Angus King

The differential in pay between different areas of the country, I think, is obsolete because people can work anywhere.

We are turning away and losing veterans because of lack of staff. It is an enormous problem.

Ultimately this is all about service to veterans.

I believe that the whole idea of differential pay in different regions, based on cost of living, is somewhat obsolete.

Why not empower the local managers, if they have a need give them a budget, they decide what they need, who they need, and do the hiring and hold them accountable.

We have to really think hard about all the steps, and here is one of them.

We are turning away and losing veterans because of lack of staff. It is an enormous problem.

The differential in pay between different areas of the country, I think, is obsolete because people can work anywhere.

The differential in pay between different areas of the country, I think, is obsolete because people can work anywhere.

Ultimately this is all about service to veterans.

We have to really think hard about all the steps, and here is one of them.

I believe that the whole idea of differential pay in different regions, based on cost of living, is somewhat obsolete.

Why not empower the local managers, if they have a need give them a budget, they decide what they need, who they need, and do the hiring and hold them accountable.

We are turning away and losing veterans because of lack of staff. It is an enormous problem.

I like that on the record. 'A hundred percent agree.' I appreciate that.

Clearly, that is something we need to do.

I think I can tell you from the point of view of what I hear from my veterans in Maine, they really like the care that they are getting from the VA.

Fortunately, laws are the business that we are in here.

I do think that is something that we have got to--we have got to work on.

Great. Well, thank you all very much for your testimony, and I appreciate the work that you are doing.

I like that on the record. 'A hundred percent agree.' I appreciate that.

Clearly, that is something we need to do.

If this is a competitive marketplace, we are going to have to... discuss waivers, and to be sure that we have access to the professionals that we need.

One of the issues is access. The question is when do you get the care?

I think I can tell you from the point of view of what I hear from my veterans in Maine, they really like the care that they are getting from the VA.