Thank you all for coming. I want to thank our panelists for what is going to be a very important hearing. The rules will be that i will make some opening remarks, senator burr, the Ranking Member will make opening remarks, members will have three minutes, and i will keep people to three minutes because it will be a long hearing it, and that we will go to secretary shinseki, and the undersecretary. Excellent second panel and a very good third panel as well. It will be a long hearing, and we will get through it. Let me begin by just making a few basic points. Serious allegations have v. A. Personnelt in phoenix and other locations. I take these allegations seriously, as i know every member of the committee does, which is why i have supported an thependent investigation of v. A. Inspector general, and they are in phoenix doing a thorough investigation, and my hope is the report will be done as soon as possible. What i have stated and i will repeat right now, is that as soon as that report
Chairman, for holding this hearing. I certainly echoed the concerns of my colleagues and the need for structural and systemwide changes. Healthcare system is a promise that we made to americas veterans that we will take care of them in return for their service and sacrifice. The close to 10 million veterans that access care through the v. A. Systems need to trust that they are receiving high quality care when they need it, and i do note that 10 million veterans signed up for the healthcare huge here that is greater than the population of a number of states, including the state of hawaii. When we fail to provide proper care for our veterans, we not only fail them, but their families as well, and these families have also sacrifice for our nations security, and provide essential care and support for our veterans. While the immediate focus might be on the phoenix case and similar allegations regarding a hospitals,ther v. A. It is important to see what is happening systematically at the v.
Sections of 706 to adopt such rules, even while it found the portions of the 2010 or net order were beyond the scope of our authority. In response, i promptly stated that we would reinstate rules that achieve the goals of the 2010 order using section 706based roadmap laid out the court. That is what we are proposing to do today. Section 706 is one of two principal methods proposed to accomplish the goals of an open internet. Today we are seeking input on both sections 706 and title ii of the communications act. We are specifically asking for input as to the benefits of each and why one might be preferable to the other. We have established a lengthy comment and reply period to allow everyone the opportunity for debate. Mr. Clyburn made an observation, a personal point. I would like to make a personal point as a former entrepreneur and venture capitalist. I know the importance of openness firsthand. As an entrepreneur, i have had products and Services Shut out of closed Cable Networks. A
Of their inalennable aalienable right to get 30rate mortgage. Think feelings like that are zapping some of the current momentum. Anymore. O crisis wondering about the begin is the major constituencies agency,ederal finance wall street, the banking industry, fair housing advocates are there others that i accompliced . Homeowners. Basically, the federal Housing Finance agency is a very agency. Mel watt is very powerful because he doesnt answer to a board or commission or the president. Hes an independent regulator. The policies that he sets governing the mortgages that and freddie mac affect about 2 3 of american mortgages. Thats how many mortgages are freddieby fannie and now in the market. So if he puts in place a policy that might change Mortgage Rates or might mean you cant get a bigger or smaller loan, thats going to affect people who are to buy a house. Its difficult for the public to react to his speech. Other constituencies have voices. How good they react to the things he laid o
Now, the chairmans opening remarks, he was correct. We are not here to analyze a poll that was taken about the va. But we are here rather to look at the investigations that have already taken place, and addressed certain deficiencies within the veterans system that no action was taken on, or at least not corrective action. In fiscal year 2013, the reported 93 of specialty primarycare appointments and 95 of Mental Health appointments were made within 14 days of the patients or providers desired date. At first glance, these numbers appear to demonstrate that veterans are receiving the care they want and when they want it. However, we know this is not the case. I think if va had asked hard questions regarding these statistics, we would not be here today discussing recent allegations surrounding many va facilities. More specifically, we are here to discuss when Senior Leadership in the department became aware that local va employees were manipulating wait times to show that veterans do not