Mike Coffman

Are you disputing the factual nature of the OIG report in terms of the overpayment?

I am troubled by the numerous issues that were identified today, and I look forward to seeing improvement in these areas, both in Denver and across the country, to ensure veterans receive the best health care possible.

Having led the effort in the Congress to strip the VA of its construction management authority to ever build another hospital again and focus on really what your core competencies are, which is providing health care to our veterans and…

A drug so powerful that it requires monitoring after a patient receives it, a non-physician can prescribe such a drug in this case, leading to suicide?

I think the VA owes that report to the Congress and the American people. It is incredible. I mean, as a combat veteran and as a taxpayer, it is just offensive what occurred in my hometown of Aurora, Colorado.

There is a difference between believing and knowing.

I was just concerned that these rules are there for a purpose, and part of it is transparency, to make sure that there are no problems.

Last year, DEA informed the Denver VA of its concerns regarding employees with felony drug convictions handling drugs in the mailroom.

Do you think there ought to be a requirement?

We will be asking for all records related to this particular case.

Towards the end of his junior year at UCCS, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, in April of last year, he went to the Colorado Springs Lindstrom VA Clinic and told them he was having trouble sleeping, resulting in depression.

How does VA coordinate with relevant Federal and state law enforcement bodies on issues of pharmaceutical theft from the Department?

But from the VA standpoint, that is not grounds for firing?

What was the disciplinary action?

This is to all of you. Chairman Miller wrote a letter to Under Secretary Shulkin last month regarding a VA police report...

Thank you. Your written statement will be entered into the hearing record.

Good morning. This hearing will come to order.

In all cases of drug theft by VA employees, are all subject employees reported to their relevant state licensing board?

Thank you, Ranking Member Kuster.

Are non-physicians allowed to prescribe drugs?

What oversight is in place to ensure that providers are properly prescribing controlled substances?

That people with felony drug convictions shouldn't be working in a VA hospital dealing with these controlled substances?

So we have people with felony drug convictions dealing with drugs in your facility?

We will put in a formal request for that investigation.

Okay. Can I get a copy of that, then? Because if there wasn't one, there should have been one.