Ann Kirkpatrick

I want to ask a question about the tissue bar coding, Mr. Wilton.

Thank you for your testimony today, and we want to, you know, help to solve this problem and get these construction projects completed so they can serve our veterans.

We in Congress should never assume we have all the answers.

These hearings enable us to gather the viewpoints of the Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans groups, and those with specific expertise regarding the matters under consideration.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman for holding this hearing.

So that could be just within the last week of their being in active duty, right? That is my concern.

Is there contact a year out or eight months out?

What I really want to know are they present on the military bases and do they make contact with active duty service members?

Additionally, proper tracking of surgical implants is a problem that has been unresolved for far too long and it must be remedied post haste.

It is way past time for VA to develop national policies that set forth the parameters for vendor access to treatment facilities and that implement sufficient oversight controls.

VA must continue to implement reforms so that medical centers procure surgical implants that meet patient needs while also ensuring best value.

I just hope that you will keep that in the forefront of your minds as you go through the development of the policy.

Let me just say I applaud your efforts in my district.

I appreciate your efforts in crafting a national policy. But I just want to remind you that my district in Arizona is a huge rural district.

A lack of consequences, good policies, but a lack of consequence if the policy is breached.

I think the concern of this committee is always what is the consequence of violating a policy of the VA?

I think we should look at what is working within the VA system.

You know, and my interest is not, you know, again, it is making sure we have got the best patient care possible for our veterans.

And maybe the procurement process, making sure that those contracts have some clause in there that if a rep actually touches the patient their contract is terminated.

Because doctors, as you stated and Dr. Benishek as well, we want our physicians to have the tools that they are comfortable with because ultimately our goal is the best patient care possible for our veterans.

However, Mr. Chairman and the committee, if it is the consensus of the committee that we need a new policy I think we need to be very careful that we protect that local control.

Okay, that is very disturbing. Can you tell us what vendor that was?

So the nurse actually, the clinician actually performed the procedure, not the rep?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Williamson, you probably do not know, but the committee knows, that I have over 20 years experience in a hospital and I am really interested in hearing from our physician members of the committee about this.

Spending taxpayer dollars wisely is essential but providing the healthcare that veterans have earned and deserve is critical.