Barbara Mikulski: “first, I compliment our two colleagues from New York on their advocacy for veterans and the attempt to work to form a…”

“first, I compliment our two colleagues from New York on their advocacy for veterans and the attempt to work to form a bipartisan coalition and for being concerned about mental health services and long-term care, as well as the rural needs. I say to my two colleagues, we on the VA Committee have to be concerned that we are in the veterans health care business and not in the veterans health real estate business. So we want to advocate for services, not for buildings. I think the Senator is also aware that we just had to work very hard to forage to come up with the $1.3 billion to meet the compelling needs for our veterans. I ask the Senator from New York, with her very strong advocacy and the support of a bipartisan list of cosponsors, would she consider a different approach--that, perhaps, report language be in the bill acknowledging the validity of the concerns raised by her, Senator Enzi, and others, talking about the need for long-term care, and pay attention to this as well as the rural health care? I say to my dear and esteemed colleague, the CARES project or process is due December 3. To make these recommendations, some of which are quite excellent--inclusion, participation, et cetera--would derail CARES. It could affect our spinal injury programs or more outpatient clinics. I know it could have unintended consequences. Would the Senator consider an alternative other than having the vote on the amendment?”