Thank you Mr. Chairman.

I appreciate your holding this hearing today to examine the many challenges VA faces in hiring and keeping health care workers.

Health care workers are the front line of VA health care.  Every day they care for our service members who have honorably served our country.  And the high quality of health care available to our veterans is dependent on the ability of VA to recruit and retain qualified health care personnel.

One of the most pressing problems we face as a nation is the marked shortage of virtually all health care workers.  This includes, among others, nurses, physicians, physician assistants, psychologists, pharmacists, and physical and occupational therapists. 

Competition for these and other health care personnel is intense and VA must aggressively vie with the private sector to bring the very best staff into the VA system.   

To do that, VA must effectively use innovative recruitment tools and offer a good work environment with educational opportunities.

The VA health care system has been recognized for the significant benefit of its use of electronic medical records and focus on preventative care.  And, to make sure that our veterans continue to receive the best care, it is critical that it is also seen as the workplace of choice. 

I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today to learn about issues they see and ideas they have for improving VA’s ability to recruit and retain a first-class health care workforce. 

Thank you Mr. Chairman and I yield back the balance of my time.