▶ 0:16:11Chair Moran And: Good morning. What did we do? Commander, I need an explanation, what did I do wrong? >> you rap to the gavel and for us that is to stand three times.
▶ 0:16:33Chair Moran: There we go, a fourth one. Thank you for the explanation with the sound of the gavel, I called his hearing to order this morning. Good morning and welcome to everyone. I would like to thank the chairman along with ranking members blumenthal and the rest of my senate house colleagues in joining us in the final joint hearing between the house and senate committees on veterans affairs in the year of 2026.
▶ 0:17:06Chair Moran: And I want to specifically welcome commanded dan wiley and his wife from my home state of kansas along with the leaders of the other veteran services organizations who will testify later this morning. I would also like to extend a special hello is my colleagues will do for their home states but particularly with commander wiley as the lead witness today, and I want to express my gratitude to the kansans present who are watching at home and have been in my office numerous times including this week.
▶ 0:17:38Chair Moran: I appreciate their presence in the room, and I am grateful for my relationship I have with american legion members across my state. I am grateful for the work that veteran service organizations do every day to support veterans and their families, caregivers and survivors to advocate for timely and high quality health care and benefits that they have earned and deserved.
▶ 0:18:01Chair Moran: The work we do in these committees would not be possible without the tireless work and dedication of organizations like the ones here today and the ones we will be hearing from this morning. I look forward to hearing from commander wiley and his leaders about how your legislative priorities advance veteran success and what more these committees with the committee that I chair and the others can do to make certain that v.a.
▶ 0:18:30Chair Moran: Policies translate into real improvements in the well-being of veterans that we are all here to serve. With the commander from kansas' presence, I would like to take a side note and express my appreciation and gratitude for everyone's service. I am not a veteran and this is what -- not what I normally say at a hearing in this room. I was in high school when vietnam was occurring.
▶ 0:18:57Chair Moran: I watched what happened when you, those who served in vietnam, returned home and how they were treated. If you are a year older than I am and two older -- two years older than I am you served in vietnam. I saw how my classmates at home in kansas were treated upon their return following their service, their honorable service in vietnam.
▶ 0:19:23Chair Moran: I told myself as a 16-year-old kid I will do everything to pay my respects and honor those who serve. I never expected fellow kansans to be a member of congress and served in the house of representatives and in the united states senate. With that responsibility came doing something more than saying thank you. Something more than ims -- than I respect you.
▶ 0:19:48Chair Moran: I take it seriously, as do members of this committee and house of representatives, republicans and democrats, we take it seriously to make certain we do the things that keep our promises to those who served in vietnam and elsewhere around the globe and in the united states. And so I am honored to have the opportunity to be here with fellow kansans, now the national commander of the american legion.
▶ 0:20:14Chair Moran: I yield to the ranking member, senator blumenthal for his opening statement.
▶ 0:20:20Sen. Blumenthal: Thank you, Mr. chairman, and to commander wiley and the american legion leadership who are here today. And I am a proud member in connecticut and we have some connecticut members here. Welcome and thank you for visiting with me yesterday. Your perspectives and advocacy are invaluable. So what we do. You are the reason we have the pac act today.
▶ 0:20:52Sen. Blumenthal: Yesterday I went to the floor of the united states senate and asked for unanimous consent to pass a major richard starr act. Unfortunately -- [applause] unfortunately, it was stopped. I asked for a simple vote on the bill before august. It was blocked as well.
▶ 0:21:25Sen. Blumenthal: The individual senator blocking unanimous consent is part of a small minority in the united states senate, and the vast bipartisan majority of my colleagues to support the richard starr act, because they know that it is unacceptable that tens of thousands of combat injured veterans are denied the full military benefits they deserve.
▶ 0:21:55Sen. Blumenthal: The chairman just talked about promises. Promises are meaningless unless they are kept. We made a promise to these veterans that they would receive both retirement and disability benefits. We owe them both, and I promise you that I will not stop fighting until we passed the richard starr act in this congress.
▶ 0:22:20Sen. Blumenthal: [applause] and, I want to add that support for it is bipartisan and I think the chairman, senator moran for his support as well as others on this committee including the house ranking member.
▶ 0:22:45Sen. Blumenthal: Yesterday, the new york times published an article entitled " despite promises veterans affairs department cut thousands of roles for doctors and nurses." in fact, thousands of positions have been left vacant. The numbers of doctors and nurses positions has declined. By significant percentages.
▶ 0:23:08Sen. Blumenthal: Which is a disservice to all of you here, and the many veterans around the united states who depend on the v.a. For their medical care. At our hearing last month, secretary call and said that the v.a. Needs more doctors, and yet he has eliminated thousands of physician jobs. We need your help and advocacy.
▶ 0:23:31Sen. Blumenthal: We need your voices and faces, which is why it is so important you are here today, so that we can maintain, restore, and even grow the numbers of doctors, nurses, counselors, psychiatrists, all of the team at v.a. Health care that is so important to making sure that we have sufficient workforce to serve the needs of our veterans.
▶ 0:24:01Sen. Blumenthal: Our veterans deserve nothing less land the best, world-class medicine. Thank you all for being here today.
▶ 0:24:08Chair Moran: Senator blumenthal, thank you. Representative.
▶ 0:24:14Rep. Cook: Talk -- Rep. takano: it is truly great to see all of you here, and I am sure that my fellow members of congress and americans are tuning in to hear from you. I thank the veterans who have traveled here today, including those from california, where are you. Thank you california and welcome and a welcome to everyone from the american legion.
▶ 0:24:43Rep. Cook: I would like to welcome american legion national commander dan wiley of kansas. Commander wiley, you and I had personal conversations about how I spent time in lawrence, kansas one summer. The auxiliary national president and sons of the american legion national commander bill clancy of new york, and I offer a hearty welcome to the representatives from all the organizations on our second panel of witnesses.
▶ 0:25:15Rep. Cook: Very good to see all of you and I look forward to hearing -- engaging and enlightening conversation. Two weeks ago, secretary collins published a rule to cut disability compensation benefits whose service conducted -- service conditions were helped by medication. Many of you today, secretary collins paused enforcement and eventually rescinded the rule.
▶ 0:25:42Rep. Cook: Senator blumenthal and I led them in congress against the rule and republican colleagues are unable to join us. Protecting veterans benefits should be a bipartisan stand and my veterans -- and my colleagues across the aisle should be able to stand with us. In addition to the harmful -- harmful interim final rule, the v.a. Is carrying out a massive reorganization of the veterans health administration.
▶ 0:26:13Rep. Cook: This effort warns bipartisan oversight. The v.a. Does need improvement, no doubt. But leadership appears to try and align v.a. With for-profit health care. The v.a. Is not a business, and it should not mirror business models. Following that business mindset, this v.a. Aims to "do more with less." that approach has never serve veterans in my opinion.
▶ 0:26:43Rep. Cook: The data suggest that the v.a. Is already struggling with less. "the new york times" reported yesterday that they cut thousands of clinical positions that were filled before the administration and doge started pushing staff out. The v.a. Told us that these were unneeded covid era positions. But the data tells us that that is not true.
▶ 0:27:07Rep. Cook: As was reported by the new york times, about 73 percent of a 10,000 500 vacant positions eliminated were filled just sometime in 2025 or 2026. Well after the covid era. These were recent vacancies, and rather than filling them, secretary collins wipes those clinical positions off of the books, clinical positions at the medical center said that they needed.
▶ 0:27:39Rep. Cook: Expanding care and benefits for veterans requires people, doctors and nurses, claims processes, social workers, police officers and support staff. All of these roles help the v.a. Fulfill its mission. I know each of you sees the value in securing care and improving the v.a. Because each of you has served and you continue to serve your fellow veterans.
▶ 0:28:04Rep. Cook: When you raised your hand and put on that uniform, you set yourself a part. That commitment came with the promise that you and your family would be taken care of afterwards. You fulfilled your duty and we must fulfill ours. We sit here days after president trump committed our nation's most precious resource, men and women in uniform to another conflict. Several service members have already been killed and wounded.
▶ 0:28:34Rep. Cook: Servicemembers are carrying out difficult and dangerous missions far from home and deserve the full support of a grateful nation. That support cannot end when they take off the uniform. So, I ask has this administration planned and budgeted for the long term because of this conflict? Is the v.a. Prepared to perform a lifetime of medical care, mental health services, prosthetics and caregiver support to the new generation of wartime veterans.
▶ 0:29:04Rep. Cook: President trump in this republican congress have added $150 billion for the department of defense and the so-called big beautiful bill. It did not include a sense for the v.a.. If this administration is willing to send americans into harms way, it must be willing to fully fund and strengthen the v.a. System that will care for them for decades. That means cap -- passing the caring for survivors act and the love lives on act. And that means passing the major richard star act as well.
▶ 0:29:34Rep. Cook: [applause] just a little bit of history, I was chairman of the house side of the committee when I passed the bluewater -- vietnam blue water navy bill out of the house for the second time, unanimously. And, why I had to do it the second time was that the previous chairman, the republican chairman past it also unanimously as well.
▶ 0:30:02Rep. Cook: But procedures in the senate blocked it a couple of senators, they just ran out the clock at the end of the session. Look, the politics in both houses, it is procedure that is stopping the major richard starr act. It is the will of the majority of both houses of congress and I will be damped if we allow procedure to stand in the way of passing the major richard starr act, and you should be damped as well, keep the pressure on.
▶ 0:30:30Rep. Cook: With that, senator blumenthal, yesterday he went to the floor to ask for a vote on the bill and shamefully it was blocked, procedure again. In objecting to vote, editor ron johnson of wisconsin lamented how much it would cost arguing that we needed to prioritize funding for ongoing defense capabilities. I say this is unconscionable and we are talking about compensation for combat injured veterans and this is a cost of war.
▶ 0:31:01Rep. Cook: And as we sit here watching the president drag us into another conflict we must reckon with the long lasting impact of that on service members and their families. Paying for the true cost in war means investing in the v.a. Now. Mr. chair, I thank you for bringing these organizations before us and I look forward to fruitful discussions and I yield back.
▶ 0:31:23Chair Moran: Thank you. I now have the honor of introducing a kansan and the friend, a national commander of the -- commander of the american legion. He has a long history of serving veterans, particularly in the neighborhood of his home town of leavenworth, kansas. He has also been a trusted advisor to me on issues impacting veterans at home and across the country.
▶ 0:31:49Chair Moran: He served his nation and the united states air force, and following his service he attained a law degree from the university of kansas. He said he has a k state fan. He used his skills to establish the web -- leavenworth county treatment court and was a just -- district judge and use that opportunity to find a new way to care for veterans to appear before his and other courts and leavenworth and across our state. During his service with the legion, he has done it all.
▶ 0:32:21Chair Moran: He has held 24 different positions, making certain that veterans have a friend who will listen to them and advocate for him. I have seen them in my own circumstance at pancake feeds and american legion events in my hometown and across the state as he has been there for every veteran of our state.
▶ 0:32:41Chair Moran: Dan, like many veterans have faced his own challenges and hurdles after service but rather than hide were shy away, yes shared challenges openly letting veterans know that they are not alone. I respect stand for being vulnerable and honest about mental health and using his experience to reach out to veterans. As national commander he has a strong advocate for the american legion's be the one campaign to prevent veteran suicide.
▶ 0:33:11Chair Moran: Thank you for working to extend hope to veterans who are struggling with their mental health, and helping reduce the stigma around asking for help. Outside the american legion he is very involved in his community, back home where he has worn many different hats, helping organize and be the master of ceremonies at the leavenworth county veterans day parade to serving on his local board of education.
▶ 0:33:37Chair Moran: Commander wiley, you have been a friend to me and veterans and I have no doubt that your vision and experience is strengthening the vision of the american legion making sure that the voices are heard and their needs are met with honor and respect. I thank you for those things in your dedication for serving veterans in kansas and across the country and for being here to testify today. I appreciate your family's sacrifice for your service in this capacity.
▶ 0:34:06Chair Moran: And I look forward to working together on our shared mission of improving the lives of veterans across the country and back home and our home state. With that, you are now recognized.
▶ 0:34:16Mr. Wiley: Thank you for that kind introduction. Thank you chairman moran, ranking member blumenthal, ranking member thune kano and distinguished members of these committees.
▶ 0:34:30Mr. Wiley: On behalf of the 2.5 million members of the american legion family, I rep -- I appreciate the opportunity to discuss our opportunities and I would like to begin by introducing the members of the american legion family who are here with me today. Please stand if you are able as I recognize you, our national officers serving with me this year. Please stand.
▶ 0:35:00Mr. Wiley: Our past national commanders, please stand. William clancy iii national commander of the sons of the american legion. And, my daughter, my son, and his wife with their son and my grandson, noah. And of course the most important person in the room without a doubt, my wife, sonja. Thank you.
▶ 0:35:30Mr. Wiley: [applause] our written testimony contains our complete list of legislative goals, and they are all important. With limited time, however, I will focus on several critical issues. This is a pivotal time for our country. Recent military action reminds us of the cost of service.
▶ 0:35:59Mr. Wiley: Shouldered by a shrinking minority of american families. In our all volunteer force, military service has become a family business. And while the average time of uniform is four to eight years, the cost could potentially last a lifetime. As we mark the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding, it is essential that we examine those costs, and make sure that they are paid in full.
▶ 0:36:31Mr. Wiley: That is precisely why congress chartered the american legion after world war I. To promote a strong national defense, encourage civic education, and to create a community of veterans to support one another whose voices are heard by our nation's leaders. Since 1919, the legion has been instrumental in landmark changes like the g.I.
▶ 0:36:55Mr. Wiley: Bill, creation of the modern v.a., appeals modernization and the mission act. We created programs like the american legion child well-being foundation, legacy scholarships, and boy's nation. Our mission, every single day, is to serve those who served us. At the post level, legionnaires serve their communities in times of crisis.
▶ 0:37:27Mr. Wiley: Just last year, after the traffic floods in texas, legion post 208 provided urgently needed resources for those who had lost everything, and served as a relief point for aid workers who came from across the country. American legion service officers assist veterans with disability claims and in 20 25 alone, processed 29.5 billion in claims for veterans.
▶ 0:37:56Mr. Wiley: This was free of charge, regardless of whether they were members of the american legion or not. Nationally we partner with v.a. On the buddy check week, and be the one campaign to reduce stigma, provide critical training and, ultimately, save lives. Our system and regional office review programs provide policymakers with on the ground feedback regarding health care and benefits.
▶ 0:38:28Mr. Wiley: And, we have continued to work with congress to ensure that while the administration seeks bold change, there is no reduction in accessibility of services and benefits to any veteran or their family. Just two weeks ago, the american legion spoke against the rule that would propel -- that would change the way that v.a. Grades a veteran's disability based on medicine management.
▶ 0:38:59Mr. Wiley: We were glad that secretary collins ultimately rescinded the rule. We will remain vigilant and give you all of our feedback on what is working, and what needs to change. The legion's number one priority is ending veteran suicide. The v.a. Estimates that more than 17 veterans die every day by suicide. Traditional approaches to this problem, pills and therapy have objectively not worked.
▶ 0:39:30Mr. Wiley: We need stronger transition programs, innovative therapies, and improved safeguards to medication management. That is why we support things like the fox grant program, the beacon act, the written informed consent act and other bills that seek to address this problem.
▶ 0:39:50Mr. Wiley: It is also why that after a decade of legion advocacy, I was proud to be in the oval office as the president signed an executive order reclassifying cannabis as a schedule three drug. This allows for federal research on how it can reduce suicide. The american legion does not support use of illegal drugs, but we strongly support research that could result in new and effective treatments.
▶ 0:40:21Mr. Wiley: An important part of suicide prevention and ultimately the v.a. Core mission is access to timely, quality health care. And, while most veterans prefer to receive from v.a. Their care because it is a one-stop shop, community care has exploded since the passage of the mission act. Congress must provide the necessary funding to ensure that the v.a.
▶ 0:40:46Mr. Wiley: System remains strong, without curtailing a veteran's access to community care if it is in the veteran's best interest. It is a difficult balance, but one that we are committed to helping congress achieve. Ultimately, the veteran should get the care that they need when they need it. But, we must remain the center of all veteran health care the v.a..
▶ 0:41:16Mr. Wiley: As we discussed organization, the nexgen community care contract, and acceleration of electronic health record deployment, congress must also address aging infrastructure and give authorities the funding it needs to compete with the private sector job market. As we all know, the veteran population is changing and so are its needs.
▶ 0:41:41Mr. Wiley: Women's veterans, the largest growing subpopulation experience homelessness, depression, infertility, migraines and other issues at a higher rate than their male counterparts. This is attributed to military sexual trauma and domestic violence.
▶ 0:42:02Mr. Wiley: Congress should pass legislation to improve research on how issues unique to women veterans, including menopause, affect outcomes and increase the availability of gender specific rehabilitation programs. Enabling veterans to thrive in a civilian life is a huge task. Congress can make it easier by ensuring our service members do not experience financial uncertainty prior to separation.
▶ 0:42:32Mr. Wiley: When I served in the united states air force, I never worried about getting paid on the first and 15th of the month. As government shutdowns become more frequent, that is no longer guarantee it. Not long ago the legion provided over $1 million in grants to coast guard families because congress failed to inject -- to do their job and ensure they were paid on time.
▶ 0:42:57Mr. Wiley: We need ironclad protections to ensure uninterrupted pay for all service members and our all volunteer force. Finally, consider major richard starr, who deployed multiple times and was diagnosed with lung cancer linked to burn pit exposure.
▶ 0:43:17Mr. Wiley: Before his death, he endured the indignity of a wounded veteran's tax, an offset of his disability compensation against him because he was medically retired before 20 years. This is wrong.
▶ 0:43:34Mr. Wiley: [applause] collecting both benefits is not double dipping. Retirement is for time served. Disability compensation is for harm caused during service.
▶ 0:44:07Mr. Wiley: Congress must pass the bipartisan major richard starr act. [applause] chairman moran and ranking members and members of the committees, the way that america treats its veterans directly influences whether the next generation raises their right hands to define our 250 year legacy.
▶ 0:44:36Mr. Wiley: On behalf of the entire american legion family, thank you for the opportunity to share our priorities and my staff and I welcome your questions. [applause]
▶ 0:44:50Chair Moran: Thank you for your testimony. We will now turn to questions of you and your colleagues at the desk. The richard starr act, let us start there for my first question. Would you share perhaps an experience, a real-world example of a veteran and their family who would directly benefit if the major starr act was passed?
▶ 0:45:20Chair Moran: Explain how it would change the quality of their life. Give us an example of why it matters.
▶ 0:45:24Mr. Wiley: Thank you, and without naming the individual, you and I both know an individual that suffered harm while he was on active duty. He was in a gilly suit and was burned by that active-duty service. And because of that was medically retired. So he receives a medical retirement for that time in service.
▶ 0:45:50Mr. Wiley: He would not find surprising because of the burns on his body, he was entitled to disability compensation for the harm caused. However, because of the fact that he did not have the 20 years of retirement service, he has to weigh his retirement for the disability comment -- compensation he receives. And obviously this takes funds away from his family that would benefit. His family for a lifetime.
▶ 0:46:21Mr. Wiley: He has a lifetime of care and a lifetime of loss as a result of those injuries. And I appreciate the opportunity last month as I said, when we talked about the major richard starr act. You know me, I am probably more passionate than articulate.
▶ 0:46:39Mr. Wiley: To that extent it frustrates me that congress cannot get this passed when we have 316 members in the house that have signed on an approximately 75 members in the senate who signed on, and we cannot get it to a vote on the house floor.
▶ 0:46:55Mr. Wiley: The buck stops with leadership and they need to get a vote on this up or down because our veterans are entitled to know whether your congressman supports are disabled or wounded veterans or your congressman is against us, that is what we believe we are in tile builds to a vote. Thank you.
▶ 0:47:11Chair Moran: Thank you for answering my question. I would use this moment again to told you -- as I told you in our office when we last visited that I am committed to trying to do everything I can to accomplish that.
▶ 0:47:26Chair Moran: Folks in this room should know that the jurisdiction of this bill does work -- does not rest with the committee on veteran affairs but the armed services committee, but we are working with the leadership of the armed services committee to find a path forward, and I hope and I spoke yesterday on the senate floor about this topic.
▶ 0:47:45Chair Moran: And I have also spoken to my colleagues in the senate that there is no opportunity for the sponsoring of a bill that you are not willing to vote for when the time comes. Sponsoring is insufficient, we want you to do that. But when the time is right, we want to make certain that the votes occur and, there is no hypocrisy demonstrated by members of congress. You mentioned community care.
▶ 0:48:17Chair Moran: It is a topic that I have significant interest in. In large part when I was a congressman, I represented a congressional district the size of the state of illinois and not a va hospital in that district and distance was the enemy of a veteran and being able to access quality care at the ba. Would you elaborate on -- let me again say that the american legion is a strong supporter of the access act.
▶ 0:48:45Chair Moran: Senator blumenthal and I are trying to work out our differences to see that we get it passed. Would you explain the importance of the access act and why the american legion supports it?
▶ 0:48:54Mr. Wiley: Thank you for that question. Community care is an important -- is an important -- is important for our veterans. Most of our veterans are happy with the care at v.a. And they prefer that. With kansas and a lot of this country there are a lot of distance.
▶ 0:49:15Mr. Wiley: In western kansas you might be four hours from a va hospital so you have transportation issues and we have issues with regard to obtaining care from a specialist, and ultimately, we believe that the veteran should receive the care in their best interest. And we believe that this access act will provide more oversight and we need to continue to have v.a. Oversight of community care, but community care is obviously important for the best interest of our veterans. Thank you.
▶ 0:49:49Sen. Blumenthal: Thank, national commander for calling attention to some of the most pressing needs of our veterans. Obviously the richard starr act is a priority for me. Not only as the ranking member of this committee and as a member of the armed services committee. And, you have correctly identified where the point of persuasion has to be with the leadership.
▶ 0:50:17Sen. Blumenthal: The leadership of the united states senate and the house of representatives. I urge every member here, think the richard starr act ought to be passed, contact the leadership of the united states senate. And I think senator moran -- thank senator moran for his advocacy and support. I want to call attention for your advocacy on behalf of women veterans. As you said in your testimony, they are the fastest growing cohort among veterans.
▶ 0:50:49Sen. Blumenthal: They are surveying right now in harm's way in the middle east. Tragically, one of the fallen is a woman national guard member. We owe them the same kind of health care and compensation benefits that our male veterans receive.
▶ 0:51:14Sen. Blumenthal: What kinds of specific measures, if you could talk about them, would you advocate to expand the service we provide to our women veterans?
▶ 0:51:22Mr. Wiley: Thank you ranking member for that question. I appreciate your time as we had an opportunity in your office to discuss these very issues. I know they are of concern to you. Obviously, women's veterans is that single biggest growing demographic. And I can tell you that v.a. Care has improved significantly in the 30 plus years I've been a member of the american legion.
▶ 0:51:50Mr. Wiley: I visited hospitals throughout this country and we now have hospitals, we need to do a lot more, but they have some truth -- separate entrances for women's veterans and I know there are a lot of bills that impact women's veterans so I will ask our veteran affairs and rehabilitation director to expand on that answer.
▶ 0:52:09Mr. Lyle: Thank you commander and thank you ranking member budd, the american -- and thank you ranking member. We supported the saves act that would consider non-v.a. Evidence, life statements and things like that in the disability process claims as the commander alluded to.
▶ 0:52:35Mr. Lyle: Infrastructure at a lot of the v.a.'s facilities specific for women veterans residential rehabilitation programs and secure areas and facilities for them to feel safe if they have been -- if they have experienced military sexual trauma or intimate partner violence. Also, cronk -- congresswoman brownlee has a bill to expand research on menopause.
▶ 0:53:01Mr. Lyle: There is not a lot of evidence -- there is a lot of anecdotal evidence but not a lot of research on menopausal links to certain things that drive suicide. And as we know women veterans experience suicide at a much higher rate than their civilian counterparts.
▶ 0:53:17Sen. Blumenthal: That is a great answer. And I want to volunteer my services and my office on this issue and others, most especially the continuing scourge of veteran suicide and the need to expand the pact act, and the importance of recognizing the next generation to toxic exposures, very important.
▶ 0:53:49Sen. Blumenthal: And I want to just command the -- commend the american legion for a program close to my heart in connecticut. I do not know how many of the other states have it. We have a boys and girls state program, which fosters future leadership.
▶ 0:54:11Sen. Blumenthal: Young people are chosen and it is a very competitive program to participate in a nearly week long series of sessions in a usually a school location and they live in dormitories, they participate in mock senate and house sessions. I think their conversations are considerably more erudite and informed that I often find around here.
▶ 0:54:43Sen. Blumenthal: But, I just want to say to the american legion, providing the role models, fostering the leadership is so important. We need to develop our future veterans. My son, who served in the united states marine corps and an infantry officer in afghanistan and my other son served as a navy seal at you as role models. And, they in turn will be role models for others.
▶ 0:55:15Sen. Blumenthal: But you and the american legion, whatever your age, or role models for our future leadership. Thank you for being there.
▶ 0:55:24Chair Moran: So what office were you elected?
▶ 0:55:27Sen. Blumenthal: I did not participate. But my sons did and it had an impact on them.
▶ 0:55:33Chair Moran: I was quite certain I was never a senator at boy state. Representative takano.
▶ 0:55:40Rep. Takano: I did not get elected to anything either. [applause] commander wiley, one thing I heard loud and clear this month is that veteran should never be punished for following medical advice. When the v.a. Issued changes to how medication effects would be treated and disability evaluations, did the legion receive advance notice or a chance to weigh in?
▶ 0:56:08Mr. Wiley: Thank you. Again, I appreciate your time and having the opportunity to meet with you last month. The simple answer is no, and I will tell you that that is an aberration for this administration and the v.a., because we have been fortunate enough in the american legion to be advised of most things. We were not advised of this. If we had been we would have told them what we did in the end in that it was a terrible idea. We are glad that they rescinded.
▶ 0:56:39Rep. Cook: Chicano -- Rep.
▶ 0:56:43Takano: Do you think they should be brought in before these things are rolled out and trust should not be shaken?
▶ 0:56:49Mr. Wiley: Yes.
▶ 0:56:52Rep. Takano: There are several bills that will include -- improve benefits for veterans, families and psychotic -- survivors like the major richard starr act or the caring for survivors act. Commander, you have been clear that these are earned benefits and not favors.
▶ 0:57:10Rep. Takano: On bills like the major richard starr act and survivor reforms, do you agree that congress should not force veterans or survivors into a trade-off where one group's current benefit is cutting another group of veterans' benefits?
▶ 0:57:25Mr. Wiley: Yes.
▶ 0:57:27Rep. Takano: Do you think they should put the increase on veterans or the american people as a whole?
▶ 0:57:34Mr. Wiley: No, not on other veterans. There is an obligation to pay for what a veteran has earned and that is incurred in the time of service and time in harm's way. Yes the american people in government when they do that it is an obligation but not on the-soaked shoulders and other veterans.
▶ 0:57:55Rep. Takano: That was the point. I think the american people are very much willing to honor the obligation. Commander, I sponsored the pact act which is helped many veterans gain access to v.a. Benefits. Even as we were writing the act, we knew that it was only a step and there would be more work left to do in the future. Where should congress push next, and what exposures are the most urgent to address a packed act?
▶ 0:58:25Mr. Wiley: Thank you and obviously, the pact act was a mechanism for identifying future toxins that have not been adequately used. The further lab late -- elaborate I will call on lyle to answer. Mr. lyl I
▶ 0:58:46Mr. Lyl E: I will try to be brief. The mechanism existed because congress did not want to have to legislate individual conditions going forward. That process has been slow. And, sometimes the process has been opaque. If there were mandatory timelines requiring the v.a.
▶ 0:59:06Mr. Lyl E: To review presumptive conditions within 180 days, mandate some sort of external review if the presumptive's were removed or external review right after they were finalized, and then codified the presumptive's could only be removed if there is overwhelming evidence that contradicts the existing science that was used in the approval process.
▶ 0:59:32Rep. Takano: Is a secretary fully leveraging the authorities of congress to establish the presumptive's? Where could he be more assertive?
▶ 0:59:43Mr. Lyle: I think secretary collins and excuse me, secretary collins in the v.a., there are some conditions that particularly with k2 veterans that could be advanced more quickly.
▶ 0:59:59Rep. Takano: What would help better? What would be more helpful, faster presumptive decisions, clear transparency in the process or better access to exposure records so veterans are not left guessing?
▶ 1:00:15Mr. Lyle: All three. I think the dod was -- I am forgetting what the acronym stands for. But the individual record of exposures to service members while on active service that the dod can track and give to the v.a., that was supposed to be made available a year ago, and we are still waiting on that. There are definitely things that could improve in that process.
▶ 1:00:42Rep. Takano: Thank you.
▶ 1:00:43Chair Moran: Senator tillis.
▶ 1:00:46Sen. Tillis: Thank you Mr. chairman and everybody for being here. I always like for my colleagues asked from people from california or whatever state. I would like to know if we have anybody who is either from north carolina or spend a little quality time there in your past if you will please raise your hand. There you go. First off, an explanation on the bolo.
▶ 1:01:14Sen. Tillis: The lumbee tribe in north carolina got recognized after 137 years of racism, neglect and more recently the target of the car see no quartiles. -- casino cartels. They have disproportionately in spite of those challenges, among some of the most courageous and disproportionately represented people in armed services in the state of north carolina.
▶ 1:01:40Sen. Tillis: So, I am looking forward to them now that they have been federally recognized putting a mark in robison county focused on veterans and all those great native americans who have served this country in the same way that you did. Thank you for the service. As I was looking at the written testimony with my staff this week, I was trying to think about what I can do in my remaining time, 305 days.
▶ 1:02:08Sen. Tillis: Some people think I am counting the days before I am out of here, but I am a project person. And I am always mindful of how much time I have left in my budget. So, as a U.S. senator I have 305 days to do everything I can to help you guys. One of the ways I want to help you is by having a frank conversation about how we address all of the things that the commander has outlined, but not kill you with kindness.
▶ 1:02:36Sen. Tillis: Because what we do here, a lot of times is that we rush to pass a bill and we get it and we high-five, and then a year later we come back and figure out why it has failed to be executed properly. And, quite honestly I will give you the best example of that.
▶ 1:02:54Sen. Tillis: You all know that I voted in spite of being original cosponsor and in spite of having the team act being written out of my office or promoted, I voted against the pact act and the reason was even knowing that it is going to pass by an overwhelming majority is because I thought we were going to come up short on the execution. And that is exactly what has happened.
▶ 1:03:19Sen. Tillis: So, one of the things I hope to do in my remaining time and my time is short on these comments is to try and convene a meeting to figure out how we can get to all of these priorities, past and future, Mr. commander, but in a way that is honest and instructed by the reality of resources to make sure we can have maximum impact on you all.
▶ 1:03:43Sen. Tillis: And, not only kind of fulfill the promise by passing a law, but true to the state motto of north carolina. It says to be rather than to seem. Instead of seeming to support you all by passing bills that get caught up in execution, I want to be somebody who has you do that -- who helps you do that in my remaining tenure.
▶ 1:04:09Sen. Tillis: You will be getting a call from me and we will get other organizations together and figure out how to make the most of the 305 days I have you left -- I have left to make an installment on a debt we can never repay.
▶ 1:04:22Mr. Wiley: I will tell you that me and my staff are more than happy to contact with your staff and work together to accomplish just that.
▶ 1:04:30Chair Moran: Thank you. >> thank you very much. Commander, thank you for your testimony and I want to thank everyone from the american legion family for joining the hearing and thank you for your service and sacrifice it does not go unnoticed by congress and we owe you all a debt. I think you have given us an important roadmap and how to pursue our obligations. Thank you for highlighting veteran suicide as your number one priority.
▶ 1:05:01Chair Moran: It is on the minds of every veteran that I talked to in the state of new hampshire and a shout out from all of the live free or die state of new hampshire. I want you to know that this is important and we need to focus on the alternative therapies that can help veterans manage pain, and ensure that they are living with a high quality of life.
▶ 1:05:23Chair Moran: We have the legislation called in no pain for veterans act which can reduce the reliance on opioid-based treatments, and I was wondering if you could evaluate how we are doing at opening up the doors to alternative therapies that can result in a better quality of life and less reliance on opioid-based medications?
▶ 1:05:40Mr. Wiley: Thank you and I appreciate that question. It is no secret that for far too long doctors prescribed opioids, which are destructive and addictive, to our veterans and the american legion by resolution supports alternative therapies and that is one of the region -- reasons we were proud to be in the oval office on december 18 when the president signed the executive order reclassifying cannabis from schedule want to schedule three.
▶ 1:06:09Mr. Wiley: There are a lot of other therapies that we believe would be productive for veterans and I will like it -- I will ask cole lyle to address those.
▶ 1:06:19Mr. Lyle: Thank you. The no pain for veterans act, the v.a. Still treats many of these non-opioid paid management things though long-lasting topical pain cream, things like that, non-opioid injectables as non-formulary, so it makes it harm her -- harder for physicians to prescribe and they must go through extra red tape to do it. It often costs more to the veteran out-of-pocket.
▶ 1:06:47Mr. Lyle: The bill and why it would fix the problem is that it would mandate that the v.a. Add these non-opioid alternatives as v.a. Formulary to make it easier for those providers to prescribe alternatives, which, as the commander noted, obviously we had an object -- annoy opioid crisis in the united states and as the v.a.
▶ 1:07:09Mr. Lyle: And other agencies worked to lower that or reduce the impact on the population, veterans have to find a way to deal with things like chronic pain. Without alternatives and they turned to self-medication and things like that and this would provide a realistic alternative. >> I appreciate those observations and we are committed to working with you on this. We need to make progress.
▶ 1:07:35Mr. Lyle: So let us get things moving so your presence in washington is a big show of support for priorities that will positively impact the lives of veterans and their families across the country. Thank you for being here and let us keep up the pressure. >> first of all, I want to say thank you for your advocacy and leadership and I want to thank all of the members of the american legion for being here and for your continued work to get congress to move on some of these priority legislation.
▶ 1:08:06Mr. Lyle: I appreciate the hard work. I read your testimony, and I appreciate the clarity and urgency in the testimony that you have submitted. One of the things that I want to get a better understanding of after reviewing your testimony is from the priorities that you have outlined, what do you believe is the single biggest systematic failure and how we currently deliver benefits to veterans and what specific legislative action should we be
▶ 1:08:39Mr. Lyle: Prioritizing to address it?
▶ 1:08:40Mr. Wiley: Thank you. I am going to ask for our v.a. Director to address that question.
▶ 1:08:46Mr. Lyle: Thank you. I think, if we are going to talk specifics and the benefits process it is the high rate of remands. And, that has directly resulted from the quality of cmp exams in that process. The v.a. Largely utilizes contractors to conduct those exams. And, they are fairly consistent in a regional office action review visit.
▶ 1:09:16Mr. Lyle: We find inadequate dbq's submitted for the exams that result in appeals, delays and things like that. I would say that that is the biggest point of failure. And, there are several bills to include the ndeo and I'm forgetting on what the specific bill number is off the top of my head, to improve the oversight of those contractors and ensure that though -- that there is quality. >> ok.
▶ 1:09:49Mr. Lyle: Where do you see the widest gap between some of this legislation that has been enacted going to the point that senator tillis was making with regards to the -- to the delivery? Is it in terms of connecting legislation and the actual delivery and the way that the v.a. Currently does its job?
▶ 1:10:12Mr. Lyle: It is a great question from a 30,000 foot view perspective. I would say really education and advocacy. And educating veterans. Many of whom often feel like if they apply for disability compensation they are going to be taking something away from another veteran.
▶ 1:10:35Mr. Lyle: So, I would say from a top-level view, that is the biggest thing between legislation actual delivery of benefits, educating veterans. >> I would like to continue working how to address those systematic failures.
▶ 1:10:50Chair Moran: Senator hassan.
▶ 1:10:53Sen. Hassan: Thank you to you, the chair and the ranking members. Thank you to the hearing and to everyone here today. Commander, and everyone from the american legion. Including the granite staters in attendance, thank you for your service. I want to note that as the country is at war, our troops in harm's way are in all of our hearts today, as are the families of our fallen heroes.
▶ 1:11:24Sen. Hassan: Our country owes all of you a debt of gratitude, not just for your service in uniform but your service to fellow veterans. Commander, I wanted to start with the question about how we are handling services for women who are of course, the fastest growing group of veterans. They obviously deserve easy access to care specific to them and their needs.
▶ 1:11:50Sen. Hassan: Editor blackburn and I are working on an issue -- senator blackburn and I are working on a bill to codify women veterans to schedule gender specific care without getting a primary care referral. We know we need to do more. What else can congress do to ensure that women veterans have easy and reliable access to the care that meets their specific needs?
▶ 1:12:12Mr. Wiley: I think a couple of things that they can do specifically, as I suggested or saw in one of the v.a. Hospital visits, it is having separate access for women's veterans. It is also having a sufficient number of doctors that can treat women's veterans. You know 20 years ago you would've never heard of an ob/gyn at ava, and we have -- at a v.a..
▶ 1:12:42Mr. Wiley: We have women -- veterans having babies and we need more women's physicians and those who treat women's veterans. Those are things we can do right off the bat.
▶ 1:12:52Sen. Hassan: I look forward to working with you on that issue. Another question, concerning families of veterans. It is not just to care for the veterans, we also owe a debt to their families, right? And after a veteran passes, surviving members might get financial strains and some might qualify for payments, but they can be much smaller than what a veteran was receiving for v.a.
▶ 1:13:22Sen. Hassan: Disability. What are potential options that congress should consider to help these families through the adjustment period, so they do not have to immediately worry about money while grieving for their loved one?
▶ 1:13:34Mr. Wiley: I agree with you 100% on the premise and I will ask cole lyle to address that.
▶ 1:13:40Mr. Lyle: Thank you. Thank you, senator, I think the american legion has supported the caring for survivors act to specifically raise the disability indemnity compensation, because as you point out, while they are service member is alive, they rely on a certain level of income for their quality of life and standard of living.
▶ 1:14:09Mr. Lyle: When it gets significantly reduced that is a big financial shock.
▶ 1:14:11Sen. Hassan: Thank you.
▶ 1:14:13Chair Moran: Senator sheehy.
▶ 1:14:16Sen. Sheehy: We are veterans and not victims. And we are not entitled to anything, we earned the benefits we deserve and we deserve those benefits in the form that they should come. I think the best thing we could do when -- for our veterans is winning we get home for more and it is to make sure that they can serve again and that can be as law enforcement officers and as a firefighter or small business owner.
▶ 1:14:44Sen. Sheehy: Right now america has a skills gap and we do not have enough pilots, electricians and these careers are well-suited for veterans. Even as agriculture, we don't have enough producers, ranchers and farmers. These jobs are important for the future of america. They sustain our economy and feed our nation. Mr.
▶ 1:15:08Sen. Sheehy: Sharpe, I would like to hear from you on what you can do that veterans when they take the uniform off, they spend the rest of their life achieving new heights as veterans and making us proud yet again.
▶ 1:15:27Mr. Sharpe: Thank you for that question. The american legion has always supported expansion of the program. We believe tap programs should be a way for sediments to find possible employment and to be gainfully employed. Now all veterans are aware of the various services that are out there for veterans as far as finding employment.
▶ 1:15:57Mr. Sharpe: American legion has we believe there should be a transition with an a.I. Component to put all veterans on a level playing field because depending on what installation you are leaving from, we may not have all the services for everyone. We believe that transition just the one thing that will level the playing field.
▶ 1:16:26Mr. Sharpe: Keep veterans informed of all the services and programs that the office currently has but also keep an eye on what is happening in the private sector as well. Thank you.
▶ 1:16:36Sen. Sheehy: I could use all of your help with one of the requirements to receive upon discharge should be a full transfer of health records and you are ingested before the d.o.d.
▶ 1:16:53Sen. Sheehy: Let's go if you, that would solve this chasm that too many veterans fall into and they spend years of the rest of their lives trying to get disability claims adjudicated. That should be a condition of discharge and the sooner we adopt a clean transfer of health records, we will solve that problem. Thank you.
▶ 1:17:16Chair Moran: Thank you. Senator king.
▶ 1:17:20Sen. King: I don't want to throw shape but you were talking about boy state. I was governor of american legion boy state. The tricky part is boy state west virginia and later I expected the people of maine and they are still trying to figure that out.
▶ 1:17:45Sen. King: I want to congratulate you on jabaut being executive director but it is pretty sneaky because he lives a mile away from me. Having your chief legislative guy as my neighbor, come on man. I want to follow-up on senator sheehy. There is a bill that would allow and mandate the frustration of people into the v.a.
▶ 1:18:11Sen. King: Health system before they leave active duty. I hope that is something we can work on together because I think that is a really good idea. One of the things I have been focused on since I've been here is transition. My rule is very simple. The government should spend as much money, time and effort on transition out as they do on recruiting in and they don't do that now. I hope that is something we can work together on.
▶ 1:18:39Sen. King: Tap promotion, I think we almost made it last year giving vso's access during the process. The whole idea is to give people leaving active duty more information about what is available. I hope you agree.
▶ 1:18:55Mr. Wiley: We absolutely agree with you to have the vso's to have access to make that transition into the community much easier because we can provide the necessary information to make that transition.
▶ 1:19:07Sen. King: There is something else that I am working on in the area of veteran suicides which is one of the great tragedies of this country. For the v.a. To provide free lockboxes for firearms to any veteran. 75% of veteran suicides are with firearms.
▶ 1:19:30Sen. King: The data shows that if there is any gap between the idea and execution, self execution, that can be a real help to somebody who is thinking about this terrible act. I hope that is something you can also help us with. It is based on a pilot program that has been effective. We are not taking any names. This is not gun-control. This is safety for veterans. I hope you can help us on that one.
▶ 1:19:57Mr. Wiley: We absolutely support that.
▶ 1:20:00Sen. King: Staffing issues at the v.a. The v.a. Has lost a lot of people in the last year. I have for 30,000. What I want from you is reports from the field as to whether that is having an impact from reports from veterans. He the secretary the other day.
▶ 1:20:26Sen. King: Everything is good and wait times are down but I would like feedback from people in the field as to whether that is the case because you are the ones that are actually experiencing this. We are looking to fix problems but we cannot fix the problems we do not know what they are. I look forward to working with you on that as well. Thank you very much for your leadership. I look forward to continuing our work together on behalf of american veterans.
▶ 1:20:52Chair Moran: Thank you for your questions. Senator boseman.
▶ 1:20:58Sen. Boozman: Thank you, Mr. chairman. Thank you for being here. Thank all of you for being here. In the last several years congress has stepped forward as someone who has added 20 years, these are certainly earned benefits.
▶ 1:21:28Sen. Boozman: We have been able to accomplish a lot but the only reason is because of the wall. There is nothing more heartwarming than to sit here and look out and see a full chamber, people on the wall. That is a good thing. There is no substitute for people representing you telling you how important these things are. Because of your help, we will be able to do a lot of good things and we will continue to do that in a very bipartisan way.
▶ 1:22:04Sen. Boozman: The v.a. Recently released its annual suicide prevention report through 2023. It shows that veterans suicide as continue to rage. The report highlighted the success of the staff sergeant foxx grant program making more than 24,000 referrals and 854 life-saving emergency connections for veterans.
▶ 1:22:33Sen. Boozman: What have you heard from your members regarding the program and aspects that need to be changed or improved?
▶ 1:22:38Mr. Wiley: Thank you. I appreciate the question. There are several things that can be done with regard to the epidemic of veteran suicide. This is our number one mission in eliminating stigma. More resources are needed for mental health. We need more resources for things to combat homelessness.
▶ 1:23:05Mr. Wiley: And we need basically -- I lost my train of thought, I apologize. I'm going to ask cole lyle to elaborate on that.
▶ 1:23:19Sen. Boozman: You are just trying to make me feel better. It happens to be more often than not.
▶ 1:23:24Mr. Lyle: Thank you senator boozman. The success of the staff sergeant foxx grant program over the years we have seen the v.a. Move closer to the community from medical centers to vet centers and now things like the foxx grant program that are not v.a. Organizations but leverage v.a. Funding to provide that outreach to veterans which is crucial because less than 50% of veterans use the v.a.
▶ 1:23:57Mr. Lyle: Number of veteran suicides with the declining population has been stagnant so the rate of suicide is actually increased. These types of programs are local programs that provide the veterans trust, that provide that outreach and deal with the upstream factors of suicide like transportation, relationship issues, iq financial stress. Any number of different things.
▶ 1:24:25Mr. Lyle: We want to get to the veteran before there is massive despair and things like that are really helpful.
▶ 1:24:31Sen. Boozman: Thank you and thank you all for being here. The fact that you are pushing hard together and getting a lot done.
▶ 1:24:39Chair Moran: Senator murray, former chairman of the committee.
▶ 1:24:44Sen. Murray: Thank you to all of you who are here today and everyone in this country who has served our nation. We all owe you and we all say this, a debt of gratitude for your service but it is more than that. We owe you to keep the promise that when you come home we will be there for you both to the current veterans and to the ones we will see in the future. I think it is really important today Mr.
▶ 1:25:10Sen. Murray: Chairman and this has been glossed over this point of time we are in where we have a president who is taking us to war in iran who seems to have no problem sending other kids off to a war but seems to have a problem in picking up the tab when it comes to doing right by our service members when they come home. With the v.a. Right now that has waiting lines where veterans cannot get served, doctors and nurses not being hired and no thought has been given to that.
▶ 1:25:42Sen. Murray: What we hear from trump is that this bombing campaign in iran could go on indefinitely. The death of our service members is a war of choice and that is just the way it is. He says he will not put off putting boots on the ground in iran. It is serious time for our country. I have served on this committee for more than 30 years. I know the consequences of war as each and everyone of you does in front of me.
▶ 1:26:12Sen. Murray: To go to war without preparing for the future and making sure that we are there for the men and women we service and we thank them for that but will thank them for that but w when they come home as well. We are not ready for that. This has to be a consequence that we consider.
▶ 1:26:31Sen. Murray: For numerous reasons I will use my voice today to vote no on the war in iran but it is the responsibility of this committee and every member of congress to think about all the consequences of war and take that into account and hold this administration accountable and make that clear when we make our choices forward. I felt like it was really important to say that today with all of you who served our country and know what the sacrifices mean. Mr.
▶ 1:26:57Sen. Murray: Chairman, I only have a few seconds left and with that I want to change the subject to thank you commander wiley for saying the word menopause. Having been on this committee for more than 30 years, this is the first time I have heard it. Women who serve in this country, they experience early menopause after having served in the military more than women in the general population. We need to know why and we need to be able to make sure we are doing the right thing for those women.
▶ 1:27:28Sen. Murray: I did introduce a bill last year for the v.a. To do more research on that. That along with all the other things you are talking about today have a serious consequence today as we are in this time where a president is taking us to war in iran without congressional consent as any other time of other time and I want to think everyone of you for being here and I will fight to make sure that no matter what, that this committee and this congress will do for our veterans the
▶ 1:27:59Sen. Murray: Service, the right thing when they come home. And we have to take that cost into account as we make these decisions. Thank you.
▶ 1:28:06Chair Moran: Thank you. Now I recognize -- >> thank you.
▶ 1:28:27Chair Moran: The american legion has spent generations making sure veterans are taken care of when they come home, that they continue to have meaningful lives after their service. I know everyone on this committee shares that same goal of making sure that we get our veterans the care that they have been promised, that they have earned and that they deserve. I think one area where the v.a.
▶ 1:28:56Chair Moran: Could be doing more right now is getting more ideas off the ground. Look what the v.a. Has at its disposal. The largest patient population of any hospital system in the country by multiples, 9 million pays it. We have the largest data set of anyone in the country. We get you off to times when you are 18 years old and we keep you until you die. 75 percent of physicians do some sort of training or work in the v.a.. What are we doing with this treasure trove of talent and information?
▶ 1:29:26Chair Moran: Not enough. Not nearly enough. Right now even really good ideas consider our years before veterans are able to see them because it does not have the tools or the flexibility that other agencies use. We have the stuff there but we have structural impediments. Places like the department of defense can partner up quickly to guarantee a market with promising technologies and they can move these from concept to real-world use without getting buried in red tape.
▶ 1:29:58Chair Moran: The v.a. Does not have those same authorities and the veterans are the people who feel the impact of that delay every day. It does not have to be this way. We can empower the innovation team to test new solutions that go after the hardest problems that veterans face. Think about this. We solve these problems for our veterans. We can start solving them for everyone in the country.
▶ 1:30:32Chair Moran: If the v.a. Have flexibilities to test and scale these types of new care models quickly, what types of innovative programs would you want to prioritize first?
▶ 1:30:45Mr. Wiley: Thank you for that question. Absolutely, we are always looking for different methods of treatment to treat our veterans that might be more successful than those in the past because we believe that is one of the main ways to combat the epidemic of veteran suicide. With regard to the specifics, I will ask cole lyle to address that.
▶ 1:31:09Mr. Lyle: Thank you, commander. Thank you, congressman. Some basic programs like digital matching tools, I think there is a pilot program for identifying substitute caregivers that can be directly expanded and utilized nationally. So that caregivers can have trusted resources to care for their service member.
▶ 1:31:39Mr. Lyle: Hybrid in person telehealth things where there is remote monitoring with wearables and home sensors. For rural veterans who have to travel long distances for chronic pain management, they only have in-home visits for severe cases -- in hospital visits for severe issues and they can do telehealth appointments for things that are pretty routine so it reduces readmissions rates, wait times,
▶ 1:32:10Mr. Lyle: Things like that that the v.a. To utilize and expand rapidly. >> thank you so much. I yield back.
▶ 1:32:20Chair Moran: Thank you. >> I always knew I liked senator king because it turns out I was governor as well in new jersey in 1980. I have not gone on to become a governor but it certainly was a very impactful time of my life that has paved my way to elected office.
▶ 1:32:48Chair Moran: Thank you commander wiley for your testimony and thank you to the american legion and the stamina for your leadership. I wanted to take this time to shout out to my local american legion post in burlington city, 336. Where are you guys? I think they are here. New jersey folks, happy you are here with us in the audience. I have been extremely disappointed with the v.a. Decision to shrink its medical workforce.
▶ 1:33:19Chair Moran: In order for the v.a. To continue to provide quality care it must be fully staffed. Just yesterday the v.a. Reported 1500 vacancies among a physician workforce and 4900 vacancies with respect to rn's in the v.a. . Our veterans depend on these medical professionals.
▶ 1:33:46Chair Moran: Quality care depends on a fully staffed workforce. What would you say these barriers and particularly given your incidences -- emphasis on mental health services for veterans?
▶ 1:34:02Chair Moran: I want to thank senator king for working with us on trying to get telehealth services to veterans who are incarcerated and also for his effort to lift the cap up the -- cap so we can help the v.a. Recruit more physicians. What are the biggest barriers to accessing health services within the v.a.?
▶ 1:34:27Mr. Wiley: Thank you. I appreciate that question. I will ask our director cole lyle to address that question.
▶ 1:34:38Mr. Lyle: Thank you. Obviously outreach is a huge thing. The v.a.'s budget for mental health and suicide prevention outreach is hovering around $600 million right now which sounds like a large number. A big portion of that is going to the fox grant program and advertising, things like that.
▶ 1:35:06Mr. Lyle: That represents less than 1/10 of the v.a.'s budget so outreach can definitely improve. Utilizing vso's, things like the fox grant program, making it easier for local and state level organizations to access those funds and expand those funds. It would be very helpful. >> thank you. I yield back.
▶ 1:35:33Chair Moran: Senator slotkin.
▶ 1:35:36Sen. Slotkin: I am senator slotkin from michigan, the former c.I.a. Officer. I did three tours in iraq alongside the military. I want to associate myself with senator sheehy's comments but particularly mention a piece of legislation we are working on on making sure that the g.I. Bill gives the same benefits for a veteran choosing an apprenticeship versus going into education of some kind.
▶ 1:36:04Sen. Slotkin: Right now you get dinged every six months if you are an apprenticeship and your benefit does not go as far. We have talked to the legion about this. We are on the same page. At a time when our country needs so many specific career types, a lot of those career types that senator sheehy mentioned, especially skilled trade, they are apprenticeships and you should not be dinged because you want to go into a successful
▶ 1:36:36Sen. Slotkin: Career in the trades is that of a four year university. I want to raise a separate issue and if not get an answer, get this. Artificial intelligence in deciding what benefits our veterans get or do not get. There is a lot of discussion about bringing artificial intelligence into the v.a.. I am working on legislation right now debating this. There is lots of pilot programs being looked at.
▶ 1:37:05Sen. Slotkin: What I'm concerned about is before we hardly know what is happening, we are going to let software decide if a veteran gets a benefit or not. I have a problem with that. And we understand that a.I. Can do amazing things and can amalgamate data and figure out if a veteran has all their paperwork in but does the legion have thinking on this?
▶ 1:37:31Sen. Slotkin: Who is the thought leader trying to help our veterans organizations think through this new hot issue that is trying to come to a theater near us?
▶ 1:37:37Mr. Wiley: I appreciate your question, senator. Let me give you an example of the recent visit I had to a regional office and explain in my mind how artificial intelligence can be productive. What they do is use artificial intelligence to do administrative tasks like organizing records and putting those altogether for a reviewer.
▶ 1:38:03Mr. Wiley: What should not happen and what we cannot allow to happen is for artificial intelligence to substitute for judgment. Judgment has to be a human being they can review all of the evidence and make an independent determination using everything they know. Artificial intelligence is not a replacement for that.
▶ 1:38:22Sen. Slotkin: Thank you for that. Mr. chairman, this is an issue we will have to deal with as a committee, both chairmans. How much power are we going to give to a.I. To decide if a veteran gets reimbursed for something, if a veteran qualifies for something? I think we are moving very fast and there are some real benefits, I know. A human being needs to be in the decision tree before we start making life and death decisions for veterans.
▶ 1:38:53Sen. Slotkin: I appreciate everyone's work here. I yield back. [applause]
▶ 1:39:01Chair Moran: Representative takano has an additional question and then we will turn to the senator and we will conclude this panel. There was a vote that has started in the senate and we will have a change to the second panel during that load. -- during that vote. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. With the new york times article yesterday I wanted to ask a question about staffing.
▶ 1:39:33Chair Moran: Veterans care does not happen without staff. Commander, are you hearing about appointments being pushed out or services being harder to access?
▶ 1:39:42Mr. Wiley: Anecdotally the answer is yes. >> anecdotally. For those here today, show of hands. Are you experiencing delayed care or longer wait times because a clinic did not have enough staff? Just raise your hand by a show of hands. The number of heads have been raised. Thank you. I yield back.
▶ 1:40:05Chair Moran: Thank you, ranking member.
▶ 1:40:09Sen. Banks: Thank you to the many hoosier legionaires in the audience. I am a member of the american legion post 98 in my hometown city in indiana and I am very proud of it. Our veterans count on the american legion and all of our great veteran service organizations to advocate for the very best possible healthcare, education and disability benefits for veterans every day.
▶ 1:40:39Sen. Banks: I want to thank all of you for the important work that you do. Commander wiley, I strongly agree that veterans deserve a claims and appeals system that is simple, efficient and worthy of their service. I appreciate the legion's support for my veterans appeals efficiency act that I have introduced. We worked with you on. Can you talk about why the bill would be helpful?
▶ 1:41:03Mr. Wiley: Thank you senator banks. It is important to us and I will ask cole lyle to specifically address that.
▶ 1:41:11Mr. Lyle: Thank you, commander. Thank you, senator. The act you cited is a great idea. There are a lot of specific provisions in there, reporting requirements, making the process more transparent. There have been concerns in the veteran community about aggregation of data.
▶ 1:41:34Mr. Lyle: As mentioned earlier there is a high remand rate from the court aggregation particularly for presumptive conditions could be a good thing, if granted. I understand we have had conversations with your office about an opt out if they choose not to because one of the concerns would be the veteran using -- losing their poa and that would be difficult to deal with if it was an aggregated claim that got denied. That would clutter the system.
▶ 1:42:03Mr. Lyle: If we could work with your office on improving the language for the bill, just discussing the concerns and make it more effective, if passed.
▶ 1:42:16Sen. Banks: I'm glad to work with you on that. Thank you for that explanation. The legal authority to care for homeless veterans expired during the government shutdown last fall. We can never let that happen again. I'm introducing legislation to make the health care for homeless veterans program permanent so that it cannot shut down during a shutdown. Can I count on the legion's support to pass that bill?
▶ 1:42:38Mr. Wiley: Yes.
▶ 1:42:39Sen. Banks: Very good. Thank you for that. Thank you for all that you do, each and every one of you in the room and good. A big fan of the american legion .
▶ 1:42:49Chair Moran: Senator banks, thank you very much. Commander, thank you for your testimony. Use a moment to recognize the national commander of the american legion. I am a member of the sons of the american legion and I use this to indicate that there is an opportunity to serve veterans and to be part of the american legion program. With that, we close out this panel and transition to the second panel.
▶ 1:43:18Chair Moran: Again commander wiley, thank you. I will see you in kansas at some point. Thank you to your entire team of american legion advocates and workers on behalf of our nation's veterans and their families. We will take a recess to allow the american legion panel and audience members to depart and our second panel to get situated. We are pausing. Thank you.
▶ 1:49:47Chair Moran: >> welcome, everybody. You can take your seats. We will get started. Welcome to our second panel of witnesses and audience members. Thank you for being here today. We have Mr. robert thomas, national president for paralyzed veterans of america. Mr. paul shipley. Mr. terry prince of veterans affairs.
▶ 1:50:22Chair Moran: You have a pretty good contingent here. Lieutenant general walter piat. Major general frank mcginn and Mr.
▶ 1:50:50Chair Moran: Jim whaley, chief executive officer for mission roll call. Thank you for being here and for your hard work, dedication. You provide tremendous value to our committee. We will start now. Mr. thomas, you are recognized for five minutes and we will go down the line.
▶ 1:51:17Mr. Thomas: Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today on behalf of tens of thousands the federal who rely on the benefits of the care of the v.a.. The v.a. Is the best health for veterans. The department's to industries and provide coordinated lifelong services is no comparable private system of care in this community.
▶ 1:51:47Mr. Thomas: Thus preserving and strengthening the specialty care system remains the highest priority and it should be for you too. When I was a before the committee last year I spoke about the way that ongoing staffing deficiencies and infrastructure problems were undermining not just the sci system of care but specialized lifesaving services in general.
▶ 1:52:16Mr. Thomas: It is frustrating to bring this up year after year without resolution. Unfortunately the previous administration's practice of eliminating unfilled positions continues. This is extremely concerning because it presents the illusion that staffing levels are better than they really are and I must call foul on this because at the same time positions are being eliminated, it can be difficult to fill them down to the staffing caps and funding limitations.
▶ 1:52:47Mr. Thomas: I urge you to continue to press the v.a. For answers regarding how it plans to care for the tens of thousands of veterans who are on the registries and depend on the v.a. For quality, timely direct care. This cannot be allowed to continue for another year. Access to lifelong services and support continue to be crucial for the members.
▶ 1:53:16Mr. Thomas: We are appreciate of the passage of the act. V.a. Says the veteran's directive care program is available at all the major facilities for the feedback we have suggests some programs exist in name only. Or they serve veterans. Congress must ensure that the services are carried on as intended.
▶ 1:53:41Mr. Thomas: Another important aspect of lifelong support is the biole the bladder program. Support is a crucial aspect of that care. Unfortunately the current program is with challenges for caregivers. Reimbursement of the tax treatment or the two chief complaints I hear. Codifying the program will provide the opportunity to fix many of these problems.
▶ 1:54:14Mr. Thomas: I thanked chairman maranda his bill the disabled veterans dignity act which would help to address these issues. We also appreciate the interest from the house in producing a similar bill that includes provisions addressing the taxability issue. Another area of concern is transportation for v.a. Care. We are concerned about new guidance that ends facility prepayment of round-trip common carrier airfare for veterans traveling to the v.a.
▶ 1:54:43Mr. Thomas: Sci/d facilities. This change requires veterans to pay for travel upfront and seek reimbursement after their appointment. Effectively preventing many from receiving necessary care. We appreciate that the v.a. Is attempting to figure out a solution to this problem and call on congress to provide v.a. Any resources including clear statutory authority to ensure veterans can access specialty care.
▶ 1:55:17Mr. Thomas: Finally, special monthly compensation is arguably the most important ancillary benefit for veterans with severe service-connected disabilities. Given the extreme nature of the disabilities incurred by most veterans, we do not believe that the impact of the quality of life can be totally compensated for. However, smc provides these veterans a financial resource to accommodate their individual needs.
▶ 1:55:45Mr. Thomas: In similar fashion survivor benefits are intended to protect veterans release from impoverishment after the death of a disabled veteran. Unfortunately they do not always do that and many survivors who in many cases were once caregivers face financial cliffs. Congress established the rates for these programs decades ago. They must be updated now.
▶ 1:56:12Mr. Thomas: We urge congress to quickly pass the veterans benefit expansion act. Thank you for the opportunity to testify. I and be happy to answer any questions -- I will be happy to answer any questions.
▶ 1:56:30Chair Moran: Pull your microphone a little closer. We have people in the back. We are a government entity. As you know. Mr. shipley, you have five minutes.
▶ 1:56:47Chair Moran: >> ranking members and distinguished members of the committee, and half of ann betts, thank you for your commitment to the men women who have served our country. It represents more than 20 million veterans from every area of service including active duty , national guard, preserved and those who transition to the life.
▶ 1:57:15Chair Moran: This past year marks a new chapter for our organization. After more than 80 years in the national capital region we relocated their headquarters to washington, pennsylvania where we also established the amvets center that will serve homeless veterans and their families. Veterans will be able to remain with their spouses and children involved a secure employment, permanent housing and long-term stability.
▶ 1:57:44Chair Moran: Through the center we administered a prime waiver homeless veterans reintegration program grants in salt lake city, utah and phoenix, arizona. Along with workforce programs and veterans standouts across the nation. These efforts reflect what experience has taught us, housing, employment, mental wellness and family stability are interconnected. Effective policy must reflect that reality. Mental wellness and suicide prevention remain our top legislative priority.
▶ 1:58:15Chair Moran: Despite significant federal investment suicide continues to take an unacceptable toll on the veteran community. We have seen strong evidence driven results from community-based efforts supported by the staff sergeant fox grant program which often reaches veterans from traditional care has not worked. As congress considers reauthorizing the fox grants we urge improving models and continuing to focus on measurable outcomes.
▶ 1:58:44Chair Moran: Our current approach spends billions while delivering minimal improvement in reducing symptoms of suicide. After 2.5 and more than 140,000 veteran deaths
▶ 1:59:15Chair Moran: Veteran dea equipped with the tools to build meaningful lives and nowhere to turn when times become difficult. A similar forward-looking approach is needed in the treatment of traumatic brain injury. Since 2000 more than 500,000 service members have been diagnosed.
▶ 1:59:45Chair Moran: Many faced lasting cognitive and emotional effects that disrupt employment, relationships and overall health. Legislation like the beacon act would allow the v.a. To evaluate and expand innovative patient centered therapies.
▶ 2:00:03Chair Moran: We are thankful to the leadership of chairman moran which can broaden our understanding of the impact of blast level injuries on veterans. Veterans deserve care that involve science and focus on meaningful recovery. We must also honor our commitments to surviving families. Dependency and indemnity compensation has not kept up with the comparable federal survivor benefits.
▶ 2:00:32Chair Moran: Modernizing d.I.c., link earrings for survivors act is a matter of -- the carrying for survivors act is a matter of dignity. Modernization is equally essential. A fully interoperable electronic health record between the department of defense and the v8 reduces duplication, improves patient safety and ensures continuity of care.
▶ 2:00:59Chair Moran: As the rollout continues next month, sustained oversight of the disciplined execution are necessary for success. Failure is not an option. There also requires passage of the major richard starr act. For decades the federal government has reduced military retirement pay simply because a service member was wounded badly enough to receive disability compensation. This has been framed as concurrent receipt suggesting veterans are double dipping. They are not.
▶ 2:01:30Chair Moran: Military retirement is earned through years of service. Disability compensation addresses injuries sustained in that service. When the government offsets one against the other, it is taking away retirement that was already earned. Let me be clear, it is time to stop stealing from our servicemembers. Congress needs to immediately end this injustice and pass the major richard starr act.
▶ 2:02:00Chair Moran: Finally, we support the development of a strategy focused on measurable outcomes. This nation invests hundreds of billions of dollars each year in veteran-related programs. Those resources must be expended around clear goals, accountability and results that improve health, employment and quality of life. As the men women who defend our nation are once again placed in harms way, we depend on this body to ensure that they are cared for when they return home.
▶ 2:02:30Chair Moran: Our veterans and their families deserve more than promises. They deserve measurable progress in their health, opportunities and their quality of life. Thank you for your continue to commitment to those who have served. I look forward to answering any questions you may have.
▶ 2:02:45Chair Tuberville: Thank you. Next is Mr. prince. >> ranking member takano, great to see you. Senator tuberville and ranking members, I'm a member of the U.S. navy and currently serving as president of nasdva.
▶ 2:03:12Chair Tuberville: That crowd you heard behind me is a distinguished member of the 50 secretaries, directors and commissioners that lead these states, territories and district of columbia veterans affairs. These veteran leaders make up the membership of nasdva and together the second largest provider of veteran services in our nation, second only to the v.a.. These are your government to government partners.
▶ 2:03:37Chair Tuberville: We have worked together since 1946 to serve veterans where they live and work. They should be your first point of contact for constituent issues and ensuring that the nation's 18 million veterans and their families and survivors receive the benefits and services they have earned in order to improve the quality of life and their overall well-being. In our testimony we cover a lot in our written testimony. A few important items.
▶ 2:04:06Chair Tuberville: Our veteran -- provides more than 50% of the long-term care in veterans homes and 30,000 beds. We recommend $600 million to provide priority group one construction project where the overall cost to fund all of the necessary need to build and maintain is $1.3 billion.
▶ 2:04:31Chair Tuberville: On a separate note the state veteran have to pay for high-cost medications for veterans in their care. This needs to be addressed by passing hr 1970 so that v.a. Reimburses our state veterans that for medications that exceed 8.5% of the rate which is what the v.a. Pays to private nursing homes that are contracted by the v.a.. The other grant program is a national cemetery veterans cemetery grant program.
▶ 2:05:01Chair Tuberville: 124 cemeteries across 47 states. The number far exceeds the amount of funding just to cover priority one and two for establishment of cemeteries is in the neighborhood of $220 million and nasdva recommends addressing these groups for fy 27. It was mentioned earlier about v.a.
▶ 2:05:27Chair Tuberville: Health care and for the 9 million veterans receiving care, we also recommend they continue to emphasize enrollment, better access and quality care at the v.a. Regardless of gender and whether it is provided by the v.a. Or community care programs which accounts for 40% of that care and is v.a. Care. Alta health records, we support the need for congressional oversight to ensure that the v.a. Modernizes the electronic health record.
▶ 2:05:58Chair Tuberville: It currently costs nearly $16 billion with a projection for $40 billion with full deployment not expected until 2041. The american legion mentioned the tap class. I am very familiar with this process and I can tell you every servicemember describes it in a different way. What I do know, a transition from anything in life, especially the military, is one of the most dangerous times in a servicemember's history especially toward suicide and other things.
▶ 2:06:28Chair Tuberville: State directors need to be part of the tap program. They need to be brought in early and often to ensure that these veterans are connected with their state benefits. The major richard starr act, it is time. This is a wounded veterans tax. Nasdva recommends this congress passes this critical legislation for these deserving disabled veterans. Veteran homelessness, we commend what the v.a.
▶ 2:06:53Chair Tuberville: Is doing however we would like to expand eligibility. I will close up on testimony with the number one issue that hits home to me and everyone in this room, suicide.
▶ 2:07:15Chair Tuberville: Every 11 minutes in this country fma loses a servicemember to the site and this requires a hold of government engagement. Your state directors in veteran's affairs play a crucial role in suicide prevention by connecting veterans to their earned benefits back home where they live, working with their state and human services and the governor's challenge.
▶ 2:07:38Chair Tuberville: We also recommend new treatment modalities to eliminate pharmacological intervention and other issues that do not allow veterans to explore nontraditional methodologies. Your partnership is important to our veterans as it is to us.
▶ 2:07:55Chair Tuberville: It is a promise cap to those who once stood watch for all of us and together we can ensure that those services are not just in words through action through strong policy and unwavering commitment. All of us sincerely respect and appreciate your work to improve the well-being of our nation's veterans and we are honored to be part of that noble mission with you. Thank you. [applause]
▶ 2:08:23Chair Tuberville: Thank you, Mr. prince. Next we have general piatt. From wounded warrior >> distinguished members of the house and senate committees on veterans affairs, thank you all for today's hearing and for the honor to join you on behalf of wounded warrior project warriors and families we serve.
▶ 2:08:52Chair Tuberville: All of us are deeply saddened by the recent loss of service members and we stand ready to serve all those impacted by current military operations. 23 years ago wounded warrior project was founded on a promise to be there no matter what for those who defend our freedom. It is that same promise that grounds the work you did today.
▶ 2:09:17Chair Tuberville: Our nation's military remains engaged globally, fighting to keep the world and our nation safe. We should never allow the strategic purpose for more to mask the toll it takes on those asked to fight it. For the dangers our military is asked to face, we cannot accept the warriors simply coming back as the final tally of successful transition out of military service.
▶ 2:09:49Chair Tuberville: We must see them fully home, mind, body and soul. This is not captured in one moment in time but through a process of hope, healing and reconnection to a life of renewed purpose. Lastly 125 of our warriors visited many of you members of congress. They were honored to tell you their stories and share the living, breathing impact of why your support matters.
▶ 2:10:18Chair Tuberville: We discussed three priorities with you. The first, a passionate plea to do right by our past, current and future combat veterans by passing the major richard starr act this year. Finally allowing for those who were forced to medically retired due to combat related injuries to receive the benefits they earned in blood. Second, on ending veteran suicide.
▶ 2:10:47Chair Tuberville: In 2023 we lost more than 6000 veterans to suicide. We must explore advanced treatments for those who are suffering. The time is now to push forward evidence-based solutions like psychedelic assisted therapies for ptsd, traumatic brain injury and substance use disorder.
▶ 2:11:09Chair Tuberville: We must explore all alternative treatments, coordinate research, expand access to clinical trials and ultimately make these treatments accessible to all veterans. Third, ending veteran homelessness. V.a. And supportive communities are making his store progress with nearly 52,000 veterans moving into permanent housing last year.
▶ 2:11:35Chair Tuberville: Let's finish the housing unhoused disabled veterans act to ensure no veterans disability compensation is counted against them. Your time spent with these warriors last week and your genuine appreciation for their service touched them deeply and reminded them that their sacrifice is a big reason why our nation remains free.
▶ 2:11:59Chair Tuberville: With this continue to support of congress and that of our grateful nation, wounded warrior project will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible as we pursue the path to save a million more lives, cure ptsd, end veteran suicide and end veteran homelessness. Warriors are the foundation of our freedom. They have done and continue to do their part. It is now time to do hours.
▶ 2:12:26Chair Tuberville: We must keep the progress, to find every warrior everywhere and bring them home with mind, body and soul. I am honored to be of service to this distinguished committee and for the opportunity to testify. Thank you for helping our nation keep the promise to veterans and I welcome any questions.
▶ 2:12:53Chair Tuberville: Next we have anita sullivan from taps. >> ranking members blumenthal and takano, thank you for the opportunity to share my story. Several years ago in 20 I became a widow, a title no one pursues.
▶ 2:13:17Chair Tuberville: My husband, the father of our three children died by suicide after faithful service to our nation and decades of physical and mental health battles that plagued him during and after his time in the navy. Much has changed in the seven years since he passed. But one thing has not. I am and always will be his widow.
▶ 2:13:48Chair Tuberville: No passage of time will change that. Not my birthday or becoming someone else's wife. I met my in 1999 when he was stationed in florida. He was funny and captivating and we married quickly. Soon he became seriously ill. He was diagnosed with cyclic vomiting syndrome which landed him in the hospital every six weeks like clockwork.
▶ 2:14:15Chair Tuberville: When he came back from his last appointment in 2023, we welcomed our first child. His physical health impacted his career and his mental health and by that july he officially separated from the navy. His health worsened and over the next 16 years he was hospitalized approximately 35 times.
▶ 2:14:38Chair Tuberville: I became the primary breadwinner of caring for our three children and becoming michael's leavebece and becoming michael's leavebect and becoming michael's leavebece he was. On his good days, he coached her kids baseball teams, volunteered his time to youth activities, was involved in our church but on his bad days we truly suffered.
▶ 2:15:06Chair Tuberville: His suicide in 2019 ended his physical and mental health battles. It was just the beginning of new challenges for our grieving, traumatized family. I was at a tapps seminar when I learned michael's suicide was deemed service-connected. After going for michael's 100% v.a. Disability compensation to zero overnight when he died, we would only have 43% reinstated.
▶ 2:15:39Chair Tuberville: Our eight month process was fast by the a standards. The wait for dic is financially devastating for many survivors in the month-to-month stress continues for families, mine included. Raising dic from 43% to 55% may seem insignificant to some but for surviving spouses like me who struggle to maintain a career because it always came second to military service and caregiving, it makes a
▶ 2:16:09Chair Tuberville: Meaningful difference. Passing the caring for survivors act would provide breathing room and ease financial pressures. Families face reduced income, the lasting impact of career limitations, ongoing therapy costs and the full responsibility of providing opportunities for our children in single-parent households.
▶ 2:16:38Chair Tuberville: As the only living parent of are now 11, 16 and 22-year-old, v.a. Health benefits are critical to our family's stability. Under current law my son will aged out in a few months despite being a full-time college student. Unlike most other health insurance programs it does not extend to age 26.
▶ 2:17:03Chair Tuberville: Seven years after michael's passing, I am still his widow and we are still dependent on the benefits he earned to support our family. After a three year engagement I am still waiting to marry a man I love who will never replace him as a husband or father but cares deeply for the four of us. My youngest child was just four when her daddy died.
▶ 2:17:28Chair Tuberville: She is growing up without a legal father in her life which can be confusing for her and her friends as she goes around and is sharing so much of her life with him but knows if it does not pass she will be almost an adult before she can officially call him her stepdad.
▶ 2:17:48Chair Tuberville: John is here supporting us both as the advocate for benefits that were earned through service and sacrifice, benefits the dissolve under current law if I remarry before age 55. Marrying john does not mean we should become his financial responsibility. He is always doing so much bringing happiness back into our lives but I will not become his financial burden.
▶ 2:18:17Chair Tuberville: When my late husband joined the military our country made a promise to support his family if anything happened to him. There were no restrictions attached to that commitment. My family's story is one of many. I hope my voice is loud enough to bring attention to long-overdue legislative changes, like finally ending remarriage penalties, treating suicide is a presumptive condition, increasing dic and bringing v.a. In line with civilian insurance.
▶ 2:18:46Chair Tuberville: Thank you for the opportunity to share my story today. [applause] >> thank you. Next we have the general from the national guard association.
▶ 2:19:05Chair Tuberville: >> ranking member blumenthal, senator tuberville and distinguished members of the committee on behalf of the 430 5000 soldiers and airmen, thank you for the opportunity to discuss issues affecting today's national guard. We appreciate your bipartisan support in recognizing the guard 's vital role.
▶ 2:19:34Chair Tuberville: The national guard has evolved into an operational force. Guard members deploy globally, strengthen alliances and provide key capabilities to the total force of less than 4% of the defense budget. They are the nation's first responder protecting critical infrastructure and assisting civilian authorities. Policies have not kept pace. I will focus on three priorities. Duty status reform, g.I.
▶ 2:20:04Chair Tuberville: Bill parity, and a reserve component within the assistance program. First duty status reform. More than 40,000 guardsmen are serving at home and abroad. That frequently operate alongside active forces among identical conditions. While there service is equal, compensation and benefits are not.
▶ 2:20:31Chair Tuberville: The current system of over 30 duty status is was created piecemeal over the decades. Six were created between 1999 and 2013. It is overly complex, confusing and difficult for states to administer. In the fy '16, congress directed the department of defense for a proposal. Studies and discussions have continued over the years.
▶ 2:21:00Chair Tuberville: Legislative a boo legislative a b proposals have t advanced. Bipartisan support of duty status reform act, this aligns authorities without guard reserves are deployed today and ensures further treatment. The new framework will provide equities and paying benefits, efficiency and programming and budgeting and streamlined accessibility to the guard and reserves. Duty status reform is our top priority for fy 27.
▶ 2:21:29Chair Tuberville: We ask for your support of the introduction of the senate companion bill. The next point I want to discuss is g.I. Bill parity. It provides those who serve with access to education and the opportunity to build a successful future. However many periods of service do qualify for benefits. Falsely implies lesser value.
▶ 2:22:02Chair Tuberville: Each day in uniform to count as a day of service to our country. The benefits earned should reflect that sacrifice. The g.I. Bill parity act corrects this inequity. We thank you for leading on this issue and request swift passage. The third and last issue I want to address is the transition assistance program track.
▶ 2:22:32Chair Tuberville: It is critical to preparing service members for service life. Most guard members return to -- this presents unique challenges not fully addressed. Guardsmen received limited counseling tailored -- the v.a. Claims process. Transition assistance without these topics is a misuse of time and resources. Will grateful for your support on this issue.
▶ 2:22:59Chair Tuberville: The fy 25 -- continued oversight is necessary to show this is tailored to the reserve. We respectfully request updates on this implementation and stand ready to assist. In closing, thank you for your continued leadership and commitment to those who serve. These are not abstract policies. These are tangible issues that affect the long-term well-being of national guard members and veterans.
▶ 2:23:31Chair Tuberville: The national guard stands ready to be the nation's needs. And return our members asked for fairness, clarity and recognition of their service. We look forward to working with you to address these issues and ensure national guard service is treated with the equity and respect it deserves. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today and I welcome your questions. >> thank you. You are not recognized for five minutes.
▶ 2:23:58Chair Tuberville: >> ranking members and distinguished members of both committees, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. Mission roll call represents veterans by listening. We bring that data directly to policymakers so decisions are grounded and lived experiences. Our 2026 priorities come straight from the surveys.
▶ 2:24:26Chair Tuberville: Veterans told us four issues should guide the work ahead. Access to quality health care, support for injuries, suicide prevention, and housing stability. For veterans, these priorities are connected. When access falters, injuries worsen. When injuries go untreated, mental health risk increases. Without stable housing, even effective care becomes difficult to sustain. First, access to quality health care both v.a. And non-v.a..
▶ 2:24:57Chair Tuberville: Veterans defined access by timing, distance and follow-through. In may 2025, mission roll call surveyed 1200 respondents in all 50 states on the access act. 67% said the legislation would improve health care outcomes. Among rural veterans, 71% said it would improve. Mental health access is central to this discussion.
▶ 2:25:22Chair Tuberville: 60% of veterans told us they are comfortable receiving mental health care from a non-v.a. Health care provider. 79% said allowing veterans to access mental health or substance abuse care in the community without a v.a. Referral would improve access. Veterans are not voting against the v.a. In fact many we speak to report positive experiences.
▶ 2:25:47Chair Tuberville: But they are asking for options that reduce delays, shorten travel burdens and help them get care before a problem becomes a crisis. Second, support for service-connected injuries and conditions, including traumatic brain injuries. In our 20 25 survey to more than 2500 veterans, family members and caregivers, 14% reported a tbi diagnosis in their household.
▶ 2:26:14Chair Tuberville: A seeking tbi related care, 70% said accessing appropriate treatment is somewhat or very difficult. Distance, wait times and fragmented care remain barriers. Mild to moderate tbi is where we see the greatest cap. Symptoms persist but care pathways are unclear and coordination between v.a. And non-v.a. Providers from inconsistent. This is the space the beacon act looks to address.
▶ 2:26:46Chair Tuberville: A structured framework to evaluate innovative approaches for veterans with chronic mild to moderate tbi with rigorous outcome measurement and independent evaluation. Veterans are not asking for lower standards. The resting the v.a. To test therapies responsible, publishing results transparently.
▶ 2:27:08Chair Tuberville: This urgency is reinforced by the v.a.'s 2025 suicide report which shows suicide rates among users with a tbi diagnosis was nearly 94% higher than those without a tbi. Early intervention in tbi care is not separate from suicide prevention, it is part of it. Third, veterans tell us the current trajectory of veteran suicide is unacceptable.
▶ 2:27:38Chair Tuberville: In2 july 20 mission roll call5, surveyed over 2200, veterans families and caregivers. 67% of respondents said they struggled with suicidal thoughts or mental health challenges or they know someone who has. Nearly 1/3 describe access to mental health care is difficult or very difficult. The barriers are not only clinical. 's isolation, stigma and loss of purpose and early warning signs.
▶ 2:28:08Chair Tuberville: We have come to describe this as working left of clinical. Not instead of care but before crisis. Early engagement. More on ramps to stability. Fewer veterans reaching a breaking point before help arrives. Fourth, and leslie housing stability. Housing is -- employment, recovery and family life suffer.
▶ 2:28:36Chair Tuberville: Veterans consistently rank housing access among top priorities. Across all surveys, veterans are asking congress to do if consistent things. Expand access were delays persist, strengthen pathways, treat tbi and chronic and conditions as rehabilitation judges. Invest in early suicide prevention strategies and protect housing stability as a core element.
▶ 2:29:06Chair Tuberville: None of these priorities replace the v.a. They strengthened it by recognizing that veteran wellness is built upstream, long before prescription drugs or a patient bed is involved. Veterans are speaking clearly. We are listening. Mission roll call is to ensure those voices remain central to the work of both those committees. Thank you. I look forward to any questions. >> thank you.
▶ 2:29:33Chair Tuberville: I will not recognize the former state governor of virginia and governor of maine for questions. >> that refers to the prior hearing. Sorry about that. General, one of the provisions I have been pushing is free registering for v.a. Health care before you leave active duty. It is called the service and veteran health care protection act.
▶ 2:30:03Chair Tuberville: Is this something the wounded warrior program is interested in? >> we are doing a lot of work ourselves. We feel if they are registered before the transition, the higher success rate and will have during transition. >> I appreciate that. My position on transition is very simple. The government should spend as much money on transition out as they do on recruiting in.
▶ 2:30:32Chair Tuberville: Because right now I think transition, although it has been improved, under it I think people realize what a dramatic moment that is in the veteran's life. Suicide rates are higher among people in the first 2-3 years. I very much appreciate your comments on tbi. We had a tragic case in maine several years ago that involved tbi. I think that is something we have to focus upon.
▶ 2:30:59Chair Tuberville: Something I have focused on is a bill that would have the v.a. Provide free lockboxes for firearms. This is not a gun-control bill, no names taken. But the data shows if there is any gap between the idea and carrying out of suicide, that can help. 75% of veteran suicides take place by firearms. Is that safe storage something you can support admission? >> senator, yes it is.
▶ 2:31:32Chair Tuberville: All of us on this panel are concerned about the continuing rise of suicide and our inability to bring those numbers down. Effort to reduce those numbers is something all of our members and all veterans and their families can get behind. >> thank you.
▶ 2:31:49Chair Tuberville: We passed a provision in the defense bill last year that will increase the number of people who are leaving the service whose contact information is shared with your representatives across the country at the state veterans offices. It used to be you had to opt in in your paperwork. Now you have to opt out. We expect that will significantly increase the people whose contact information is made available.
▶ 2:32:18Chair Tuberville: I hope that your organization and your members are getting ready for what I suspect will be a very large number of contacts so the purpose of this law, to have people met at the airport, to advise them of their rights and what options are available to them, I don't want those names come to your offices and sitting in a file somewhere.
▶ 2:32:43Chair Tuberville: I hope you will work with the vf sos to develop a system where veterans -- will reach out to them, not wait for them to reach out to you. >> thank you, senator, for that very much appreciated comment. We are receiving additional information. Were getting the v.a. To look closer with the department of war.
▶ 2:33:12Chair Tuberville: It was my intention to get to say there's a year or two before they got out of the military and start the conversation then and connect them with service. You can count on us being a player in making sure we are at the front of the line getting information into the hands of our vsos. >> thank you for the work you are doing on behalf of our veterans. One final comment. It is about damn time we pass the richard star act.
▶ 2:33:49Chair Tuberville: [applause] >> I will not recognize myself for questions. What is the urgency on why we should pass the major richard star act? >> they were wounded and they still bled in foreign countries.
▶ 2:34:15Chair Tuberville: Most of them are young men and women serving. Not close to retirement age. They have to accept the end of the life they thought they would have. We cannot punish them for their sacrifice on combat fields. >> I wholeheartedly agree with you. I am moved by your answer. It needs to happen this congress and this congress and its leaders need to be held accountable for getting it done.
▶ 2:34:47Chair Tuberville: Do you agree that this is also about fairness? That ending a wounded veteran's tax and congress should not pay for it by reducing other earned benefits? >> I think veterans should get the benefits they earned in combat. >> we should not be asking other veterans to pay for it by reducing their benefits?
▶ 2:35:12Chair Tuberville: >> > I think all veterans deserve the benefits they earned. >> you would agree with me the american people, it is part of our obligation to take care of veterans, not to ask one group to pay for another group's benefits? >> we appreciate the support of this committee and getting veterans the benefits they deserve. >> thank you. Ms.
▶ 2:35:39Chair Tuberville: Sullivan, there has been discussion about the bill and compensation. I read the moving testimony from survivors such as herself and tapps' written statement about the benefits increase. Can you give us a quick snapshot of the reason why congress needs to do this full increase and why he needs to happen now? >> yes.
▶ 2:36:09Chair Tuberville: Thank you for the question. Our survivors currently only received 43% of what a 100% disabled veteran receives. All other federal survivors received that 55%. We are asking for parity. That is bring us in line with all others. To bring that from 43% to 55%. Or an additional $454 a month.
▶ 2:36:40Chair Tuberville: The base rate number is 1699.36. For most of survivors, that is the only benefit we receive. That can have a very large impact on our family. For some of us, it is the difference in providing for families in ways that can include keeping their homes.
▶ 2:37:09Chair Tuberville: Being able to really do what is necessary to raise grieving children. And to do critical care for their families. This is something that ultimately we believe is fulfilling a commitment to saying our sacrifice and our loved ones' service is just as important as other federal benefits, federal employees'
▶ 2:37:40Chair Tuberville: Sacrifice. >> I agree with you and the weight has been long enough. Thank you. I want to recognize three minutes of questioning. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. Thank you for your continued service. I want to echo something senator king said earlier.
▶ 2:38:03Chair Tuberville: Right now we have an administration asking for billions and billions of dollars to send people into war again but are unwilling to find the money to take care of those who served in those wars prior to this. The money for the major richard star act, the money for widows and widowers -- thank you for your courage and testimony -- these are benefits that have earned and deserve. We will keep fighting for them. Mr.
▶ 2:38:31Chair Tuberville: Thompson, talking about your testimony. The v.a. Does not have enough staff in the spinal cord -- buildings are not designed for the care that veterans need. More than 1/3 of the jobs of these units are unfilled. That means beds are staying empty even though veterans are waiting for them currently. It is our veterans that feel this neglect every single day. What should our v.a.
▶ 2:38:59Chair Tuberville: Medical centers do to's spinal cord injury positions and keep beds open for the veterans who depend on them? >> the v.a. Said prioritize hiring for the system of care and other specialty care systems. Currently there is no other system in the community that can take care of the needs that you have with a spinal cord injury.
▶ 2:39:34Chair Tuberville: Also, for the infrastructure, they should prioritize to ensure that they have the most modern equipment to take care of us for our unique needs. >> I totally agree. It is a and immoral promise we have made our veterans. We said if you come in and serve us and are willing to sacrifice everything for us we will take care of you. I think we are falling short of that.
▶ 2:40:06Chair Tuberville: You describe facilities that are decades old, outdated layouts and construction delays. Where do they need to modernize? >> currently there is only one long-term care center west of the mississippi. Long-term care as we all age, we need to have these long-term care facilities. Again, in the community, there are no nursing homes that could take care of us.
▶ 2:40:36Chair Tuberville: >> thank you. That is very helpful. General, thank you for highlighting the struggles of mental health our veterans are still experiencing, especially post-9/11. Where should we focus first for mental health treatments through the v.a.? >> first I would say rehabilitation treatment programs. We need more beds, lead more states to have them. Pursue alternative medication.
▶ 2:41:07Chair Tuberville: Do the research, get the trials going. We are seeing real promise. We are the best country in the world for medical care. >> thank you so much. I agree with you on that. >> thank you. Now I recognize Dr. morrison for questions. >> thank you, ranking member. Thank you for convening our hearing today.
▶ 2:41:35Chair Tuberville: Thank you so much to all the witnesses for a being here today in the work you all do every day, advocating on behalf of fellow veterans and service members. A special shoutout to any minnesotans in the crowd today. Come on, are you out there? I met with them earlier and it was a pleasure to see them in washington.
▶ 2:42:01Chair Tuberville: General, my team has been working with yours back in minnesota to partner on supporting our women veterans. We have been impressed by all the work you are doing. Women are our fastest growing group of veterans. As a go by and it is important that women veterans canned -- where can congress act to ensure the v.a.
▶ 2:42:25Chair Tuberville: Is equipped to meet the needs of the growing women veteran population in 2026 and beyond? >> first I would say women veterans are veterans and our country needs to recognize that. They did the same care. The medical care is gender specific. We need to beat them where they are. Allow them to choose the provider of their choice. Allow them to choose the care they want.
▶ 2:42:54Chair Tuberville: Do not just consider their needs the same as their counterpart male veterans because they are very different. We work more on the menopause act. The course of their service, their medical challenges will be later in life. We need to get the research now to provide the support they need later on in life. >> thank you. Ms. sullivan, thank you so much for being here today.
▶ 2:43:21Chair Tuberville: I want to take a moment to recognize the sacrifice you and sophia and the rest of your family have made. I want to share my admiration for your advocacy on behalf of survivors everywhere. I'm excited for your future, as well. It is such an injustice to me that surviving spouses risk losing their benefits if they choose to remarry before age 55. That is why we need to pass the love lives on act.
▶ 2:43:50Chair Tuberville: Can you share more about what it would mean to you to eliminate the remarriage penalty for surviving spouses? >> thank you so much for your support and the question. At its most basic tenant, to myself, and to others here with us, it would mean that the government is keeping his promise.
▶ 2:44:17Chair Tuberville: It would mean it is keeping his promise to myself and to michael, and to our children. That if something were to happen to him as a result of his service, that we would be taking care of. We did not expect there would be some limitation on that.
▶ 2:44:36Chair Tuberville: We did not expect that in the indignity -- there would be an end to that simply because of a decision to not replace him -- that could never happen. Not as a spouse, not as a father. But to choose to also carry on with our life and our love, that that could end.
▶ 2:45:05Chair Tuberville: And could end some things that are very critical to our family. It would mean that we no longer have to choose between doing what feels very right for myself and for john, or for our families and financial security.
▶ 2:45:27Chair Tuberville: In the end, it would mean we would marry fairly soon after it passes and truly celebrate that love does live on. >> thank you. [applause] thank you for your ongoing service. >> thank you. . I would now like to recognize senator gallego.
▶ 2:45:54Sen. Gallego: Thank you, chairman. I walked in and you were talking about the veterans being penalized when it comes to their vouchers because of a disability, is that correct? >> yes. They will not be disadvantaged by their disability compensation. >> that is great. .
▶ 2:46:18Sen. Gallego: In the road to housing act, I authored a portion of the bill that will permanently -- veterans will not have to make this decision going forward. It is in the bill. It was moving through the senate. We need friends on the house side -- [laughter] to make it. Just to ensure you we have thought about this in that bill. I have kept it in both times.
▶ 2:46:52Sen. Gallego: We are trying to fix it. Hopefully will have it fixed by next week or so. Obviously it is not everything we need but it is moving in the right direction. You mentioned the support for expanding therapies for treatment of ptsd. I'm working to introduce innovative therapy centers. I want to push it across the finish line.
▶ 2:47:20Sen. Gallego: Can you please discuss the current use of innovative therapies and wife centers of excellence are important to ensure veterans have access to these therapies? >> did you ask me? >> I'm sorry. I need to get some readers soon. >> no worries.
▶ 2:47:46Sen. Gallego: We support that because we know right now that the number of tbis across the nation, certainly among veterans, is much higher than we think. We do not have the ability right now to treat all of those tbis. The cbi issue affects not only that service member but the family, as well. We have a number of children in our country that are primary caregivers to veterans because their mother or father's.
▶ 2:48:20Sen. Gallego: We need to make sure we are partnering with the very best in the civilian world. Hospitals that are doing cutting-edge research when it comes to tbis. >> I do not want to interrupt but I want to make sure we communicate that. There are veterans getting therapy but it is not necessarily guided. Some are paying out of pocket, is that correct? >> that is correct.
▶ 2:48:45Sen. Gallego: I agree with the general that that is unfortunate and should not be happening in a country such as ours and we should know these issues have long-lasting effects and we need to make sure they get their health care when and how they need it. We need to explore different ways to solve tbi or mitigate it using a variety of different methods. >> general, do you want to jump in? One of my concerns is whoever gets good therapy now, it is connected to how much money you have.
▶ 2:49:16Sen. Gallego: I know there are a couple programs in mexico, there are some in europe. Some veterans who have the wherewithal or can bundle the money from donors can do. There are some veterans I know personally that are so desperate that they are using any type of program that they hear is good. When you have desperation, you have potential fraudsters and people who will try to take advantage of these men.
▶ 2:49:42Sen. Gallego: If you have v.a.-approved therapies, you could be potentially saving these guys, saving them money and keeping them from damage that may occur. >> we have done an initial research on mdm usea nsync great results. We will have trials. Next year will be able to follow the science. The treatment may not be for everyone. It is working for some.
▶ 2:50:13Sen. Gallego: We should not send them to a different country. We are seeing great promise. I think that will help the v.a. Tied the science together and promote quicker trials. Our numbers the signed up for additional trials far exceed the numbers we will be able to do. There is a big appetite for it. >> thank you. I hope we can push this.
▶ 2:50:38Sen. Gallego: This is more of an issue of a cultural resistance using this verse is actual medical resistance. With proper training, therapy, licensing, there are so many veterans who can benefit from this. People need to get over that idea that this is mdma. >> thank you, senator. I am aware there were some trials in norma linda, which is near me.
▶ 2:51:12Sen. Gallego: I will have to say also regarding this area of tbi and traumatic brain injury and ptsd, I was with some neurologists recently. I'm concerned about the v.a. Research states. The number of positions that. Are vacant it is a topic I want to explore further because it bears on the v.a.
▶ 2:51:40Sen. Gallego: Capacity to move this forward. Thank you. I share your concerns. I do not recognize myself for some more questions before we conclude. -- I now recognize myself are some questions before we conclude. I will be following the committee's progress closely as that greatly impacts the a benefits for service members.
▶ 2:52:10Sen. Gallego: I would like to focus on one benefit specifically. The post 9/11 g.I. Bill eligibility. Service members are serving in the same uniform, taking the same risks as active-duty counterparts but not getting the same g.I. Bill eligibility. 3 out of the 4 chairs are lead sponsors or cosponsors. It would fixed this inequity.
▶ 2:52:40Sen. Gallego: As we are watching our country enter another conflict, how imperative is it the congress get this bill done? >> thank you for the question. It is imperative. We have been working this issue for years and years. It was initiated years ago from congress.
▶ 2:53:04Sen. Gallego: If you are flying a black hawk helicopter during a weekend drill, how is that different service than flying it off an active-duty base? It is the same risk. We think a day in uniform should be a day that counts toward the post 9/11 g.I. Bill and early retirement. We think it is imperative this finally gets passed. We appreciate what congress has done.
▶ 2:53:34Sen. Gallego: It is time to get to the next level. If they are serving whatever status they are in, that time should count. >> major general, here is my point. As national guard and reservists are on the front lines and under threat right now. That is what I'm hearing. That is my point. There is an urgency now to deal with this inequity.
▶ 2:54:02Sen. Gallego: We have guard reserve right now -- it is not the guard reserve we knew in the vietnam war days. Sometimes they would be called up for service and deployed many, many times. It was not a safe haven. Americans understand that. We need to make sure we update how we administer the g.I. Bill accordingly. Would you agree with that? >> I completely agree.
▶ 2:54:28Sen. Gallego: I have had a front row seat to the transition from the one weekend a month and the two weeks in the summer to where we are today. We have guardsmen and women who have done multiple deployments. That is why the whole issue is a concern. My colleague with me today has been through the process four times. She goes off active duty and goes back to her regular job. Has to do 12 hours of this mandatory transition training.
▶ 2:54:59Sen. Gallego: I just got an email