Richard Burr

I think it's extremely difficult to really penetrate this problem, when so many Americans don't have a medical home.

There's an incredible world of communication, that targets exactly the folks we're after, that goes unmentioned in a lot of the educational proposals that are out there.

I think the parents should be demanding from us that we have higher nutritional standards in those programs.

Should we set a nutritional standard that must be met for that meal that the Federal taxpayers are providing?

Senator Harkin and I agree totally on the need for prevention, wellness, and chronic-disease management.

Should we lead by example? Should we say, for that at-risk population, 'We're going to set a standard, and you're going to meet that standard.'

We've got to rethink our entire education system, if in fact, we want to integrate education and physical fitness together.

It's impossible for me to believe that we can fully take advantage of any investment in prevention, wellness, and chronic-disease management if, in fact, the delivery point of healthcare is an emergency room.

From the start of your association with VA or at any point while you exercised services from the VA, did you understand the full scope of benefits that were offered?

Only days after that hearing, a National Guard unit headquartered in Boone, North Carolina, returned home from Iraq. Within 18 months of their return, four of the unit's 175 soldiers had taken their own lives.

Thank you for the ever-changing treatment process that we go through. It does prove that the VA is listening and learning.

I think, in my view, there is always more to be done with any situation, however complex it may be.

You needed the boot in the butt to get you in it?

This problem is real.

Well, my next question was, did you understand the full array of services, as well.

I am sorry I overlooked your military service. Thank you for that.

A great deal of congratulations on the direction of the trend right now, that we are doing much better, and I think we are learning.

The reasons which lead a young man or woman to contemplate ending their life are complex. So, too, are the solutions to prevent that from happening.

The Department of Defense has a critical role to play, but so do community organizations, veterans groups, nonprofits, churches, and others.

I hope you would agree with me that if you were in theater and you saw a trend line that alarmed you, it would be something you would take very seriously.

We must not forget our obligations to them, their families, and their survivors.

We must have a VA health and benefits system that meets their needs, is responsive to their expectations, and appropriately expresses the gratitude of the Nation for their tremendous sacrifice.

Well, my time has run out. I thank you for reminding us of the things we are not typically focused on up here which VA does day in and day out and does it pretty damn well.

The budget request includes a $13.4 billion supplemental appropriations, again, 2010, for the disability benefits of three new Agent Orange-related presumptions.

This lack of response should not be acceptable to the Veterans' Affairs Committee.