Thank you again for taking the time to answer these questions. The Committee looks forward to receiving your answers by May 11, 2008.

Last year, the Rural Veterans Access to Care Act, legislation sponsored by my good friend and colleague, Jerry Moran, was enacted into law as a pilot program in Public Law 110-387.

I am very pleased to recognize Representative Herseth Sandlin for her many years working and fighting for veterans' issues, especially women veterans' health care.

I do not necessarily agree or disagree with the bills before us today, but I believe that this is an important part of the legislative process.

Thank you again for taking the time to answer these questions. The Committee looks forward to receiving your answers by April 23, 2008.

I would like to thank you very much, Doctor Cross for your continued efforts to make sure that our veterans get the benefits that they have earned and deserve.

So, in my opinion, and based on my recent experience, it seems somewhat unreasonable and an unfair financial burden for women veterans...

I look forward to hearing the views of the witnesses on these bills before us today.