Jon Tester

If we are going to cut an additional 300, it looks to me like we are putting something at risk here.

I think they are critically important, and oftentimes, I wonder if the Administration does not cut programs that are really, really good programs.

I think it is critically important that they have the same--that we put forth the same effort of security.

It would be great to know what the cost estimates are for that replacement.

From my perspective, if you need $1.3 billion for the new hires that we are hiring and it is not in the budget for 2018, we are not doing our job.

I appreciate your professionalism, and I appreciate your honesty.

The worst thing that could happen, and by the way, it would hurt for recruitment, is hire these folks and then not keep them around.

I mean, why are we putting an emphasis on getting healthcare providers across the system, urban and rural areas. We are going to be laying these folks off.

I want to drill down a little bit on the numbers, particularly with the 2018 advance request.

Why is it taking so long to fix this system?

By consolidating the VA's multiple community care programs... that would reduce the confusion for veterans and VA employees alike.

In many ways, both the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) have made some significant progress over the past year, but I am sure that you would agree that we have much more work to do.

We really do need to get that fixed if we could.

Could I get your personal assurance that you will directly engage in the efforts to address the frustrations with veterans in my State with the Choice Program, specifically with Health Net?

The intent of the Choice Act was to give veterans more opportunity to seek timely care in their communities, but as we all know, in practice it simply has not happened.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Quite frankly, where the person was hurt, how the person was hurt, the x-rays, the CAT scans, all that would be on there so that when a veteran is going to get rated, it would be a much easier process, and it would not take forever, and it…

I just want to continue real quick. I actually am going to be very interested to hear Dr. Cassidy's questions on this because you are in the business.

Thank you all for your testimony.

We all know and we agree that accountability of VA is critically important, whether we are talking about delivering quality and timely care or whether we are talking about IT initiatives such as electronic health records and scheduling…

I can tell you that the current system is not going to cut it, so I am concerned that the current medical appointment scheduling system plan is on hold, if it is not the right plan, then it should be revised or replaced, but it cannot be…

I appreciate your guys' commitment to the country. I very much do.

Correct me if I'm out of bounds here, you should have a short- and long-term plan for facilities.

If we do another round of BRAC, will it improve readiness or will it take away from our readiness?

You guys are three branches of the same arm, and it really kind of worries me on different things.