Mike Coffman

I just cannot believe that that does not happen either.

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.

Clearly, national guidance and oversight is necessary to protect veterans who undergo surgical implant procedures.

This hearing examines serious problems with the tracking and handling of surgical implants within the VA.

So Mr. Matkovsky, let me refer back to you again, to explain to me why you went with FedBid? It does not make sense.

Did anyone ever bother to validate reverse auctions when they were introduced to VA?

Why does VHA not take advantage of reverse auctions conducted by VA, like those of the technology acquisition center?

It seems to me maybe under the narrowest of circumstances the reverse auction process would work.

I am not convinced that VA has taken the appropriate steps to correct these problems and I believe it is apparent that the veterans served at Jackson have borne the brunt of these inadequacies.

Within 30 days I expect VA to provide this subcommittee with a detailed written account on what has been done to fix the many problems addressed today that continue to occur at Jackson VA.

I want to know on behalf of the veterans of Mississippi, Mr. Battle, what are you doing to personally fix these issues?

Veterans are literally dying at the Jackson VA because the VA cannot fix their problems.

If you cannot get the simple matters right it strikes utter fear in me when I hear the horror stories described earlier.

I am appalled because our veterans deserve better.

Can I go back to the question, please?

Thank you, Ms. Lewis-Payton. Since the death of Johnny Lee in April, 2011, what efforts have been taken to improve supervision and personnel shortages to stop further preventable deaths?

The culture of the VA has just gotten abysmal I am sad to say.

I think that after this hearing, I am convinced that there are other areas that they ought to be subject to state regulation too.

There was a financial incentive built in; was there not?

Although the VA has made some progress recently, the pace is still too slow for many of our veterans waiting for their claims to be processed. As a Marine Corps combat veteran, I am proud to join my colleagues on the House Veterans'…

Mr. Hale, I think as Under Secretary for the Department of Defense, you have really compromised your responsibilities.

I believe the guidance issued by Comptroller Hale was based on a deliberate decision by the Department of Defense to misinterpret the Pay Our Military Act for political purposes.

The broad bipartisan consensus behind this bill exemplifies the deep respect the American people have for our military.

I introduced H.R. 3210, the Pay Our Military Act, which I introduced in response to a possible shutdown of the Federal Government.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Waxman just got up and eloquently spoke about the need to keep these insurance reforms in place, particularly about preexisting conditions. I would encourage him to read the bill--and it does that…