Thank you everyone for coming today. 

The Veterans Health Administration’s mission is to provide patient centered health care that is comparable with or better than care available in the non-VA sector.  To do this, VHA must have a viable health care workforce that is competent, well trained and happy. 

Over the past five years, VA has built a reputation of delivering health care efficiently and effectively.  VA has been touted as the “best care anywhere” and the Department has been recognized on numerous occasions for health care quality and patient satisfaction. 

However, in order to carry that banner forward, careful planning and efficient processes must be put into the system to ensure continued success. 

We know that VA’s workforce is aging with an average age of 48.6 years.  We know that at the end of 2012 a significant percentage of the employees will be eligible to retire.

This Subcommittee has held many hearings that examined the appropriateness and quality of care and treatment that veterans receive within the health care system. 

This hearing today will focus on the human resource challenges that VHA must address in order to ensure there will not be a gap in the expertise and quality of care provided to veterans. 

The committee realizes that this is a complex issue.  But we also recognize that it is an important one that deserves serious thought and consideration.

Thank you again for coming today.