My concern about the depth and duration of this illegal purchasing is serious enough that I have partnered with Chairman Issa of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee in requesting needed documents and information from VA to fix…

What did VA officials know, and when did they know it?

Frankly, Mr. Chairman, I have heard it all before.

Are the rules and regulations all adopted?

Given such demonstrated need: Please provide the Committee with a detailed explanation of any joint efforts by both departments to collect data on suicides or to do a comprehensive study on suicides.

Suicide among veterans is an absolute crisis.

I would be very interested in that, because I am under the same understanding, that it has not been implemented.

I promise to do that.

We have to do more, and we will continue to do that and we will work with them and get their input and their ideas.

We know that treatment works and that is extremely hopeful and is enough for us to keep going.

Six percent of the population would be directly affected by the VA.