I welcome this discussion. I've heard from many North Carolinians who live in rural communities...

I'm interested to see what quality and cost mechanisms are in place for fee-based care as well.

Therefore, establishing relationships with community providers is essential.

I have been contacted by a urologist in North Carolina who is now refusing to see any new VA patients.

Using local community providers can save rural veterans from long, tiresome trips.

But there is no requirement on any fee-based service to provide the medical records to the VA, am I correct?

we must ensure that we're getting three key things in return: timely access; quality care; and a fair price...

I am trying to figure out, why did we do this?

the aim of the veterans' disability program should be rehabilitation, but the goal has not been met.

the committee felt that it was important that the VA focus full-time effort on updating the ratings schedule

I hope if you, as chair of the Advisory Committee, see it as a high priority task, then I want to understand up front

We are not provided this information. We are not going to be able to give you specific recommendations that you can act on?