"Thank you, Chairman Benishek, Ranking Member Brownley, for holding this series of hearings centered on VA's proposal to consolidate community care."
"we need to look at the cracks that the Choice Act has left behind or the cracks within the Choice Act because these are the cracks that our veterans are falling through."
"Urgent care was a result of a failed primary care system where people weren't able to access their primary care so they needed a quick in and out type of thing."
"$50 co-pay for urgent care, $100 in co-pay for the emergency department is completely a barrier that will continue the burden of illness and disease that they already have."
"It is very important that we do this in a bipartisan way, and it is very important that the people see that in order to be an example of what we can do together when we eliminate the hyper-partisanshi..."
"Our veterans sacrifice so much for this country. They are the men and women who left their homes, families, and careers to defend our American values."
"We must not overlook the well of expertise we have right here in this room, right here in our home and in our communities."
"We are all very proud of you."
"There are a lot of veterans out there that don't know these services exist."
"I have an idea I wanted to test with you in terms of the need for more affordable housing."
"simplifying and improving the process for veteran seeking community care remains at the top of my priority list"
"I was appalled to learn of the inspector general's report that concluded Ms. Rubens and Ms. Graves inappropriately used their positions of authority for personal and financial gain."