Ann Kirkpatrick

I support their efforts on that as well.

The majority of the backlog is over two years. We have even heard reports of veterans who passed away while waiting for their claims to be processed.

This Subcommittee asked VA for updates on these consultation backlogs beginning in October 2012.

Ms. Draper, how confident are you that the Veterans Health Administration will be able to effectively make improvements in the reliability of the reported medical appointment wait times, scheduling oversight and initiatives to improve…

Clearly, that should not happen. I think we all agree with that.

What do you believe is the number one challenge VHA faces as they move forward to making improvements and moving the scheduling process into the 21st Century?

This goes to reinforce that the Veterans' Affairs Committee wants to work with the Department on this and other issues, but that requires a willingness on VA's side to be forthcoming about its problems.

While I understand a system may not always be perfect, it does not mean that VA shouldn't make every effort to ensure veterans receive necessary care.

How confident are you that the Veterans Health Administration will be able to effectively make improvements in the reliability of the reported medical appointment wait times?

Veterans deserve timely accessible health care. They have earned it.

Improving access to health care is a continuous effort by VHA, and it is not surprising that we are here today.

Dr. Davey, in your testimony you state that the VA is now in the process of developing additional innovative training resources, such as mobile devices and Internet applications.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The War Related Illness and Injury Study Centers, or WRIISCs seem to be popular among the Gulf War veterans and receive high marks.

Because we know that the deployment experience of our veterans is especially important in the world of research, and the care and treatment of injuries and illnesses, I want to thank you for holding this hearing on Gulf War veterans and…

We must recognize and be prepared to address the consequences of that service and bring to bear our best efforts to ensure that they are thoroughly prepared to serve.

Veterans from the 1991 Gulf War have struggled for more than two decades to dispel the all-too-often accusation that 'it is all in your head.'

It is estimated that up to 35 percent of veterans who have served in the Gulf War suffer from symptoms that are not readily identifiable or well understood.

Our budget should be a serious investment in our Nation's ability to compete well into the 21st century.

I will not support turning Medicare into a voucher program because I do not think it is fair to ask a senior in District 1 to choose between medicine and food so we can continue to provide tax breaks for big oil.

I do not support raising the retirement age for Social Security recipients because I do not feel it is fair to ask the construction worker... to work 2 more hours in the blazing sun so we can protect tax breaks for billionaires.

Congress must continue to support the FAA's NextGen implementation that is at the heart of modernizing our air traffic control system.

We should make investments in infrastructure and energy efficiency by continuing incentives for utilizing green building practices.

I am asking this committee to properly fund IHS because the health care for Native Americans is not optional. It is essential.

I am asking this committee to properly fund Impact Aid because every child deserves a quality education no matter where he or she lives.