fast-tracking, whether or not the VA or the Army Corps has that capability, I don't really know.

Everyone here wants this to be completed, because it is really about providing services for our veterans.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning and thank you all for being here today in support of this very important issue.

Unlike most federal agencies, the Department of Veterans Affairs touches each congressional district in a unique way - we all represent veteran communities.

Thank you and your staff for meeting with me, listening to my constituents and funding really critical projects in my district.

As our servicemembers and their family reintegrate back into communities we have the opportunity and the duty to guarantee the success for our greatest generation.

I want those troops to know that we have a bright future waiting for them.

Those are worries we need to remove. We have to remove those.

We have responsibility to ensure their security when they return.

When our veterans return from active service the last thing they should have to fear is unemployment.

I am concerned about that. I just was trying to bring it into a larger context, but thank you for your testimony.

Okay. And that is something that we are able to be successful with this legislation that I would like to work with you on because we are having joint meetings between the top positions at the VA with the top positions at the Department of…

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I join the Chairman in thanking you, Ms. Zumatto and Mr. Binns for your attention and your work on behalf of the Gulf War veterans and keeping the attention focused on the illness.

My role was really to talk to military members who are soon transitioning into the VA, and what we could put in place for them while they are still in service to make that transition easier.