Mazie Hirono

I think, thirdly--and this gets to something that Dr. Mahnken said earlier--it is very important to articulate American values.

The President's plan lets us focus our limited resources on the border and on deporting felons, not hard-working families.

We need Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform which the American people overwhelmingly support.

So, do these prevention methods that you are utilizing, do they--are they working?

That is good to know, and these companies that are coming up with alternative treatments, is their testing being supported through tax credits and other incentives?

Earlier this year, Senator Kirk and I introduced the Viral Hepatitis Testing Act of 2014.

Despite the drug discount and the prioritization of patients, it is estimated that the VA will spend $1.3 billion over the next 2 years just on this Hepatitis C treatment.

Unfortunately, as has already been stated, the treatment options are very expensive--estimates range from around $80,000 to $100,000 for a course of treatment.

I think my series of questions has to do with whether the marketplace really can--is operating in a way that there is more competition for different kinds of treatments that are effective and much less costly.

So, if that is the case--either one of you can answer--what would be the incentive for the drug companies who are getting reimbursed by insurance for these $1,000 pills to be innovative and come up with less costly, effective drugs?

It is important to increase surveillance within the VA population to help prevent the spread of Hepatitis C.

Today, more than 1.4 million veterans receive mental health services from the VA.

It takes willing hearts to go there.

So, this is a directive from the Pentagon--

I think that we recognize, and particularly as both Congresswoman Hanabusa and I serve on the Armed Services Committee for our respective bodies, that we are dealing with a very unique environment with regard to the military.

And of course recognizing that the military families do go outside of the military provider community to access services in the private sector, so to the extent that you have this kind of awareness about the specific stressors and how to…

I do anticipate moving forward with a collaboration model that is more than you all should be talking together more.

I would say that this is why going forward, it does behoove us to at least use the same terminology and come to a common understanding.

We have to be very creative here.

So, did you say that you do not have the information as to how much your organizations have spent to return spouses?

It is not meant to be.

We have many dedicated service providers. We have a great need for legal services. And I want to thank you for your continued support.

So, I think for the military, thank both of you for raising that question of how do military victims, how safe do they feel in coming forward.

I definitely share your concerns. We definitely want to work together to make sure we are providing the best services for our families.

I understand that Senator Schatz has to leave, so thank you very much for joining us.