Richard Burr

Now the VA has maintained that it is very transparent when it comes to its disclosure of adverse events, even more so than the private sector.

I guess I am having a little disconnect because in the previous question you suggested they were ignored.

Last week, you released a report evaluating VHA's National Patient Safety Program.

So, in other words, the medical alerts that went out were ignored or devalued from a standpoint of importance?

In fact, the safety alerts that were put out by the VA actually were put out because of changes in certain devices if I understand the chronology of those alerts.

So why would an institution not require a health care professional to follow the manufacturer's recommended sterilization and/or the FDA's recommendation?

There is a human element to this issue that must not be forgotten or overlooked at all.

The more I learn about this issue, the more it seems to be a case of extreme negligence.

When veterans lose their confidence in the VA, then we have all failed in our mission to care for those who fought for us.

Simply put, this is an unacceptable way to treat our veterans or their families.

I think that suggests that there is something extremely serious to look at, whether there is fire behind the curtain.

In my capacity as Ranking Member of the Committee and as a Senator from North Carolina who represents 7,500 veterans in a 3-county area that are serviced by Mountain Home, I was not told...

I hope that you will publicly or privately share with us when those epidemiologists come back after they have looked at the genomic connection.

Yes, you highlight it. And there is nobody today that can tell us we have not done everything to prevent it.

I guess my direct question is having noted those deficiencies in those three facilities, at what point would it trigger you to take a more aggressive stand relative to VA's remediation of the deficiencies?

I deeply respect the work that they do.

Clearly quality and safety seems to have diminished from a standpoint of importance

Mr. Calcara and Ms. Ferguson, how many personnel and families will end up being stationed at Baumholder?

Mr. Calcara and Ms. Ferguson, as for the future of Baumholder, what major units does the Army plan to station there?

This committee has encouraged DOD to work with nations hosting U.S. military personnel at bases and in local communities to develop partnerships.

DOD has made progress in implementing the BRAC 2005 round but faces challenges in its ability to meet the September 15, 2011, statutory completion deadline.

The 2005 BRAC round is the biggest, most complex, and costliest BRAC round ever.

Mr. Arny and Mr. Calcara, does DOD foresee the possibility of restrictive conditions on the use of facilities in Kuwait and other neighboring countries?

Mr. Arny and Mr. Calcara, is there an associated estimate of the costs for this activity?

The redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq, a process DOD refers to as 'reposturing,' will be a massive and expensive effort.