Sam Farr

Are I.T. standards worked out so that the I.T. standards in veterans is compatible with I.T. standards in Medicare and Social Security?

Well, keep pushing, because it isn't going to happen without you.

I just visited your cemetery in Manila. I was just overwhelmed.

What problem is 50-50? That is pretty good.

Well, the president is arguing a new era of transparency. Maybe we will have that go down to COLA analysis.

The problem is--the military has been very straightforward about this and the Department of Defense, Secretary of Defense has been very straightforward that they need this capacity built up.

No matter what the merits are to this project, you can't get over the 70-mile rule.

Unfortunately, there are just fewer and fewer foreign military officers because of lack of financial resources, not because of lack of interest in the program.

I would just like to have you tell us the importance of meeting this critical, unmet health care need.

We believe so strongly in the quality of life and talk about it in this committee.

Thank you. That is the first time I have had that explanation. I appreciate it.

The Interior Department doesn't run any cemeteries?

When the service pulls out, it is the responsibility of the local government to create a reuse plan, not the Navy to tell the locals how to use it.

I am trying to solve Mr. Bishop's problem.

In the comprehensive strategy that you are urging, is there another modality, another disease where we do have that comprehensive strategy?

We are not keeping track of the unmet needs of veterans.

Well, part of it was that the DoD had failed to collect payment for over the last 2 years from military contractors for the emergency and primary health care.

So you are suggesting it needs to be modernized to essentially IT is really part of everything and not just a separate standalone.

I am really keen on jointness, because essentially--and I am working on how we can work with you on this.

I would really encourage you, Mr. Secretary and staff, to look at this 75-mile policy. It has been in concrete for so long, and it is a dumb, dumb policy.

It seems to me that, as part of the whole stimulus effort we want to create jobs.

I thought it was going to be used as an air base, but it is a housing base. And it is very difficult but I share their concerns.

My base closed 18 years ago. It still is not cleaned up.

We need to plus up our education, the relevancy of education, and the training to go with it.

I want to thank Chairman Edwards for his leadership and for holding this hearing.