Ron Johnson

So it is obviously after the fact. It is more of an auditing process and really more statistics-based. Am I correct?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Let me pick up on that point in terms of fraud rate with Mr. Serino.

Maybe FEMA is being asked to deal with too many situations that do not really constitute an emergency or a disaster.

As a small government proponent, I am always looking at where the government is more effective.

The free market itself would force the information.

The numbers we came up with, rather than an annual cost for Obamacare of $93 billion, it's closer to almost a trillion dollars a year.

Currently, about the only reason that we're able to reduce cost to providers is because we have a huge amount of cost sharing.

Until we reconnect that, until we re-induce the free market system which, by the way, guarantees, what, the lowest possible price and cost, the highest possible level of quality, the highest possible level of customer service, we're just…

But the second point is to me that shows that there's a pretty receptive audience for structural reform because when you have no expectations of getting a benefit, you probably welcome the fact that if we reform these programs, make them…

Certainly, as I traveled around the State of Wisconsin, when I ask younger people what do you expect to get out of Social Security and Medicare, younger people-- unfortunately for me, that's people probably 50 and under-- without…

When they first started this program back in 1965, they projected out 25 years and said that by 1990 Medicare would cost $12 billion. In fact, it ended up costing $109 billion, basically nine times the original estimate.

I have joined 42 senators, 21 Republicans and 20 Democrats and 1 Independent, in asking the Select Committee to go big.

If we keep putting off dealing with Medicare's $38 trillion in unfunded liabilities, there will be severe consequences for the country.

I have come to develop a high regard and respect for him as not only a smart senator but as a senator who very much likes and wants to do things in a bipartisan way.

I believe it is important for both the VA and IHS to appear together routinely to update everyone on how a more collaborative partnership will enhance services for Native American vets.

Telemedicine offers great promise in closing the gap in services in remote areas and lowering healthcare costs.

When do you believe these will be worked out?

We need a lot of straightening out.

Is it true that the Native American saying that 'you better get sick through June or it is all over with' still holds true?

One major concern that I have has been outreach to educate vets on reservations as to what benefits they are entitled.

In the Senate appropriations bill for fiscal year 2012, we have included $800,000 as requested to support the establishment of your office.

I look forward to continuing this dialogue as the VA and IHS move forward, creating a meaningful partnership.

It is important that the VA communicate with the tribes, and I appreciate the creation of the OTGR.

I mean, I think it's extremely important. Again, I just want to underline how incredibly important this is to, just, economic development.

I am happy to join my three Senate colleagues from Wisconsin and Minnesota in cosponsoring this bill.