This is not a setup, but I would like to hear your answer: is it not true that in the Veterans First bill which this Committee passed out unanimously--that by the provisions in there for provider agreements, we are expanding the…

That was a terrific question and I appreciate the answer. It gives us our homework to do before that August date next year.

we have got to get everybody that has got an interest in getting this done getting their heads together

we have to make sure the people who have already been left behind in the appeals process get an answer to the question they ask, which is the same one you do: when?

It is going to end up benefiting the people we are all here to serve, and that is the veterans of the United States of America.

Last, and very quickly, was the eligibility for VA health care for a non-honorably discharged veteran part of that discussion?

We are ready anytime, any place, anywhere, if somebody thinks we are taking away something to hurt a veteran.

I deeply appreciate, on behalf of all of us at VVA, the sound leadership from this Committee, of both you and Senator Blumenthal.

I want to commend the Chairman and the Commissioner present and the other members on the work that you did.

I will be glad to work with the Ranking Member, with the Secretary, with Denis McDonough, with all our veteran service organizations.

we should not do anything to reform the appeals process in the future until we tell these people how in the world we are going to give them an answer from the past.

If we can find 80 percent agreement, let's make a deal. Do not lose it over the 20 percent where we do not.