"If we have a crisis in mental health and we are treating all hires the same, we have a problem."
"How many of those who are no longer receiving prescriptions from the VA are now using heroin or other street drugs?"
"El Paso is ranked 157 out of 158 for mental healthcare access."
"I want your commitment that you are going to work with us because the community has come forward in the vacuum of VA leadership."
"I think more of the same we have seen from the last year, despite... tremendous leadership on the part of the VA... is just not working."
"So it really raises profound concerns about control and accountability at the VA."
"this lack of control and accountability gives me some pause in authorizing that."
"But unless we're sure that these concerns have been addressed--and I'm not, following all of these instances and the hearing today--it's hard to have that faith."
"And I think this committee certainly wants to be a constructive partner with the VA."
"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you for holding this hearing. I look forward to the testimony from our panel and to their answers from our questions."
"Does OIG have any outstanding concerns, and do you agree with Mr. Murray's conclusion on that?"