ELIZABETH WARREN: Good afternoon and welcome to the first Personnel subcommittee hearing of the 118th Congress. I am pleased to welcome all of you here to this
subcommittee, i m pleased to represent t defenseealth program and its contribions to the health andedical for the department. i m speaking today in advance of the relief of the president proposes fiscal year 2024 budget. major activities unfolding in the milita health system that will inform our soon to be released budget proposal. the tional defen authorization act for 2017 enacted sweeping refms. the expanded responsibily of the defense health agency are now largely completed. the dha exercises, direction and contro worwide. will pride fuher details on spefic initiatives tt the dha underking. these to resucture or realign pport e department readiness requirement. howeve in fiscal year 23, plac a one-yearoratorm on anchanges or configurations. as requested, were preparing an upde to congress on the way aheain the coming months. the na also included and further military personnel reductions. together, we are updating our medical requirement. we are conducting a
companies and more including charter communications. charter is proud to be necked as one of the best internet providers and we re just getting started building 100,000 miles of new infrastructure to reach those who need it most. chaer communications supports c-span as public service along wh these other television providers giving you a front-row seat to democracy. and now to a hearing on issues facing the military s health insurance program, including rising costs and lack of providers. from the senate appropriations subcommittee on defense, this is just over an hour 20 minutes. call this hearing to order. good morning, all. welcome, dr. martin lopez, general crosland, admiral dingell. i want di in dingle. and this is the first time briefing this committee and we look forward to hearing your brief. i also want to recognize ed miller gillingham who is retiring later this month. i think thank you for your service isn t quite adequate. we appreciate everything you
we look forward to hearing your brief. i also want to recognize edwin gilliam. i think thank you for your service isn t quite adequate. we appreciate everything you ve done over your career to keep this country the greatest country on earth. we wish you much luck in the next phase of your life and just know that maine or montana are great places to retire to. the defense health program accounts for roughly 39 billion dollars or 5% of the budget. charged with providing health care services to 9.6 million service members and their families and retirees through tricare. its mission also includes managing the resource program and i want with knowledge that the agency has not been immune from in the national health care industry. these include escalating cost, shortfall of providers. i hear from service members in montana it is not working for them in rural america. today, i want to have a candid discussion about the delivery of health care. the defense budget has enjoyed robust
reporter: on facebook, this former sailor said, he was so freaking happy, when he found out he was assigned to the carrier not far from his home. but soon he says weekend trips home became an escape from the carrier. with a year left, he tried to make an appointment with the ship psychologist, only to find out it was a six-month wait. this could be a reason why these deaths are occurring. reporter: and what did they say? i was met with the same negative feedback. reporter: within the last 12 months, the crew of the uss george washington has experienced seven deaths among its members. at least four of those by suicide. sailors say the navy brought in mental health resources after three of those suicides occurred in one week in april. one of those sailors who died by suicide was xavier sander, who was just a year out of high school. his father says he will always be the family hero. he loved his job.