Johnny Isakson

The United States does not have broad economic sanctions on the country of Zimbabwe.

How severe is it? Is it a famine like drought?

Do you coordinate these sanctions with the State Department?

Georgia is proud of all of its veterans, but it is particularly proud--we have had the best Commissioner of Veterans Affairs any State could possibly have.

Thirty to 90 minutes is great progress compared to three hospitals and no clinics, which was the case just a few years ago.

So the health care center might be one of the solutions to that problem?

We need another VA hospital in Atlanta in order to provide timely and quality health care for the steadily increasing number of patients.

Commissioner Wheeler wants you to know that he values your friendship and that he appreciates the interest of your Committee regarding veterans having top-notch and accessible health care available throughout all of Georgia.

I sincerely hope the administration will consider looking at those facilities that have been built in preparation for the brigade combat team which has now been withdrawn, to see if one of those facilities will match with the VA's use…

It appeared to me there were a disproportionate number of women in the center versus the ratio in the service.

I know proximity is essential to what you all have done in Augusta, Ms. Wiley, but is it possible to adopt some of the seamless transition procedures they have done in Augusta in this new Hinesville facility with Charleston?

Well, let the record reflect that is precisely why we are having this hearing today, so that is exactly the intent we plan for.

Well, let me thank all three of you for your testimony and for your service to our veterans.

I think Secretary Shinseki has been very impressed with what has happened there and I think the results bear out that this is an important thing to cover.

Thank you for that answer.

I always brag about what you all do there. It is nothing short of remarkable.

Well, thank you very much, Mr. Williams. I appreciate your testimony, and I want to make note, by the end of this year, we will have 78 more clinics--833--is that right?

I am going to attempt to see to it that whenever we have a DOD facility and a veterans facility in the same city, that they can replicate what has been done in Augusta, Georgia.

One of the reasons that I asked to be on the Veterans Committee when I was elected to the Senate was because I wanted to do everything I could to see to it that the promises made to our veterans were delivered.

I was struck, when I went through the center at Fort Stewart last year, by the number of women that were going through the Warrior Transition Center.

Well, let me ask you this question with regard to Uptown VA in Augusta and Eisenhower.

If I am not mistaken, not only is the return rate now at 35 percent and improving, but a lot of those people are returning actually to the theater of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

I wanted to let you know we have already looked out for you.

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics are certainly one of those areas where that is taking place, and that is the purpose of this hearing today.

I will ask unanimous consent that the record remain open for 10 days for any additional testimony.