The problem I have with VA is it is never anybody's fault.

In other words, like, 2 to 6 months----

I want your solution to these problems, and I think it goes down to not having enough control locally.

That is the wrong answer, Dr. Lynch. That is what I am trying to tell you.

The people on the ground who are actually taking care of the patients get to make some decisions.

I think VA's overly bureaucratic hiring process is also a significant factor in its inability to recruit a physician for multiple years running.

It is really frustrating to me.

As a physician who worked fee-for-service at the Iron Mountain VA, Department of Veteran Affairs, Medical Center for about 20 years, I know firsthand how rewarding it can be to take care of veterans at the VA.

Thank you, Ms. DaSilva.

I have introduced, H.R. 2193, the VA Employee Fairness Act, to expand providers' ability to negotiate to improve staffing levels.

I think that very loss of professionalism has occurred.

Not every single private hospital has 2,000 clinics, but they seem to do a better job.

Well, that would sort of explain why it is difficult to recruit.

Regardless of how fulfilling VA employment often is, the Department's ability to effectively and efficiently recruit and retain qualified medical professionals to treat veterans is seriously fractured.

Because I know that in the private sector it doesn't take--if you apply for a job, it doesn't take 2 months.

So this is all done through the H.R. department then? I mean, the physician hires, as well?

But they haven't gotten a central plan for hiring physicians over the last 30 years.

I'm very disappointed in Mr. Murray's testimony here today, but just as--I agree with the chairman, this is just outrageous.

I want to see some somebody's name, because otherwise they all say, well, nobody ever took care of this.

We are allowing them to out-compete us.

I have been to China, I have been to India, and the pollution there is unbelievably bad.

I am somewhat concerned about the fact that we are adding more and more controls for less and less improvement in our environment.

I thank the chairman. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 2028 and would like to take this opportunity to talk about the importance of investing in American infrastructure. This legislation provides support for critical national and…

I have an amendment at the desk. The CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment. The Clerk read as follows: Page 58, after line 25, insert the following: Sec. 242. Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the…

shouldn't we coordinate all of that in one place to explore toxic exposure issues?