Mark Takano

We are identifying a desire for a single point of contact.

It is vital that when a survivor interacts with the VA, they are treated with kindness, compassion, and patience.

The loss of a loved one has been associated with depression, anxiety, substance use, and prolonged grief reactions.

What I am hearing from survivors is that they would like a one-stop shop.

I do not want to leave you with the impression that I am satisfied.

The public does not understand that.

I do feel it is inadequate.

We also saw a lack of awareness of who and where the survivors community are.

Historically, there has been a lack of resources dedicated to the mission of serving survivors.

Thank you, Chairman Bost, for holding this very important hearing.

I wish that my Republican colleagues were more focused on helping and empowering workers. I urge opposition to the joint resolution.

No. We have got to go vote. I appreciate the courtesy in letting me ask Dr. Holmes more questions.

I hope to talk to Representative Crane more about this idea.

I think that is a very valid concern.

We are here to listen to you and we take those concerns very seriously.

Especially with specialty care, being absent even in the private sector, I mean, it is clear to me that care in the community, it does not solve the problem of access to care in these rural communities.

Rural veterans and their families have long had to navigate the altogether different healthcare experience than their suburban and urban counterparts.

The degree of closures of critical access hospitals and other healthcare infrastructure in rural areas is highly concerning.

We do have a need to increase the specialty physicians. We need to really get serious about that.

Would you agree that Congress has given the department a range of tools, a lot of tools, a lot of authorities to be able to recruit and retain employees?

Mental health is a major focus of our hiring efforts.

Veterans cannot always rely on the community to be there but they should be able to rely on VA.

The need for a robust VA presence in rural America remains.

Again, I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 3581, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I ask all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.