Daniel Akaka

I think that S. 3348 is a great example of that, a small procedural change that we can do to cut the red tape.

We need to rethink how we are actually going to deliver services to the individual veteran.

IAVA supports this bill, which would streamline the process of appealing a disability claim and would not penalize veterans for misfiling a notice of appeal.

We do not feel like Charlie Brown with the football, as we seem to have every year.

IAVA strongly supports this common sense draft bill that will allow an authorized individual to sign on behalf of a veteran who is a minor, physically unable or declared mentally incompetent.

I am pleased to appear before you today to discuss legislation pending in this Committee.

Homelessness among veterans is a national tragedy.

We are especially appreciative of Senator Burr's leadership in crafting and introducing this legislation.

I believe that together we have made important strides in caring for veterans with TBI.

However, as long as we have any veterans with undiagnosed TBI, partnerships with community providers left untapped, or research left unused, there is still work to do.

VA has dramatically improved services for these veterans.

I agree with you. This is why we are holding these hearings, to bring the different parts of our Government, including Congress and the Administration, together so that we can move more quickly.

Is the VA doing a more effective job treating brain injury today than they were two or three years ago.

I encourage both Departments to continue to break down barriers in their processes and find new ways to work more seamlessly, which ultimately results in the best outcomes for servicemembers and veterans.

Today we revisit this topic to determine how completely that law is being implemented.

This hearing will come to order. Aloha and welcome to all of you here today.

It is estimated that up to 360,000 servicemembers have sustained a brain injury in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Changing the Medicare Rules to expand coverage to cognitive rehabilitation could be one of the quickest and most effective changes to providing comprehensive brain injury rehabilitation to soldiers.

The Legislation I authored to provide a comprehensive program of services and support to family members who wish to care for their veterans at home, instead of placing them in an institution, is to be signed by President Obama this…

The Government must do all it can to treat these wounded veterans.

I want to thank you, this second panel, for your observations as well as your experience and perceptions about our Federal workers.

I believe we need to see long-term investments in the training of the workforce.

As we showcase these careers, we must also make sure that the Federal Government is an employer of choice.

I think that it is a change in culture that needs to come about.

As you know, Mr. Foley, I am very interested in expanding the use of telework in the Federal sector.