Lindsey Graham

I believe that enforcement is very important to addressing this problem. But I also believe that prevention works, and I also believe that treatment works.

The only reason I mention that, you know, when you go back and look at a law, there is a reason that laws exist, and history sometimes will say that was a dumb reason.

If we change the law to do away with what appears to be an injustice, that you get so much more punishment for one type of cocaine versus the other, and it has such a disparate effect in terms of our demographics, what do we do if we…

The establishment of new programs and policies alone does not guarantee success, but must be evaluated to ensure they are achieving their intended purpose.

The DES pilot and expedited DES are in place and already helping our servicemembers and their families.

We need to look at all the ideas, collect the best ones, and develop the best legislative solution possible.

Are the resources available to meet the demand for care sufficient?

We have been told that there is a national shortage of mental health providers, is that correct?

How many more mental health providers have DOD and VA hired since 2001?

Congress intended that wounded servicemembers have the broadest possible options for brain injury care and rehabilitation.

What do you say to skeptics who believe that you are just playing with semantics when you assert that the goal will be achieved?

Admiral Timberlake, you have until September 2009 to develop and implement a fully interoperable health care capability for DOD and VA. Are you going to make it?

How will we know if laws and policies have made a positive difference for wounded servicemembers and their families, or not?

Policies are only as good as the institutions and people whose job it is to carry them out.

I encourage the Services to devise road maps to enable our wounded warriors with additional skill sets.

The more standardization, the easier it is for the case manager and the troops and their family to get through this thing.

I think that is a great idea, because we focus on the wounded warrior and their family member.

The only reason I mentioned that is the Colonel Gadsons of the world.

This has been a very informative hearing, I think.

Thank you very much.

One thing I'd like to just bring to the committee's attention, and to the public and our panel members, is that Colonel Gadson's a good example of how this war is different.

The country needs to come to grips with the fact that the moment the person is catastrophically, devastatively injured, the family changes.

Now, in terms of support for the spouse who's life has changed as much as yours has, there is a compensation stream, is that right, Colonel Gadson?

Make sure I get this right. You get wounded, you get back home, your Active Duty pay continues until you're medically discharged. Is that right?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the panel for sharing your experiences with us.