Mike Michaud

We need all of the facts and we need honesty, frank discussions.

The Department of Veterans' Affairs cannot morally claim success in delivering better care to our veterans.

Veterans define good, timely care and services on their whole experience from start to finish.

Lax measures and practices with records to veterans' personal information is simply unacceptable.

Our veterans are the ones paying the price for this dysfunction.

When a veteran is experiencing depression or other early warning signs that may indicate mental health issues or even suicide, that must be treated like an immediate medical crisis, because that is exactly what it is.

Push reform where possible and develop new legislation where necessary to facilitate partnerships with the community.

So once again, we are finding that our veterans deserve much better than the care they are receiving.

But one that we haven't zeroed in on too much yet has been access to mental health care and suicide prevention services for our veterans.

Eighteen to 22 veterans commit suicide each day. In my opinion, that is 18 to 22 brave men and women each day who our system has let down in some capacity.

We have had many discussions and debates about how to deliver the best health care services to our Nation's veterans, and how to ensure accountability within the leadership ranks of the VA.

Daniel Somers wrote that he felt his government had "abandoned" him and referenced coming home to face a "system of dehumanization, neglect, and indifference."

If we do not get results this time then shame on us.

This is how democracy can work best.

I think there is no doubt in my mind, the American public wants to get this right.

We can give lip services or we can get serious about how we are going to do it.

I am done with the talk. I am done with the pilot programs, if you will.

I would argue that fixing mental health services is among the most important area.

For once again, we are finding that our veterans deserve much better than the care that they are receiving in all of the areas that we must address.

At its heart access to care is not about numbers, it is about people.

VA owed Daniel, and Clay, and Brian so much more than that.

PVA's members and all veterans will not stand for anything less.

I think when we look at how we manage excess demand, we need to determine whether we can provide that service more economically within the VA or whether it is better for us to buy that in the community.

We appreciate your commitment to ensuring that veterans receive the best health care available.

I want to thank you for coming this evening.