Is to see to it that veterans get world cap worldclass health care and they get it in a timely way. However we do that the important thing is to get it done. We had some bumps i have met with some of our private contractors and i appreciate those meetings and their confidence in the job that they can do. They may not have been cooperating before. See to it that the two are working seamlessly and if they cant, they will never work. You have to understand their contracts are not just subject to their performance for the veterans but their willingness to work cooperatively. There are some who do not like the nonhealth care v. A. Provisions anyway. They will have to get used to it. We will make this thing work and we will not put a square peg in a round hole. Today, the hearing is important to your report from the v. A. And contractors and later from the v is so vsos they risked their lives for each and everyone of us to be here today we can expect no less at the get the best health care.
We have a vote on the floor which should be over in the next ten minutes. I will talk a little bit and tell you what i want you to know. I will start with testimony from sloan gibson. Make the note that his staff said that was okay. I want to take extra time because this is an important hearing. Last year culminating with the passage of the veterans choice bill problems in raleigh, denver come orlando and answers that were in completed for understandable reasons. Just left about a year early. Gone as well. There was a transition. There is no excuse for the plethora of problems, and the transition should have been much better, but was not. Va demonstrated that they were finally listening. All i was hearing was nothing but stonewall until finally sloan walked into the hearing, pulled out a new rule to make the number of miles driven which i think everyone in this committee appreciates and agrees with. I believe we are satisfactorily working toward the care you need. It will happen in the
Thought. So explain your logic in terms of not allowing them to make that choice than elves. We have spent a great deal of time talking about this. One of the things for us to keep in mind is that 81 of the veterans we provide care for have Medicare Medicaid or some form of private Health Insurance. Oftentimes what you see today, you mention this fact earlier that the veterans have given the option for toys and somewhat elect to stay in and that is precisely what happens today. Roughly half of 40 to 50 depending on whos the survey you are listening to. I would tell you my perspective part of those are deciding to stay because they are getting great care and they enjoy the camaraderie with other veterans, they have continuity of care because they have been receiving care for a long time and others come there because they have an economic and others come there. So they have 20 copay for a procedure and you look at that colonoscopy or whatever it happens to be where the Knee Replacement w
Affairs adviser for concerned veterans for america. Joseph violante, National Legislative director of disabled american veterans. Mr. Bill raush who is missing in action right now. Or awol. Political director for iraq and afghanistan veterans of america, and carlos fuentes, senior legislative associate for the veterans of foreign wars. Well start with you, mr. Butler. Chairman, Ranking Member blumenthal, and distinguished members of the committee, on behalf of our national commander, michael ham, and the 2. 3 million members of the American Legion, we thank you for this opportunity to testify regarding the American Legions views of the progress of the veterans Choice Program. The American Legion supported the veterans access choice and accountability act of 2014 as a means of addressing emerging problems within the department of veterans affairs. Va wait times for appointment medical care had reached an unacceptable level nationwide as veterans struggle to receive access to Timely Heal
Serviceconnected disability compensation, safe and High Quality Health Care and prompt access to earned benefits. It demands that in dealing with the department of Veterans Affairs, veterans be treated with the dignity and professionalism that is earned through Honorable Service to our nation. The need for oversight is crucial. But it is the need for accountability that is paramount. Speaking directly to th must set the example. True leaders lay out clear expectations, putst others in positions to succeed, they follow through, and most importantly hold themselvess accountable for their actions of the follow me. That is the motto of the infantry. Yet those word can be easily translated to okayizational leadership at va. When there is a mission to be accomplished those who put themselves on the line are the leaders that others want to follow. And, it iacs a lack of accountability that corrodes trust within a chain of command. That said, an undeniable, widespread, simtic lack of accountab