Richard Blumenthal

This proposed rule is a disservice to everyone involved in the process.

We need to expedite the process, and to upgrade the fairness, consistency, and transparency, which means changing the process, not the rules.

The proposed rules that were issued on May 29, 2014--were unacceptable. Not just unacceptable as a matter of policy, but actually illegal, as contrary to law.

We need to be careful as to what we do to the process, as well as what we may do to the rules.

I'd invite any of the other members of the panel to comment.

And are people secure in the confidentiality and anonymity of the service that's provided?

Thank you for your question. I appreciate you broadening out and thinking about other types of technologies and ways to use them.

My time has expired, but if you could provide in greater detail, perhaps in written form, to our committee, any of you, specific, concrete examples of how this system can really enable greater access, greater availability of telemental…

I introduced successfully the Clay Hunt Veteran Suicide Prevention bill, to provide more mental health services to our veterans.

Thank you very much.

Let me be a little more precise, in fairness to you, rather than just asking you such an open-ended question.

I can tell you, my impression is from what I have heard about your work that you are more than just productive. You are very exceptional, an expert at what you do.

When, in fact, involvement of patients in care, listening to the patient, is one of the preeminent principles of modern health care.

If I were your mom or your parent, or if you were one of my two sons who has served in our military, one in the Marine Corps Reserve, the other in the Navy, my opinion would be--and I would be angry about it--that the VA failed you.

As a resident of Ranking Member Blumenthal's district in Connecticut, he knows well of what I speak.

I cannot accept that the VA is unable to provide those kinds of numbers.

I am trying to drill down on how many you need--what the universe of need is compared to what you have.

But, my understanding is that it needs more.

I am asking, essentially, how many do you need to hire or get on board somehow?

But, they are not available in sufficient number.

Thanks, Mr. Chairman.

For too long, VA has been thought of as somewhat of an old-boys club, and changing that culture requires making important infrastructure and staffing changes.

There are too many homeless women veterans. There are too many women veterans in need of medical care that is simply inaccessible to them.

Yet, for too long, the VA has essentially ignored many of the most pressing needs that our women veterans face.

Women are, in fact, one of the fastest growing segments of the overall veterans' population.