As a result of VA's incompetence, thousands of veterans, including some right here in Michigan, were left waiting for weeks, months, and even years to receive the care they needed.

That's been a complaint elsewhere in the country.

What can we do, Mr. Rice, because you and I have talked in the past about the difficulties in getting providers.

I'm concerned about this piece of legislation that we passed is supposed to be able to give an access card to veterans from this area basically.

It is no secret that the VA is in crisis and has fallen far short of providing the care and services that our veterans have earned, deserve and should expect.

But do you agree that 5 hours is excessive?

I'm sure the communities would just be more than happy to be able to have a town hall meeting.

This is a pretty huge issue. I'm surprised that there's not more local care being done.

Our veterans fought for our freedom. They shouldn't have to fight bureaucrats when they return home.

I think that's a step in the direction--the right direction.

We've stopped believing most of the things VA says. Because their actions, haven't--you've fouled up from what you're saying.

You've got to be out there, hearing for yourself what's actually going on, because sometimes the leadership gets a different view.

I know that we haven't covered all the aspects of VA's problems that we've heard in Washington. I know that in your positions, from where you're at, you can't solve the problems of how the whole management of the system works.

Why aren't we doing more of this care here now?

For the audience we passed a pretty major veteran reform bill this past time that, frankly, it's going to come down to implementation.

It's been very frustrating to me to hear the people from the VA say, 'yes, well, we understand and we're working on it.'

I was hoping I could get your commitment today to try to make that happen better.

This law is not perfect, and the problems at VA will not be solved overnight; however, this bill for the first time will allow veterans suffering long waiting times for care the option to be seen by local doctors.

Is there a registry for people who have been subject to these burn pits that were present in the Gulf War?

Is that the standard method, then, of actually speaking to the patient when they make an appointment?

I've got a couple more questions. In a statement for the record, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of the Chippewa Indians stated that they are seeking an agreement with VA to allow members who are veterans as well as non-Native veterans to…

I just want to touch on one of the things that was brought up in the previous panel again.

While preparing for the hearing today, my office received a call from a Northern Michigan VA employee...

Is there a consistent way of reminding people of their appointments?

You would agree it would be better if the VA had a central plan to hire physicians nation-wide to get a pipeline of people in the system?