Patty Murray

In light of that, it is more important than ever that we make sure all of our programs are running as cost-effectively as possible.

I believe it is absolutely critical that we invest our Federal education funding carefully and wisely.

Thank you Chairman Harkin, Ranking Member Enzi, and members of the committee, for holding this hearing.

I am particularly concerned about heavy-handed marketing targeted at the homeless and our veterans, two populations I have long been an advocate for.

I would also like to thank Senators Patty Murray and Dick Durbin for their ongoing championship of global health.

Therefore, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists joins with the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to urge this subcommittee to increase Federal funding to a minimum of $30…

Still, I am still very concerned about the health and welfare of our service members with visible and invisible wounds.

I have another question for Secretary Gates, but I think all of us are watching this very closely...

I am committed to giving our servicemembers every resource they need to bring a quick and decisive end to the Taliban and the other insurgent forces.

But I just heard you say in your opening remarks that the President would veto any appropriations with the C-17 funding.

It is critical for veterans in these communities that we get these up and running as soon as possible.

I think one of the major important initiatives of the Office of Rural Health is to really determine--to move that away from being case by case.

Should there be guidelines?

I have been working with the VA, as you know, to open new contract clinics in three of our underserved communities in my State, Omak, Republic, and Colville, so that those local veterans can get easier access.

I am really concerned about the impact of that potential change on services like laboratory or dialysis providers.

So is this on a case-by-case basis or are there guidelines?

Despite the efforts the VA has made to increase access to rural veterans... there are a lot of gaps still with our rural veterans.

The fiscal year 2011 budget includes $250 million to improve access to care in rural areas.

I have heard stories of veterans, as I said in my opening remarks, traveling for hours for routine care, and I hear a lot about dental appointments, as well, for folks.

A change this large I think ought to be phased in so we can have a smooth transition process.

I want to thank our witnesses, all of them who are here today, as well. I look forward to hearing your testimony.

And you have the resources you need to do that?

I just want to make sure we're not pressuring people to stay on the job when they should be taking----

I think it's very important that the people who are regulating the facilities understand the facilities and be able to talk to the people in like ways.

It's hard to do when BP won't come to the table and be a part of the discussion.