Johnny Isakson

I think we need to get the VA health system out of the business of building buildings and into the business of saving lives.

I think our need to know is important.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Missal.

We estimate that $1.1 billion in overpayments and $260 million in underpayments over the next 5 years if VA does not change their policy.

I was joined by the Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal, some of the Colorado delegation, and some House members.

The hospital being built in Denver for the veterans is 427.5 percent over budget.

I think Senator Blumenthal makes an outstanding point.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good analogy, by the way.

You ought to be allowed to brag a little bit in the hearing. We appreciate what you are doing.

I want to compliment you on your testimony.

That's really what led to the whole Sunscreen Innovation Act.

It's time to bring some of it to a conclusion.

More Americans have skin cancer than lung cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and the others combined.

I have had two, which, fortunately, I got in time. It's a very deadly cancer.

Every contribution that comes from an existing spent dollar rather than a new dollar we have to borrow from China is really important to me.

We are here to get the answers as to why we are where we are.

It is unacceptable to us.

It is absolutely incumbent, no excuses, that we are going to get the project done, get it done right, and hold the VA accountable.

To me, that is unacceptable.

That money ought to be going to the overruns, and that is where you need to find as much of the money as you can, not in penalizing veterans from the program Congress passed to try to improve their access to VA health care.

I will inject there two things. One is on the spinal cord injury.

I think there is got to be some system, an improved system of accountability in the administration of the VA.

We need to do no less than the same for them.

I pledge my complete support to the other members of the Senate and the House to do exactly that.

Sometimes we waste money in Washington, but sometimes we are willing to come and hold people accountable when things go wrong