Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I appreciate you holding this hearing today to discuss the Department of Veterans’ Affairs protocols and procedures following patient claims of mental health effects while participating in the VA Cooperative Studies Program #519, “Smoking Cessation Treatment for Veterans with PTSD.”

While the goal of CSP #519, smoking cessation, is critical to the overall health of our veterans, there are several aspects of concern.  Among these concerns are that accurate informed consent was not obtained from all participants and those already enrolled in CSP #519 were not informed of possible serious side effects as new information from the FDA became available.  

It is important to provide all information necessary regarding participation in such studies, and not doing so is simply unacceptable.  While studies and tests are necessary for improving care, our veterans should never be subjects unwittingly.

Under your leadership, this committee has made caring for the mental health of our veterans a top priority.  We have repeatedly witnessed the serious needs of veterans at risk for suicide, and we must remain vigilant to treat these veterans with the highest quality of care available. 

Our nation’s veterans have served honorably to protect us and our country.  The least we can do is fight for them when they come home.

I yield back the balance of my time.