One last question. If we change the law or we change the sentencing to be more balanced and, quite frankly, fair given powder cocaine, do you worry that we send the wrong message?

I think this is a topic long overdue for discussion.

OK. Making sure we are on message here.

But if we do go to a mandatory immunization to the population as a whole like we have done in the past, I think we need to really think about what exposure the health care professionals have and do something about it now while we have the…

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

Do you think it would be wise to look at doing something new?

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

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

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

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

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

I am just suggesting a lot of criticism about Iraq is you always assume the best and never plan for the worst.

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.

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

Can you get this from eating pork? [Laughter.]

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?

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?

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?

Can you see any reasonable possibility down the road based on science where that might be required?

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

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

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

This has been a very informative hearing, I think.