Johnny Isakson: “we are fixing it, and I appreciate both questions. On question No. 1, we need to repeal the sunset of Choice, which is…”

“we are fixing it, and I appreciate both questions. On question No. 1, we need to repeal the sunset of Choice, which is in 2 years, and make it permanent. Choice is a force multiplier for the VA, which is good, and it is an added service for our veterans, which is also good. I commit to you as chairman that I am going to work towards eliminating the sunset so Choice is permanent in VA health services from now on. As far as hospital cost overruns, the Senator is right. Denver was $1.732 billion--a 428-percent overrun--but look at Orlando, FL, and look at three other hospitals we have built, all of them being two or three times the original estimate. The VA needs to be taken out of the business of building hospitals, and we are doing that and transferring it to the Corps of Engineers, who are the people who know how to build something. The VA needs to manage the health delivery system for our veterans. That is what they need to be providing. They do not need to be building buildings. They don't need to be keeping us out of their business. They need, instead, to find private sector solutions wherever they can and do what they were chartered to do, which is to provide services for veterans who fought and sacrificed for our country. Mr. McCAIN. In other words, from now on, if there is a new VA facility to be built, that will be supervised and constructed by the Corps of Engineers?”