Mike Michaud

We as a Nation have a 'sacred trust' to care for those who have served and sacrificed.

We definitely do have to think outside the box to make sure that they do get the help that they need when they need it.

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

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.

We, as a Nation, have a responsibility - a sacred trust - to care for those whom we send into harm's way.

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

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

I really appreciate it. You stated in your testimony that serving veterans is a shared responsibility with state and the Federal government.

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

Access and quality and the timeliness of care that our veterans will need to address these mental health issues should be readily available.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for continuing to keep the issue of access, quality, and timely mental health services provided to our veterans at the forefront of this Committee.

According to the CDC legionellosis is on the rise. The United States has seen an increase of 217 percent between 2000-2009.

At this time, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

I now would yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch).

I would now like to yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz) such time as she may consume.

I am writing to express my concern with recent reports that the military has been destroying or failing to keep records from the field in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Our service members and veterans depend on your agencies and Congress to protect them in battle and to care for them at home.

I thank the gentleman for his answer. My next concern is that USTR's report that Congress may not give sufficient attention to Russia's compliance with their manufacturing- related commitments. I know you and I share a deep commitment to…

I think we have got two principal obligations, an obligation to transparency and an obligation to value.

I know the secretary has made a lot of improvements over the last few years, but we still have a long ways to go to make sure that we can provide the adequate services that our veterans have earned and deserve.

Painful and disabling joint and back disorders continue to be reported as the top health problems of veterans returning from overseas.

We continue to work with our congressional delegation, including Congressman Mike Michaud to gain a more equitable Medicare reimbursement rate.

What are you doing to make sure that veterans can have that good quality access to health care in rural areas?

I want to thank you, Kris, and Cary Medical Center for all that you are doing to provide good-quality care for our veterans in a timely fashion.