We're not helping veterans if we have--if beds disappear.

So the problem wasn't the service, it was the time to get the service; is that correct?

the best news I've heard so far is the expansion of the home-based care.

As the population ages.

Could you define expansion? Are we talking 20, 30 percent, 40 percent? I mean----

I think Brunswick or Portland is halfway between Madawaska and New York City. People don't realize how tall Maine is.

Well, it seems to me that's an area that we should be talking about in Washington.

They're also going to be facing closure; aren't they?

That's a scary thought, isn't it?

I like the idea. In other words, additional federal funds not generally but targeted toward workforce retention?

And my problem with the regulation is it's the best being the enemy of the good because if the result is closed nursing homes and fewer beds, we haven't gained anything.

I don't think there's one in Washington County either.

Take note of what she just said. Twenty-five percent of the residents in Aroostook County today are over 65. That's extraordinary.

Your costs didn't go down? Your cost didn't go down----

If you can't--if you can't get enough people, you're not going to be able to meet the staffing ratios which could mean a loss of capacity rather than a gain for the veterans.

People have told me that too so----

I want to publicly thank the chair and co-chair of the committee, Jon Tester of Montana and Jerry Moran of Kansas.

Well, I think that's--that's something that you're going to have to be thinking about because it ties back to the workforce problem.

That's a scary thought, isn't it?

Prevention, prevention, prevention.

So that's compounded by additional regulations that increase cost but don't provide any additional funds; is that correct?

I've told my staff I want to be the falls senator; without falling.

People have told me that too so----

What should we be attending to in the next round of VA and veterans' legislation?

I think that's something we have to figure out how to waive or something.