Mike Coffman

VA's four largest medical center construction projects have had an average of cost increase of $366 million.

VA must pay its bills on time.

VA is getting the message that its construction program is dysfunctional.

The process VA employs to build its health care facilities is abysmal.

Providing veterans medical care is a core function of the VA.

VA's security posture was never at risk.

I think what is important that Mr. Cooper said is the need for flexibility.

I hope you continue the practice of keeping our wounded warriors on Active Duty for their rehabilitation.

Well, thank you so much, Mr. Huebner, thank you so much for all you do with the USOC and for veterans in the paralympic program.

The bill requires you to do an informational program.

Okay. I understand you are going to supply some additional written materials to the Committee on that.

This legislation will build on an existing yet little known and underutilized on-the-job training program.

I am proud to lead the effort to extend and support this important program.

I can't express my concern enough for this extraordinary backlog in VA claims and it is simply not fair to those who have served this country.

Now, it is 2013, and we are having this discussion?

Well, yeah, I think you have via the internal documents here, and you are actually fairly specific.

My concern is that VA has or will clear this backlog by simply administratively closing appointments.

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 problem so that together we can identify ways…

You came in, obviously, the system was in chaos and not serving the veterans' community. You have been there, you haven't made a difference.

I have had, again, multiple unanswered questions, basic budget data in reference to travels and activities by your employees that your agency has refused to provide information.

Mr. Schoenhard, according to VA documentation, in many instances, veterans were harmed or died due to delays in getting treatment. How many adverse events nationwide is VA aware of due to these delays?

I am still unclear on how we are talking about hundreds of thousands of backlog appointments. I mean, what are you going to do today to get that, to take care of this?

The experience these veterans have faced are inexcusable and should not have to happen to our Nation's finest.

However, none of this excuses VA from its obligation to veterans.

We should always be working to ensure veterans have timely access to quality care.