We seem to be blind to the fact that so many thousands and thousands of our veteran brothers and sisters have become disenfranchised with the system.

VHA's principal mission is to provide healthcare to veterans, yet over time has acquire an ancillary mission, caretaker of an extensive portfolio of vacant buildings.

We can no longer continue to allow VA's outdated, inflexible, and ill-suited capital asset program to compromise the department's core mission.

ROA appreciates that Chairman Roe has provided oversight of the Department of Veterans Affairs Senior Executive Service since 2007.

Will veterans be able to seek appointments in the community like they have before if the Choice is not replenished?

I am very concerned because one of the purposes for the Choice Program, when Congress enacted that, was because veterans were not receiving access to care that they needed and deserved.

I get a little frustrated sometimes because I know we have done that, and have had other requests that come on from educators.

I think we hear all the bad. We don't hear a lot of times the good.

If Congress does not replenish the Choice Fund, will wait times lengthen like they were before Phoenix?

Just very briefly, just to put that in context. Like I said a moment ago, I was here for the BCA. We had a number in the discretionary part of the budget that we funded. We have taken money away from other departments and almost doubled…

And will the TPAs have to let staff across the country go if it is not replenished?

I think what the VA is trying to do is provide the very best care it can for veterans.