That's a big part of----

The truth is, the work just begins when the bill passes.

So awareness is a big part of the issue?

If retention is the goal, one of the ironies is that as you have gaps and you have longer hours and--that is a vicious downward spiral because people burn out.

These are the private nursing homes that are contracted for by the VA?

If we don't have the people to staff them, it ain't gonna work.

TAP is the Transition Assistance Program?

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

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

We've really got to work on that because it would be awful to have somebody who's ready, wants a mission, wants to do it but they can't wait for nine months or a year.

Prevention, prevention, prevention.

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

It's not exactly a morale booster.

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

shame on us if we're not ready for it because it's totally predictable.

By the way, that's a problem across the board. We had an Armed Services Committee hearing this week about the inability of many small businesses to interact with the Pentagon.

I believe that we have leaders there that want to help us, they care.

Will that access information include information about VA availabilities?

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

I mean that can't work for very long.

We want to keep that permanent.

I want to thank all of you. This has been very informative.

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

For the record, I totally agree with that statement.

It seems to me to start with your testimony, as I mentioned, the problem that you had with the VA wasn't with the programs or the adequacy, it was the time, and I'm delighted my office could help, but it shouldn't take that step to get…