Debbie Wasserman Schultz: “The leadership of this committee has been committed consistently to making sure that safe and effective treatments are…”

“The leadership of this committee has been committed consistently to making sure that safe and effective treatments are able to be provided to the VA, to our veterans who get their care from the VA. It is just important to make sure that the care that they are receiving is efficacious and that it is safe. It would be helpful if the sponsor of the amendment understood the sites that are offering this treatment are part of the study that is being done. There is not a new study being proposed. We are not adding time to this, but there is a process for expanding the use of emergency healthcare treatments, and that is the responsibility of the VA to manage. Let's let them complete that process and then you could go fully forward assuming that it proves to be efficacious and safe. I realize that we have a horrific problem with PTSD, and we certainly are dedicating vast resources to make sure that we can address suicide prevention. Unfortunately, the Republican bill cuts the VA by $6 billion, so that commitment is not quite the same. Making sure that we are providing safe, efficacious treatments for our veterans and that we do not impose those decisions from the House floor is important. That is why I oppose the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Crawford). The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry). The amendment was agreed to. Amendment No. 37 Offered by Mr. Peters The Acting CHAIR.…”