I also want to thank my colleague and friend Congressman Mike Coffman for his support in this legislation.

I have been in the small group market when we started our practice and grew now to the large group market.

I wish the ACA had worked as well, and it has for some people, but it has failed a lot of people.

the American Legion has long opposed the rounding down of the cost of living adjustment, and urges this Committee to fight the attempt to rob Peter to pay Paul.

We have an obligation to ensure that the men and the women who have served our Nation in uniform receive the benefits they have earned.

If the people of Puerto Rico don't know it, it doesn't do any good.

I want to just give a shout out to all the veterans that are here and the Puerto Rican people for undergoing an incredible hardships during the past several months after not one, but two major hurricanes that hit this Island.

I look forward to discussing exactly how this fiscal year's budget request will support a transformation to a more modern, efficient, and effective VA.

I want to know how this budget plans to fill the vacancies, and if the hiring freeze will continue.

I think it is becoming more and more difficult, Mr. Secretary, for you to say I am not supporting privatization of the VA because it appears that you are.

I want that care centered in the VA.

I want to know how the Department expects to recruit and retain the best providers and employees when our President does not appear to value their work.

While you are willing to make astronomical requests to fund community care, you are not willing to do the same for caregiver community.

As public officials, we are all expected to be held to a higher standard and be good stewards of tax dollars.

I was disappointed in the allegations raised by this report.

The eligibility should target those Veterans at risk for having to leave their homes in order to receive care.

VA Caregiver Support Program: Correcting Course For Veteran Caregivers

I share this Administration's concern that the significant expansion of the Family Caregiver Program cannot be discussed or supported without an honest conversation about finding the right balance between clinical appropriateness and cost.

My opinion is the same as the Administration's position, which is that expansion of the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is the right and equitable thing to do, but we can't responsibly support it without…

I feel strongly that any legislation to improve and expand the Family Caregiver Program should be developed, proceed through regular order, and passed on its own merits.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

We strongly support improving the Caregiver programs and focusing its resources on Veterans who need it most regardless of when they served.

We know that veterans who are able to stay in their homes with caregiver support have better well-being.

We think the program's eligibility criteria should target Veterans who would require a higher level of care, outside of their home were it not for the assistance of their family caregiver.

I support expanding the Family Caregiver Program to pre-9/11 veterans, but I believe that before doing so we must ensure that the program is working as intended.