David Shulkin: “Our goal is to make sure that you do not need to contact a person, that our systems recognize you as a veteran.”

The VISN model was put in place close to 20 years ago, a very innovative model that has served VA well.

Slowing down and pausing to see what the consequences are, even if they are unintended consequences, is important to do.

This is a tough job for anybody to do. What the successful secretary needs to do is to build a team around them because this is bigger than any one person, and to work very collaboratively with veteran service organizations and Congress.

I think the way the findings were used -- were used in a political way. Not by the inspector general, but by the political appointees within V.A.