I would like to thank everyone for coming today.

Today’s legislative hearing is an opportunity for the VSOs, the VA and other interested parties to provide their views on and discuss draft legislation within the Subcommittee’s jurisdiction in a clear and orderly process. 

I do not necessarily agree or disagree with the draft bills before us today, but I believe that this is an important part of the legislative process that will encourage frank discussions and new ideas.

We have four draft bills before us today.  These draft bills:

• Expand VA’s authority to provide mental health treatment for family members
• Prohibit the collection of copayments from catastrophically disabled veterans
• Authorize non-profit research and education corporations in the Department of Veterans Affairs
• Establish seven “Consolidated Patient Accounting Centers” to facilitate 3rd party collections in the Department of Veterans Affairs

I understand that the fourth bill that I mentioned (on the establishment of Consolidated Patient Accounting Centers) was not ready until yesterday and I do not expect our witnesses to have prepared statements on this bill.  We would, however, appreciate it if the witnesses would provide their views on this bill for the record.

I look forward to hearing the views of our witnesses on the draft legislation before us.