I thank the Chairman. I will try to be brief Mr. Chairman. I would encourage our colleagues if they can put their opening statements on the record, I wish they would do that, rather than giving them so we can get right to the witnesses.
The one take away I have so far is innovation is expensive. We've known that. Every time we innovate a new therapy, a new drug, a new device, there’s a recovery cost and many times it’s government that drives it up because we lengthen the approval ti...
Good morning, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for holding this important hearing. Thank you to our witnesses today. Your insights into VA mental health programs will be tremendously helpful to the Committee.
I would particularly like to welcome Sue Selke and Valerie Pallotta. Thank you for your willingness to share your sons' tragic experiences with us, which are no doubt painful to recount. Also, welcome to Vincent and Jona Vanata. Thank you for sharing your story with the Committee, which I'm sur...
U.S. Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), John McCain (R-AZ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Joe Manchin (D-WV) today introduced The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, legislation that offers several critical measures that would improve mental health care and suicide prevention resources for American service members. The bill would require a third-party evaluation of existing suicide prevention programs at the Department of Defense (DoD) and...
Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the publication of final regulations that will implement the "Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012," the landmark law authored by Senator Richard Burr that ensures health care for Camp Lejeune contamination victims. Two publications are being released -- one to address the care of veterans affected by the contaminated water at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and the second to reimburse the expenses r...
U.S. Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA), co-chairs of the Senate Military Family Caucus, praised the unanimous Senate passage of a resolution recognizing the patriotism and contributions of veterans service organizations' (VSO) women's auxiliaries.
"Auxiliaries, made up of generations of women, are the heart of our nation's quiet but devoted network that provide support to veterans and they should be recognized for their hard work and sacrifices," said Senator Richar...
Good morning, Mr. Chairman. I would like to welcome and thank Secretary McDonald and Acting Inspector General Griffin for being here. Today, the Committee is holding another hearing on the "State of VA Healthcare" specifically focusing on the final IG report, released last month, on the problems found at the Phoenix Healthcare System.
Since our last hearing on the “State of VA Healthcare,” Congress has moved forward on historic legislation that will improve access to healthca...
