Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

I appreciate your holding this legislative hearing. Today, we will examine six different legislative proposals that seek to improve the delivery of health care for our Nation’s veterans.

This year our Subcommittee has placed renewed focus on the mental health concerns of veterans by holding a series of hearings aimed at better understanding the unique mental health needs of America’s heroes. One of the bills we will consider today is H.R. 5554, the Veterans Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Act of 2008, which Chairman Michaud and I introduced in March in a true bipartisan effort.

H.R. 5554 would require each VA medical facility to provide ready access to comprehensive care for substance use disorders.   This bill would also direct VA to conduct a pilot program for internet-based substance use disorder treatment for veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF). 

This new generation of veterans is comfortable with computers and this program will allow VA to reach them by utilizing new and innovative technology. Hopefully, this will also help overcome the stigma that prevents many military personnel in need from seeking services.

It is important to remember that substance use disorders can be treated and recovery is possible.  That is why it is critically important that we understand the nature of substance use disorder among our veterans and effectively break the barriers that prevent veterans from obtaining treatment services. 

In addition to H.R. 5554, we will also be considering H.R. 5622, the Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act. This legislation was introduced by my colleague and fellow Representative from Florida, Ms. Brown-Waite.

H.R. 5622 would create a pilot program aimed at making the standard access to care for a veteran seeking primary care 30 days from the date the veteran contacts the VA.  If unable to meet this timeline, VA would be required to provide care at a non-VA facility. The veteran would then have a choice whether or not he or she would want to continue care at a VA facility.

Ensuring that veterans seeking health care receive the necessary services in a timely manner has long been a priority both of mine and this Subcommittee. As such, I support Ms. Brown-Waite in her efforts to set appropriate standards for access to care to guarantee veterans needing help are not forced to wait unreasonable and lengthy periods of time before seeing a health care professional.

Finally, I would like to thank our esteemed Chairman and my other colleagues for bringing forward important legislative proposals that we will also consider today. 

Additionally, I thank the representatives from the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Vietnam Veterans of America; and Dr. Cross from the VA for joining us this morning to discuss these and other legislative proposals.

Our Subcommittee has always worked in a bipartisan manner and I look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Michaud and the other Members of this Committee to ensure that our veterans receive the very best care possible.  

Thank you Mr. Chairman, and I yield back.