Can you talk about other performance requirements for the clinicians?

I want to thank you for your dedication, your commitment, and your willingness to keep this issue before the Full Committee.

I think the VA has been operating on the notion that they have to do it all.

Because my concern is when you look at the increase in suicide rates, it went from 18 to 22.

In terms of the pilots, the--15 sites were selected, they were selected based upon the desire of the local network, our hospital to participate, and a need is identified often by how rural the areas were.

After 11 years of war, we continue to see the impact of repeated deployments and separations on our service members, veterans, and their families.

I do not believe that there is. I believe that people that are suffering from PTSD do want to have that PTSD treated, and do want to go through therapy, and do want to make a better adjustment to their living circumstances, no.

[o]f all of the professionals in mental health, the most difficult problem we are having is recruiting psychiatrists, and we have barely been able to recruit half of the new ones that we said we wanted to do, and that it is in spite of…

...15 pilots sites were selected... based upon the desire of the local network to participate, our hospital to participate, and a need... identified often by how rural the areas were.

mental health is a significant problem that faces the nation, not just veterans or the VA.

In reference to our Full Committee hearing entitled, "Analyzing VA's Actions to Prevent Legionnaire's Disease in Pittsburgh" that took place on February 5, 2013, I would appreciate it if you could answer the enclosed hearing questions by…