United States Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Congressional and Legislative Affairs

VA Testimony before Congressional Committees

2008 (110th Congress, Second Session)

June 24, 2008
  • Marianne Mathewson-Chapman, National Guard and Reserve Coordinator, Veterans Health Administration, before a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing to discuss the cooperation between the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, the National Guard, and the Reserves.

June 11, 2008
  • Patrick Dunne, Acting Undersecretary for Benefits and Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee update the Committee on the Department of Veterans Affairs' progress in implementing the wounded warrior provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2008.

May 22, 2008
  • Diana Rubens, Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Field Operatsions Veterans Affairs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, to provide information on the Veterans Benefits Administration outreach initiatives designed to address the needs of the brave men and women who are actively serving our country today and those of our distinguished veterans.

  • Joleen Clark, Chief Officer, Workforce Management and Consulting, Department of Veterans Affairs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, to discuss "Human Resources Challenges" within the Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Health Administration.

May 6, 2008
  • The Honorable James B. Peake, M.D., Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to provide information on the issues related to veterans suicide.

April 23, 2008
  • Gordon Mansfield, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and Gordon England, Deputy Secretary of Defense, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss improvements implemented and planned for the care, management and transition of wounded, ill, and injured service members.

April 21, 2008
  • Brian Stiller, Center Director Togus VA Medical Center, before a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health hearing, to discuss the care and services which the Department of Veterans Affairs provide to veterans in Maine.

April 16, 2008
  • Judith Caden, Director, Loan Guaranty Service, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss the underwriting standards used by the Department of Veterans Affairs Loan Guaranty Program at time of loan origination, the loss mitigation tools available to our borrowers over the course of their loans, including guidance given to loan servicers, and performance data of loans guaranteed by VA over the past ten years.

  • Keith Pedigo, Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Policy and Program Management, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss a number of bills that would affect several benefit programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

April 9, 2008
  • Marisa Palkuti, Director, Health Care Retention and Recruitment Office, before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration recruitment and retention programs, work schedules, and other issues related to creating a compassionate, qualified and diverse workforce of health care professionals.

  • Steven Kleinglass, Director, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to discuss recruitment and retention efforts at the Minneapolis, Minnesota VA Medical Center.

  • Pete Dougherty, Director, Homeless Veterans Programs, before the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to discuss Department of Veterans Affairs' programs and services that help homeless veterans achieve self-sufficiency.

  • Sheila Cullen, Director, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to discuss recruitment and retention challenges faced by the San Francisco , Minnesota VA Medical Center.

April 3, 2008
  • Robert Howard, Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, before the HouseAppropriations Subommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies, to discuss the President's Fiscal Year 2009 Information Technology budget proposal for the Department of Veterans Affairs .

April 2, 2008
  • Gregory Goodrich, Ph.D., Supervisory Research Psychologist and Coordinator, Optometry Research Fellowship Program, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, before a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs' research on vision issues and traumatic brain injury.

  • James Orcutt, MD, Chief of Ophthalmology, Patient Care Services, Veterans Health Administration, before a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs' provision of care for veterans needing support for visual impairment and traumatic brain injury.

March 13, 2008
  • Mahdulika Agarwal, M.D., Chief Officer, Patient Care Services, Veterans Health Administration, before a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs' care for seriously wounded veterans after they complete their inpatient care.

March 12, 2008
  • Robert Howard, Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, before the Senate Subommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, to discuss the ability of the Department of Veterans Affairs to protect and secure sensitive data.

March 11, 2008
  • Antoinette Zeiss, Ph.D., Associate Chief Consultant, Office of Mental Health Services, before a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health Hearing, to discuss the ongoing steps that the Department of Veterans Affairs is taking to treat substance abuse and co-morbid disorders.

  • Steven Sayers, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry and Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and Clinical Research Psychologist at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Hearing , to discuss married military veterans with mental health issues.

February 28, 2008
  • Kristin Day, Chief Consultant, Care Management and Social Work Service, Office of Patient Care Services, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss mental health treatment for families and the Department of Veterans Affairs' efforts to support those who support our veterans.

February 27, 2008
  • Donald Orndoff, Director, Office of Construction and Facilities Management, before a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health hearing, to discuss the Department of Veteran Affairs' draft bill to request authorization for six major medical construction projects and twelve major medical facility leases, as well as addressing other issues related to the Department's construction program.

February 26, 2008
  • Bradley Mayes, Director, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, to discuss revising the Department of Veterans Affairs schedule for rating disabilities.

February 14, 2008
  • Michael Walcoff, Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, to discuss the Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) claims inventory and claims processing system.

February 13, 2008
  • The Honorable Gordon Mansfield, Deputy Secretary, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to discuss improvements implemented and planned for the care, management and transition of wounded, ill, and injured service members.

  • Keith Pedigo, Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Policy and Program Management, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss expiring Department of Veterans Affairs programs.

  • Robert Howard, Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the President's Fiscal Year 2009 Information Technology budget proposal for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

February 7, 2008
  • The Honorable James B. Peake, M.D., Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to present the President's 2009 budget proposal for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

February 5, 2008
  • Ruth Fanning, Director, Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs' Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program.

January 29, 2008
  • Gerald Cross, MD, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, before a House Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing, to discuss the reports from Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of the Inspector General and the Office of the Medical Inspector regarding surgical care provided at the Marion, Illinois VA Medical Center.

  • Kim Graves, Director, Office of Business Process Integration, Veterans Benefits Administration, before a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs hearing, to dicuss the use of information technology to enhance claims processing within the Veterans Benefits Administration.

  • Stephen Warren, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, before a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs hearing, to dicuss the use of information technology to enhance claims processing, within the Department of Veterans Affairs , as well as utilizing data from the Veterans Health Information Technology and Architecture (VistA), to assist in the processing of disability claims.

January 17, 2008
  • Keith Wilson, Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss a number of bills that would, in the main, affect educational assistance programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

  • Gerald Cross, MD, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, before a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health hearing, to present the Administration's views on eight bills that would affect Department of Veterans Affairs programs that provide veteran health care benefits and services.

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2007 (110th Congress, First Session)

December 12, 2007
  • Gerald Cross, MD, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, before a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health and Oversight and Investigations hearing, to discuss the issue of outpatient waiting times.

  • Ira Katz, M.D., Deputy Chief Patient Care Services Officer for Mental Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Mental Health program and suicide prevention.

  • Kara Zivin, Ph.D., Research Health Scientist, Health Services Research and Development, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss suicide among veterans treated for depression in the the Department of Veterans Affairs Health System.

November 7, 2007
  • Randall Campbell, Assistant General Counsel, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the performance and structure of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

October 24, 2007
  • Howard Green, Deputy, Operations Management, Veterans Health Information Technology, Office of Enterprise Development, before a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing, to testify on the Sharing of Electronic Medical Information between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

  • Gerald Cross, MD, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, before a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing, to report the progress made by the Department of Veterans Affairs to share electronic medical records with the Department of Defense.

October 18, 2007
  • William Feeley, Deputy Under Secretary for Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration recruitment and retention program for health care professionals.

  • Keith Wilson, Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss the current state of the Montgomery GI Bill and potential ways to improve upon its success and the success of the other educational assistance programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

October 16, 2007
  • Ronald Aument, Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits, before a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to discuss the Veterans Benefits Administration's response to the Institute for Defense Analyses' "Analysis of Differences in Disability Compensation in the Department of Veterans Affairs".

October 9, 2007
  • Michael Walcoff, Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Field Operations, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, to discuss the Veterans Benefits Administration's pending claims inventory and claims backlog.

October 4, 2007
  • Joel Kupersmith, MD, Chief Research and Development Officer, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs medical and prosthetic research program.

September 27, 2007
  • Pete Dougherty, Director, Homeless Veterans Programs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs' Grant and Per Diem program.

September 26, 2007
  • Robert Howard, Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the realignment progress in the Office of Information & Technology.

  • Paul Tibbits, M.D., Deputy Chief Information Officer for the Office of Enterprise Development, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the progress made in VA as a result of the centralization of IT development activities.

September 25, 2007
  • William Feeley, Deputy Under Secretary for Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to ongoing efforts to improve the quality of care that we provide to veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury and complex multiple trauma.

  • Arnold Russo, Director, Appeals Management Center, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, to discuss the operations of the Department of Veterans Affairs Appeals Management Center.

  • Elizabeth Freeman, Director, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Veterans Health Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center located at the Department of Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System.

  • James Terry, Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss with you the Board of Veterans' Appeals' role in the Department of Veterans Affairs' benefits claims adjudication system.

  • Joel Kupersmith, MD, Chief Research and Development Officer, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs Persian Gulf War research programs.

September 20, 2007
  • Keith Wilson, Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits for licensing and certification testing.

September 19, 2007
  • Kim Graves, Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the current state of information technology in the Veterans Benefits Administration.

  • Robert Howard, Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the current status of the VA Office of Information & Technology's reorganization and it's impact on the delivery of healthcare and benefits; the effect of enhanced VA IT security policies and procedures on healthcare and benefits delivery; the status of asset management/inventory control for IT systems; the legacy system transition; joint in-patient record systems; and unresolved problems identified during the realignment.

  • Stephen Lucas, Director, Tampa Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the realignment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Information and Technology.

September 18, 2007
  • The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, discuss the current state of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

September 6, 2007
  • Willie Hensley, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Resources Management, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss veterans' preference and the Department of Veterans Affairs' success in recruiting, and hiring veterans.

August 27, 2007
  • James Hastings, MD, Director, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing in Hawaii, to discuss the state of VA care in the Hawaii.

August 23, 2007
  • Michael Kussman, MD, Under Secretary for Health, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing in Maui, to discuss the state of VA care in Maui.

August 21, 2007
  • Michael Kussman, MD, Under Secretary for Health, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing in Oahu, to discuss VA care in Hawaii and the Pacific region.

  • Ronald Aument, Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing in Oahu, to discuss our efforts to meet the needs of veterans residing in the Pacific Region.

August 17, 2007
  • Miles McFall, Ph.D., Director, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Programs, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing in Tacoma, Washington, to discuss VA Puget Sound Health Care System's service to veterans with stress-related mental disorders.

  • Diana Rubens, Director, Western Area Veterans Benefits Administration, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing in Tacoma, Washington, to discuss the Veterans Benefits Administration's response to the mental health care needs of veterans.

  • Dennis Lewis, Network Director, VISN 20, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing in Tacoma, Washington, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs Northwest Health Network and the mental health services we are honored to provide our nation's veterans.

  • Antoinette Zeiss, Ph.D., Deputy Chief Consultant, Office of Mental Health Services, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing in Tacoma, Washington, to discuss how the Department of Veterans Affairs is addressing the mental health care needs of our veterans.

  • Robert Ramsey, Team Leader, Tacoma, Washington Vet Center Readjustment Counseling Service, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing in Tacoma, Washington, to discuss the role the Tacoma Vet Center plays in providing services within the Puget Sound Health Care System and our service area.

July 31, 2007
  • Keith Wilson, Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss a number of bills that would affect educational assistance programs administered by the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense.

July 26, 2007
  • Scott Denniston, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and the Center for Veterans Enterprise, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss Contract Bundling Oversight.

  • Lawrence Deyton, MD, Chief Public Health and Environmental Hazards Officer, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, to discuss VA's response to the health care and other needs of veterans who have served in combat in Southwest Asia.

July 25, 2007
  • Ira Katz, M.D., Deputy Chief Patient Care Services Officer for Mental Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss multiple diagnoses and specifically about the principle that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder frequently coexists with other mental health conditions.

  • Tracie Shea, Ph.D., Psychologist, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinic, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Providence, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to testify on issues related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Personality Disorders.

July 24, 2007
  • Robert Howard, Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss IT asset management within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

July 21, 2007
  • Glen Grippen, Network Director, VISN 19, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the VA Rocky Mountain Network 19 and the health care services we offer to the veterans it is our privilege to serve.

  • Richard Hartman, Director, VHA Policy, Analysis and Forecasting, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss VA's ongoing efforts to provide safe, effective, efficient and compassionate health care to veterans residing in rural areas.

July 12, 2007
  • Betty Brown, Associate Director, Center for Women Veterans, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, and the Subcommittee on Health, to discuss services for women veterans.

  • Lucretia McClenney, Director, Center for Minority Affairs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, and the Subcommittee on Health, to discuss the mission of the Center for Minority Veterans.

July 9, 2007
  • Rica Lewis-Payton, Deputy Director, Veterans Integrated Service Network 16, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to testify on rebuilding and recovery efforts in southeastern Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

June 27, 2007
  • Robert Henke, Assistant Secretary for Management, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to testify on the Department of Veterans Affairs' acquisition system.

June 20, 2007
  • Michael Kussman, MD, Under Secretary for Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to address the current policy and status of Priority Group 8 veterans.

June 13, 2007
  • Judith Caden, Director, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the progress made by the Department of Veterans Affairs in improving the delivery of employment services and benefits to our Nation's veterans.

June 12, 2007
  • Gordon Mansfield, Deputy Secretary, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to discuss the performance award process for Senior Executives serving within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

June 7, 2007
  • Keith Pedigo, Director, Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs Specially Adaptive Housing programs.

May 24, 2007
  • Antoinette Zeiss, Ph.D., Deputy Chief Consultant, Office of Mental Health Services, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, to discuss the ongoing steps that the Department of Veterans Affairs is taking in order to meet the mental health care needs of our Nation's veterans.

May 22, 2007
  • James Terry, Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, to discuss the challenges facing the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

May 17, 2007
  • Scott Denniston, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and the Center for Veterans Enterprise, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss the current state of the Federal Veterans' Entrepreneurship Program.

May 16, 2007
  • Michael Kussman, MD, Acting Under Secretary for Health, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding his nomination.

May 9, 2007
  • Patricia Vandenberg, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Policy and Planning, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, to discuss the strategic direction and plan for the future of long term care in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

  • Daniel Cooper, Under Secretary for Benefits, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to testify on several bills of great interest to veterans.

May 8, 2007
  • Gerald Cross, MD, Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to discuss sharing electronic medical records between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs and the significant progress the Department of Veterans Affairs has made toward the development of a secure, interoperable and bidirectional electronic health data sharing with the Defense Department.

May 3, 2007
  • Keith Wilson, Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to provide an overview of the accelerated payment benefit and the courses of study that qualify for accelerated payment.

April 25, 2007
  • Patricia Resick, PhD, Director, Women's Division, National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss a national training initiative to train therapists in an effective therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and the women's programs at Department of Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System as an example of best practices for women veterans.

  • David Oslin, MD, Director, Veterans Integrated Service Network 4 Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to describe our substance abuse treatment program at the Philadelphia Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

  • Jan Kemp, RN, PhD, Associate Director for Education, Veterans Integrated Service Network 19 Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss suicide prevention in the Rocky Mountain Network.

April 24, 2007
  • Jack McCoy, Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Policy and Program Management, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, to discuss the important issue of survivors' benefits.

April 19, 2007
  • Sidney Steinberg, MD, Chief of Staff of the W.G.Hefner Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salisbury, North Carolina, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to discuss the quality of health care provided to veterans at the Medical Center.

  • Keith Wilson, Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs education benefit programs and the role of State Approving Agencies.

  • William Feeley, Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and Management, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to discuss the many positive steps the Department of Veterans Affairs utilizes to monitor the healthcare of our veterans and returning warriors.

April 18, 2007
  • Gerald Cross, MD, Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, to discuss ongoing efforts in the Veterans Health Administration to provide safe, effective, efficient and compassionate health care to veterans residing in rural areas.

  • Bradley Mayes, Director, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to provide the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs on the "Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007".

April 17, 2007
  • Ronald Aument, Deputy Undersecretary for Benefits, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, to testify on H.R. 67, the "Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2007"; H.R. 1435, the "Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Backlog Reduction Act of 2007"; H.R. 1444 a bill which would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay an interim benefit in the amount of $500 per month if certain claims for benefits have been remanded by the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims or the Board of Veterans' Appeals; and H.R. 1490, a bill which would establish a presumption of service-connection in certain claims, and for other purposes.

April 12, 2007
  • Daniel Cooper, Under Secretary for Benefits, before a joint hearing of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and the Senate Committee on Armed Services, to discuss the transition of servicemembers from the Department of Defense to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the DoD and VA rating systems.

April 11, 2007
  • Ronald Aument, Deputy Undersecretary for Benefits, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to testify on S. 57, a bill that would deem certain service in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts to have been active service for purposes of benefits under programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

March 27, 2007
  • Michael Kussman, MD, Executive-in-Charge, Veterans Health Administration, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss on the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) efforts to ensure a seamless transition process for our injured service men and women, and our ongoing efforts to continuously improve this process.

March 22, 2007
  • Keith Wilson, Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss the two education benefit programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs for National Guard and Reserve members of the United States Armed Forces, namely, the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve, chapter 1606 of title 10, United States Code, and the Reserve Educational Assistance Program, chapter 1607 of title 10, United States Code.

March 20, 2007
  • Gerald Cross, MD, Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, before a House Appropriations, Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veteransâ?? Affairs, and Related Agencies hearing, to discuss the broad policy issues related to long-term care in the Department of Veterans Affairs and the President's budget proposal to support that care in Fiscal Year 2008.

March 15, 2007
  • Barbara Sigford, MD, PhD, National Program Director for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, to discuss the Veterans Health Administration's seamless transition process from the perspective of the Polytrauma System of Care.

March 14, 2007
  • Joel Kupersmith, MD, Chief Research and Development Officer, before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs and Related Agencies, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs medical and prosthetic research program's fiscal year 2008 budget request.

March 13, 2007
  • Ronald Aument, Deputy Undersecretary for Benefits, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, to discuss the Disability Compensation Program and our efforts to meet the needs of service members and veterans of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

  • Robert Lynch, MD, Director, Veteran Intergrated Service Network 16, before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to discuss our ongoing and planned health care restoration efforts in New Orleans.

  • Daniel Cooper, Under Secretary for Benefits, before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs and Related Agencies, to discuss the Disability Compensation Program.

March 8, 2007
  • Edward Huycke, MD, Chief Department of Defense Coordination Officer, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss the progress the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense have made in improving the delivery of health care and benefits to our nation's veterans.

  • Michael Kussman, MD, Acting Under Secretary for Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to comment on the Veterans Health Administration's efforts to ensure a seamless transition process for our injured service men and women, and our ongoing efforts to continuously improve this process.

  • William Feeley, Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and Management, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss ongoing efforts in the Veterans Health Administration to improve the quality of care we provide to veterans returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

  • Pete Dougherty, Director, Homeless Veterans Programs, before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs and Related Agencies, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs' programs and services that help homeless veterans achieve self sufficiency.

  • Ira Katz, MD, PhD, Deputy Chief Patient Care Services Officer for Mental Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to discuss the ongoing steps that the Department of Veterans Affairs is taking in order to meet the mental health care needs of our Nation's returning veterans.

  • Shane McNamee, MD, Medical Director of the Richmond Polytrauma program, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss the transition of our Wounded Heroes through the Veterans Health Administration.

  • Steven Scott, MD, Medical Director of the Tampa Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to discuss our experience as it relates to the "Service Members Seamless Transition into Civilian Life - our Hero's Return."

  • Michael Kussman, MD, Acting Under Secretary for Health, before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs and Related Agencies, to discuss the ongoing steps that the Department of Veterans Affairs is taking in order to meet the mental health care needs of our Nation's veterans.

March 7, 2007
  • Keith Wilson, Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs education benefit programs.

  • James Terry, Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding the Board of Veterans' Appeals' role in the VA benefits claims system.

  • Daniel Cooper, Under Secretary for Benefits, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the Disability Compensation Program.

  • Bill Borom, Deputy Director, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

  • Keith Pedigo, Director, Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs Loan Guaranty Program and our commitment to meeting the housing needs of our nation's veterans.

March 6, 2007
  • Michael Kussman, MD, Acting Under Secretary for Health, before a House Appropriations, Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veteransâ?? Affairs, and Related Agencies hearing, to discuss the Veterans Health Administration overall health care delivery. The Veterans Health Administration is requesting $36.6 billion for medical care in 2008.

February 28, 2007
  • Keith Wilson, Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, to discuss the impact of changes to the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve and the Reserve Educational Assistance Program.

  • Robert Howard, Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to discuss changes underway in the area of Information Technology.

  • Gordon Mansfield, Deputy Secretary, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to discuss the changes underway in the Department of Veterans Affairs' Information Protection program.

  • James Bagian, MD, Chief Patient Safety Officer, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to discuss the issues of IT security, patient safety, culture and their relationships.

February 15, 2007
  • The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before a House Appropriations, Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veteransâ?? Affairs, and Related Agencies hearing, to discuss the Department's FY 2008 Budget Request.

  • Ronald Aument, Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits, regarding the benefits the Department of Veterans Affairs provides to World War II Filipino veterans.

February 8, 2007
  • The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to present the President's 2008 budget proposal for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

January 31, 2007
  • Scott Denniston, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and the Center for Veterans Enterprise, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs' efforts to provide opportunities for veterans in business

January 23, 2007
  • Gordon H. Mansfield, Deputy Secretary, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the progress made by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense toward improving the delivery of health care and benefits to our Nation's veterans.

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2006 (109th Congress, Second Session)

December 7, 2006
  • Gordon Mansfield, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to testify on VA's actions regarding the recommendations of the "Report of the Congressional Commission on Servicemembers and Veterans Transition Assistance."

September 29, 2006
  • Gerald Cross, Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, Department of Veterans Affairs, before the House Veterans Subcommittee on Health, to discuss ongoing efforts in the Veterans Health Administration to improve the quality of care we provide to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.

September 27, 2006
  • Keith Wilson, Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel and the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss the the Department of Veterans Affairs education benefit programs.

  • Jack McCoy, Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Policy and Program Management, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, to discuss the VA Pension Programs.

September 26, 2006
  • Robert Howard, nominee for Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding his nomination.

September 13, 2006
  • Michael Walcoff, Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Field Operations, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, to discuss training for Veterans Benefits Administration claims adjudicators.

September 7, 2006
  • Thomas Lastowka, Director, VA Regional Office and Insurance Center, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the new Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance benefit, Traumatic Injury Protection.

August 2, 2006
  • Keith Pedigo, Director, Loan Guaranty Service, before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Housing and Transportation, to discuss the VA Loan Guaranty Program.

  • Peter Dougherty, Director, Homeless Veterans Programs, before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Housing and Transportation, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs' programs and services that help homeless veterans achieve their housing needs.

July 25, 2006
  • Barbara Panther, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Resources Management, before the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency Organization, concerning the employment of retirees and waivers of dual compensation.

July 20, 2006
  • The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding the theft of computer equipment containing VA data from the home of a VA employee on May 3, 2006.

July 19, 2006
  • Jack McCoy, Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Policy and Program Management, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, regarding the role of national, state, and regional or local veterans' service organizations and state and local government veterans agencies in the Department of Veterans Affairs disability claims process.

July 18, 2006
  • Gordon Mansfield, Deputy Secretary, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to provide the Department's views on eight bills, all intended to protect the personal privacy of veterans and others affected by the May 3, 2006 theft of computer equipment containing veterans' personal data.

July 13, 2006
  • James Terry, Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding the increase in the number of appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

June 29, 2006
  • The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding the theft of computer equipment containing VA data from the home of a VA employee on May 3, 2006.

June 28, 2006
  • Robert Howard, Senior Advisor to the Deputy Secretary, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs information technology reorganization plan and the recent data loss incident.

June 27, 2006
  • Jonathan Perlin, MD, Under Secretary for Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, to discuss ongoing efforts in the Veterans Health Administration to provide safe, effective, efficient and compassionate health care to veterans residing in rural areas.

June 22, 2006
  • Tim McClain, General Counsel, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss certain legal implications of the May 3, 2006, theft from a VA employee's home of personal-identifying information concerning veterans, service members and some spouses.

  • Michael Kussman, MD, Michael Kussman, MD, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, before the Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee on on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security, to discuss the comprehensive electronic medical record used by VA to provide world-class medical care and support to our veterans, and the significant progress VA has made toward the development of secure, interoperable health technologies that support health data sharing with the Department of Defense.

June 21, 2006
  • Michael Kussman, MD, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, to provide an overview of the Veterans Health Administration data management and security procedures in place to ensure the safety and integrity of veterans' electronic health records, and to safeguard sensitive personal veteran information from internal and external security threats.

June 20, 2006
  • Michael Staley, Assistant Inspector General for Auditing, before a joint meeting of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, and the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, concerning the Office of Inspector General's (OIG) reports addressing information security weaknesses in the Department of Veterans Affairs and data security practices and policies in the Veterans Benefits Administration.

  • Ronald Aument, Deputy Undersecretary for Benefits, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss data security in the Veterans Benefits Administration.

June 19, 2006
  • William Fillman, Director, Central Area of the Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to discuss the role of the Veterans Benefits Administration in providing transitional assistance to members of the National Guard and Reserves in the State of South Dakota.

June 8, 2006
  • The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the House Committee on Government Reform, to present an overview of VA privacy and security policies and procedures, along with the Department's views on the adequacy of current legislation, regulations and policies governing privacy, information security and data breach notification.

  • Ronald Aument, Deputy Undersecretary for Benefits, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to a number of legislative items of great interest to veterans.

May 11, 2006
  • Jonathan Perlin, MD, Under Secretary for Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs' construction program and 5 Year Capital Plan.

  • Michael Kussman, MD, Principal Under Secretary for Health, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to present the Administration's views on several bills that would affect Department of Veterans Affairs programs that provide veterans benefits and services.

April 27, 2006
  • Gordon Mansfield, Deputy Secretary, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to present the Administration's views on draft legislation and technical amendments.

April 6, 2006
  • The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the House Appropriations subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, to present the President's 2007 budget proposal for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

  • Jonathan Perlin, MD, Under Secretary for Health, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs' construction program and 5 Year Capital Plan.

  • William Tuerk, Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, to testify on a number of legislative items of great interest to veterans.

March 29, 2006
  • The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, to present the President's 2007 budget proposal for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

  • Michael Kussman, MD, Principal Under Secretary for Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the progress, advances and future direction of the Department of Veterans Affairs Project HERO (Healthcare Effectiveness through Resource Optimization) pilot program.

  • Robert McFarland, Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies, to discuss the importance of electronic health records and the tremendous progress made by the Department of Veterans Affairs toward the development of these technologies and the sharing of information with our close partner, the Department of Defense.

March 28, 2006
  • Gordon Mansfield, Deputy Secretary, before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies, to discuss the Joint Incentive Fund, one of many important collaborative efforts between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.

March 16, 2006
  • Jack McCoy, Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Policy and Program Management, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, regarding our efforts to reach out to servicemembers, veterans, and their survivors and make them aware of the full range of benefits and services to which they may be entitled.

  • Peter H. Dougherty, Director, Homeless Veterans Programs, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs' programs and services for homeless veterans.

March 9, 2006
  • Judith Caden, Director, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunities, to discuss specific elements of the Department of Veterans Affairs' Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program.

March 8, 2006
  • Michael Moreland, Director, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to testify on the important topic of improving veterans' access to care through collaborations.

  • Jonathan Perlin, MD, Under Secretary for Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, regarding collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.

March 2, 2006
  • Gordon Mansfield, Deputy Secretary, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to discuss the President's Fiscal Year 2007 information technology (IT) budget proposal for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

February 16, 2006
  • The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to present the President's 2007 budget proposal for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

  • James Terry, Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, regarding the Fiscal Year 2007 budget request for the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

  • Daniel Cooper, Under Secretary for Benefits, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs fiscal year 2007 budget request for the compensation and pension programs.

February 14, 2006
  • Ronald Aument, Deputy Undersecretary for Benefits, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' 2007 budget requests for the Education, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, and Loan Guaranty programs.

  • Jonathan Perlin, MD, Under Secretary for Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, regarding the President's 2007 budget proposal for the Veterans Health Administration.

February 13, 2006
  • Jonathan Perlin, MD, Under Secretary for Health, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing, to discuss the state of VA care in Hawaii.

February 8, 2006
  • The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to present the President's 2007 budget proposal for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

February 6, 2006
  • James Sullivan, Deputy Director, Office of Asset Enterprise Management, Office of Management, before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security, regarding efforts and processes to strategically manage underutilized and vacant space within the Department of Veterans Affairs system.

January 13, 2006
  • Diana Rubens, Director, Western Area, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing, to the Veterans Benefits Administration's response to the needs of veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

  • Jon Harlan, MSW, Team Leader, Hilo Vet Center, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing, to outline the role of the Hilo Vet Center in providing care and services to veterans of all eras, with special emphasis on newly returning veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

January 11, 2006
  • Fred Gusman, MSW, Chief Operating Officer, VA Pacific Island Division, Honolulu, HI and Director, VA National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Education and Clinical Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing, to discuss the role of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Center for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in meeting the mental health care needs of veterans and service members returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

January 10, 2006
  • Jonathan Perlin, MD, Under Secretary for Health, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing, to discuss the state of VA care in Hawaii.

  • Stephen Molnar, MSW, Team Leader, Honolulu Vet Center, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing, to discuss the state of VA care in Hawaii.

January 9, 2006
  • Jonathan Perlin, MD, Under Secretary for Health, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing, to discuss the state of VA care in Hawaii.

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2005 (109th Congress, First Session)

December 7, 2005
  • James Terry, Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals, before the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, regarding the operations of the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

  • Ronald Aument, MD, Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits, before the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, regarding the Disability Compensation Program.

November 15, 2005
  • Lawrence Dayton, MD, Chief Consultant for Public Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to discuss the activities taken by the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system related to seasonal and pandemic influenza preparedness.

  • Susan Mather, MD, Under Secretary for Benefits, before the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations, to discuss implementation of Public Law 105-277, the "Persian Gulf War Veterans Act" of 1998; to review the Department's statutory obligations under section 101 of Public Law 105-368, the "Veterans Programs Enhancement Act of 1998"; and to provide a status of the studies and reports on Gulf War Health conducted by the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine.

November 10, 2005
  • The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss ongoing repair and recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

October 27, 2005
  • Daniel Cooper, Under Secretary for Benefits, before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, regarding the issue of Individual Unemployability.

October 20, 2005
  • Gordon Mansfield, Deputy Secretary, before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs information technology infrastructure reorganization assessment.

  • Jonathan Perlin, MD, Under Secretary for Health, before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs, to discuss the ongoing efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) process.

  • Steven Brown, MD, Director, Compensation and Pension Examination Program, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, regarding improving compensation and pension (C&P) exam quality.

  • Ronald Aument, Deputy Undersecretary for Benefits, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, regarding disability compensation claims decisions and recommendations for standardizing the adjudicative process.

October 6, 2005
  • Robert Neary, Jr., Acting Chief Facilities Management Officer, before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security, regarding an overview of the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) leasing program.

September 29, 2005
  • George Opfer, Inspector General-Designate, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding his nomination to serve as Inspector General.

  • John Molino, Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning-Designate, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding his nomination to serve as Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning.

  • Robert Kolodner, MD, Chief Health Informatics Officer, before the House Committee on Government Reform, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs' work in the field of health information technology.

  • William Tuerk, Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs-Designate, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding his nomination to serve as Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs.

  • Rober Henke, Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Management)-Designate, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding his nomination to serve as Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Management).

  • Lisette Mondello, Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs-Designate, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding her nomination to serve as Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs.

September 26, 2005
  • Tim S. McClain, General Counsel and Chief Management Officer, before a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health field Hearing, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs' valued partnership with the Medical University of South Carolina.

September 21, 2005
  • Tim McClain, General Counsel and Chief Management Officer, before a House Government Reform Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance, and Accountability Hearing, concerning the requirements and accounting standards for managerial cost accounting.

September 19, 2005
  • James Whitson, Director, Eastern Area Veterans Benefits Administration, before a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity field hearing, to discuss the role of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in providing transition assistance for members of the National Guard and Reserves, and the comprehensive transition assistance provided to members of the National Guard and Reserves by the Manchester Regional Office.

  • Timothy Beebe, Northeast Regional Manager, Readjustment Counseling Service, before a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity field hearing, to discuss the activities of VA's Vet Center program and the role it plays in providing outreach and care to veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and the role of the Vet Centers in the recent New Hampshire National Guard Reverse Soldier Readiness Program.

September 14, 2005
  • Gordon Mansfield, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) information technology infrastructure reorganization assessment.

August 22, 2005
  • Jeannette Chirico-Post, M.D., Network Director, VISN 1, before a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health field hearing, to discuss "Rural Veterans' Access to Primary Care: Successes and Challenges."

  • John Sims, Togus VA Medical Center, before a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health field hearing, regarding Rural Veterans' Access to Primary Care in Maine.

August 16, 2005
  • Lawrence Biro, Network Director, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee field hearing, to discuss veterans' rural healthcare in VISN 19 and in the state of Colorado.

  • Michael Murphy, Ph.D., Medical Center Director, Grand Junction VA Medical Center, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee field hearing, to discuss veterans' rural healthcare at the Grand Junction VA Medical Center.

August 3, 2005
  • Stephen Hunt, M.D., Director, Deployment Health Clinic, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee field hearing, regarding work that is being done to meet the needs of combat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

  • Dennis Lewis, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health Operations and Management, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee field hearing, regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' preparedness to meet the needs of returning Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans.

  • Ronald Boxmeyer, Director, Seattle VA Regional Office, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee field hearing, regarding Veterans Benefits Administration's response to the needs of veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

  • Kristine Arnold, Director, Seattle VA Regional Office, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee field hearing, regarding Veterans Benefits Administration's response to the needs of veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

August 1, 2005
  • Jonathan Perlin, Under Secretary for Health, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' preparedness to meet the needs of returning Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans

  • Diana Rubens, Director, Western Area Office, Veterans Benefits Administration, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee field hearing, regarding the Veterans Benefits Administration's response to the needs of veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

July 27, 2005
  • Keith Pedigo, Director, Loan Guaranty Service, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, regarding veterans-related legislation before the 109th Congress.

  • Alfonso Batres, Ph.D., Chief Readjustment Counseling Officer, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' Vet Center program and the role Vet Centers play in providing care and services to veterans returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

  • Matthew Friedman M.D., Ph.D., Executive Director of the VA's National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding a variety of issues related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

  • Michael Kussman, M.D., Deputy Under Secretary for Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' Post Traumatic Stress Disorder programs, and the Department's capability of meeting the mental health and physical health needs of veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, in their seamless transition from Department of Defense to Department of Veterans Affairs care.

July 26, 2005
  • Michael Kussman, MD, Deputy Under Secretary for Health, before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, regarding the Department's efforts to meet the mental health as well as physical health needs of veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, in their seamless transition from Department of Defense to VA care.

July 19, 2005
  • Susan Mather, Chief Public Health and Environmental Hazards Officer, before the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations, regarding some of the major initiatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs in response to the health care and other needs of veterans returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom .

July 14, 2005
  • James Terry, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding his confirmation as Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

July 6, 2005
  • Jack Hetrick, Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing in Chicago, Illinois, regarding how the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital is prepared to meet the needs of veterans returning from Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

  • Ronald Aument, Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing in Chicago, Illinois, regarding pay disparities for disability compensation benefits and the ongoing initiatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure consistency in disability rating decisions.

June 30, 2005
  • The Honorable James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the budget forecasting and finances of the Veterans Health Administration.

  • Robert Kolodner, MD, Acting Veterans Health Administration Chief Health Informatics Officer, before the House Committee on Science, Commerce, and Transportation Subcommittee on Technology, Innovation, and Competitiveness, regarding the Department's work in the field of health information technology.

June 29, 2005
  • Judith Caden, Director, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, regarding the Transition Assistance Program and Disabled Transition Assistance Program.

June 23, 2005
  • Jonathan Perlin, Under Secretary for Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' actuarial health care demand model.

  • Daniel Cooper, Under Secretary for Benefits, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding several bills concerning important programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

June 9, 2005
  • James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Hearing, to present the Department's views on several different bills being considered by the Committee.

May 26, 2005
  • Daniel Cooper, Under Secretary for Benefits, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding the extremely important work of the Veterans Benefits Administration.

May 25, 2005
  • Jack McCoy, Director, Education Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, regarding the Administration's views on three bills that would affect Department of Veterans Affairs programs providing veterans' benefits and services.

May 19, 2005
  • John Brown, Director, Seamless Transition Office, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, regarding efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) toward effecting a seamless transition for separating service members from the Department of Defense to VA.

  • Lynda S. Petty, Veterans Benefits Administration Officer-In-Charge for Veterans Benefits, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, regarding her role in providing Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom patients with timely, accurate information about benefits for veterans.

  • Brenda Faas, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)/Department of Defense Liaison for Health Care, Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, regarding VA's Seamless Transition Program.

May 12, 2005
  • Jonathan Perlin, Under Secretary for Health, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding VA's Long-Term Care Programs.

May 5, 2005
  • Lawrence Brio, Network Director, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing in Elko, Nevada, regarding healthcare in VISN 19 and in Elko, Nevada.

  • James Floyd, Director, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing in Elko, Nevada, regarding veterans healthcare.

  • Michael Walcoff, Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Field Operations, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' Appeals Management Center operations.

  • Ron Garvin, Acting Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, regarding the operations of the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

April 21, 2005
  • Robert McFarland, Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, before the House Committee on Government Reform, regarding the Department's information technology program.

April 7, 2005
  • Jonathan Perlin, Acting Under Secretary for Health, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding his confirmation.

March 17, 2005
  • Jonathan Perlin, Acting Secretary for Health, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding a seamless transition for separating service members from the Department of Defense health care system to the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system.

  • David Hosking, Global War on Terrorism Outreach Readjustment Counselor, Madison Wisconsin Vet Center, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding Vet Center assistance to returning veterans and the role of a Global War on Terrorism Outreach Readjustment Counselor.

  • Joseph Costello, Team Leader, Vista Vet Center, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding the role of the Vista Vet Center in providing care and services to veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

March 15, 2005
  • James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before a Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing, regarding the President's 2006 budget proposal for VA.

March 8, 2005
  • James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before a House Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Hearing, regarding the President's 2006 budget proposal for VA.

February 16, 2005
  • James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before a House Veterans' Affairs Committee Hearing, regarding the President's 2006 budget proposal for VA.

February 15, 2005
  • James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Hearing, regarding the President's 2006 budget proposal for VA.

February 3, 2005
  • Daniel Cooper, Under Secretary for Benefits, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding the important issue of survivors' benefits.

February 1, 2005
  • Robert Epley, Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Policy and Program Management, before the Senate Committee on Armed Services, regarding benefits for survivors of military veterans.

January 24, 2005
  • James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding his confirmation.

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2004 (108th Congress, Second Session)

December 14, 2004
  • Lawrence Deyton, MD, MSPH, Chief Consultant, Public Health Strategic Health Care Group, Veterans Health Administration, before the House Committee on Government Reform, regarding medical programs for veterans with hepatitis C.

September 30, 2004
  • William A. Moorman, Nominee for appointment to the U. S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding his confirmation.

  • Robert Pittman, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding his confirmation.

September 22, 2004
  • Gordon H. Mansfield, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, regarding the Department's views on the presentation of Gold Medals to Native American Code Talkers and to discuss the Department's outreach efforts to American Indian veterans.

August 26, 2004
  • Gordon H. Mansfield, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) actions taken since September 11, 2001, to improve its security and emergency preparedness, and its ability to respond to bio-terrorism attacks and other emergency situations.

July 24, 2004
  • Anthony Principi, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, regarding the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES).

July 22, 2004
  • Robert Kolodner, MD, Acting Chief Health Informatics Officer and Deputy Chief Information Officer for Health, before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, regarding electronic health records and the role of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in the development, use, and sharing of this valuable technology.

  • Rory Cooper, PhD, Senior Career Research Scientist and Director, Center of Excellence for Wheelchairs and Associated Rehabilitation Engineering, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding how VA's ongoing research and development intersects with the promotion of full participation in society of veterans with severe mobility impairments.

  • Michael Kussman, MD, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) in research and amputee care for veterans of current and past conflicts, and on VA's blind rehabilitation program.

  • Nancy Strohm, Visual Impairment Services Team Coordinator, VA Medical Center, Lebanon, PA, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding VA's commitment to providing quality services to our blind and visually impaired veterans.

  • Penny Schuckers, Chief, Eastern Blind Rehabilitation Center, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding VA's commitment to providing quality services to our blind and visually impaired veterans.

  • Bruce Davis, Deputy Visual Impairment Services Team Coordinator, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding VA's commitment to providing quality services to our blind and visually impaired veterans.

July 21, 2004
  • Kenneth Ruyle, Acting Chief Business Officer, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, regarding the Department's revenue program and the current status of the implementation of the Patient Financial Services System.

July 15, 2004
  • Scott Denniston, Director, Office of Small Business and Center for Veterans Enterprise, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and the House Committee on Small Business, regarding Department of Veterans Affairs activities to implement the veteran and service-disabled veteran-owned small business programs as envisioned by Public Law 106-50 and 108-183.

July 13, 2004
  • Anthony Principi, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, regarding the Samaritan Initiative of 2004.

June 24, 2004
  • Lawrence Biro, Director, VA Rocky Mountain Healthcare Network, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, regarding the potential sharing agreement with DoD on the Fitzsimons campus.

June 22, 2004
  • Gordon H. Mansfield, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding a number of bills that would primarily affect Department of Veterans Affairs programs of veterans benefits and services.

June 17, 2004
  • Gordon Mansfield, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding stewardship of America's programs of veterans benefits and services.

June 7, 2004
  • Ricardo Randle, Director, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office, Hartford, Connecticut, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, to discuss OneVA sharing opportunities between the Hartford VA Regional Office and the Newington Campus of the VA Connecticut Healthcare System.

  • Roger Johnson, Director, Connecticut VA Healthcare System, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, to discuss mproving health care services to veterans in the State of Connecticut.

  • Richard A. Sapp, Jr., Military Services Coordinator, Fort Drum, NY, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, to discuss how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) team at Fort Drum assists the Connecticut National Guard and other troops during the demobilization process.

  • Fred S. Wright, MD, Associate Chief of Staff for Research, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, to discuss health care facilities and opportunities for improving health care for veterans in the State of Connecticut.

  • Jeannette Chirico-Post, MD, Network Director, VA New England Healthcare System, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, to discuss mproving health care services to veterans in the State of Connecticut.

June 1, 2004
  • Johnathan Perlin, MD, Acting Under Secretary for Health, before the House Committee on Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations, to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs' research program on Gulf War veterans' illnesses.

May 18, 2004
  • Gordon Mansfield, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding programs and services for homeless veterans.

  • John Kuhn, Chief, Homeless Services, Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding programs and services for homeless veterans.

May 6, 2004
  • Gordon H. Mansfield, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, to present the Department's views on several bills and a draft bill pertaining primarily to veteran's health care and related administrative matters.

  • Marsha Tansey Four, Chair, Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, regarding H.R. 3849, the Military Sexual Trauma Counseling Act of 2004, a bill which would permanently authorize VA's program to provide counseling services and care for sexual trauma.

  • Robert Van Keuren, Chair, Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, regarding H.R. 4248, the Homeless Veterans Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2004, a bill which would extend VA's authority to carry out the Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program.

April 29, 2004
  • Robert J. Epley, Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Policy and Program Management, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Benefits, to present the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs on several bills of great interest to our Nation's veterans

April 28, 2004
  • Michael Kussman, MD, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, regarding the Department's research into Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease.

April 13, 2004
  • Jose Coronado, Director, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, regarding veterans' health care in the Texas Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 17) Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 17).

April 6, 2004
  • Anthony J. Principi, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Departments of Veterans' Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies hearing regarding the President's Fiscal Year 2005 budget proposal for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

April 1, 2004
  • Pamela Iovino, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding her confirmation as Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs.

  • Robert Davis, Nominee for appointment to the U. S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding his confirmation.

  • Dorcas R. Hardy, Chairman, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Task Force, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Benefits, regarding the findings and recommendations of the 2004 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Task Force.

March 31, 2004
  • Frances M. Murphy, MD, Deputy Under Secretary for Health Policy Coordination, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, regarding Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) procedures for background checks and credentialing of its health care providers.

  • Anthony J. Principi, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Departments of Veterans' Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies hearing regarding the President's Fiscal Year 2005 budget proposal for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

March 30, 2004
  • Jonathan Perlin, Deputy Under Secretary for Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' Transitional Pharmacy Benefit Program.

March 26, 2004
  • Charleen Szabo, Acting Network Director, VA Stars & Stripes Healthcare Network, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing in Erie, Pennsylvania, regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' long history of supporting small business and particularly minority-owned small businesses in the Department's acquisition program.

March 22, 2004
  • Elwood Headley, MD, Network Director, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 8, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee field hearing at Bay Pines, regarding veterans' health care in Florida

  • Smith Jenkins, Director, VA Medical Center, Bay Pines, Florida before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee field hearing at Bay Pines, regarding the state of health care at the Bay Pines facility.

  • William H. Campbell, Assistant Secretary for Management, before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee field hearing at Bay Pines, regarding veterans' health care in Florida.

March 17, 2004
  • Robert N. McFarland, Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' information technology program.

March 16, 2004
  • Charleen Szabo, Acting Network Director, VA Stars & Stripes Healthcare Network, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding VISN 4's ongoing efforts with regard to CARES.

March 11, 2004
  • Robert H. Roswell, MD, Under Secretary for Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, regarding the care of veterans who may be suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a consequence of their exposure to the hardships of deployment and the rigors of combat.

March 2, 2004
  • Robert H. Roswell, M.D., Under Secretary for Health, before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to discuss the Department's ongoing efforts with regard to CARES.

  • Everett Alvarez, Jr., CARES Commission Chairman, before the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, to present the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services Commission's Report.

February 25, 2004
  • Michael J. Kussman, MD, Deputy Chief Patient Care Services Officer, before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Total Force, regarding a seamless transition for separating service members from the Department of Defense health care system to the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system.

  • Susan Mather, Chief Public Health and Environmental Hazards Officer, before the Senate Committee on Armed Services, regarding programs in the Veterans Health Administration, addressing military sexual trauma.

February 17, 2004
  • Scott Denniston, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, before the House Small Business Committee, regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' long history of supporting small business and particularly minority-owned small businesses in the Department's acquisition program.

February 12, 2004
  • Anthony J. Principi, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before a House Budget Committee hearing regarding the President's Fiscal Year 2005 budget proposal for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

February 10, 2004
  • Anthony J. Principi, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing regarding the President's Fiscal Year 2005 budget proposal for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

February 4, 2004
  • Anthony J. Principi, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing regarding the President's Fiscal Year 2005 budget proposal for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

January 28, 2004
  • Robert H. Roswell, Under Secretary for Health, Veterans Health Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding continued enhancement of VA's long-term care programs.

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2003 (108th Congress, First Session)

November 19, 2003
  • Frances Murphy, MD, Deputy Under Secretary for Health Policy Coordination, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, regarding the progress being made by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to share health information and to develop a veteran-centric, seamless electronic health record.

October 30, 2003
  • Robert McFarland, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding his confirmation.

October 21, 2003
  • Robert Roswell, M.D., Under Secretary for Health, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, regarding legislative proposals that will greatly enhance VA's ability to recruit and retain the highest quality physicians, dentists, and nurses to care for the Nation's veterans.

October 16, 2003
  • Robert H. Roswell, MD, Under Secretary for Health, Veterans Health Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding the VA's efforts toward a seamless transition for returning service members.

October 3, 2003
  • William H. Campbell, Assistant Secretary for Management, before the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Organization, regarding human capital succession planning.

October 2, 2003
  • Mary C. Raymer, RN, Nursing Education Program Manager, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigation, regarding the impact of the nursing workforce shortage on the Department of Veterans Affairs.

  • Sandra K. Janzen, RN, Associate Chief of Staff/Nursing, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigation, regarding the Magnet Nursing Services Recognition Program and how Magnet credentialing may improve recruitment and retention associated with the nursing shortage in Department of Veterans Affairs facilities.

  • Cathy Rick, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Veterans Health Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigation, regarding the impact of the national nursing shortage on the Veterans Health Administration.

September 30, 2003
  • Robert H. Roswell, MD, Under Secretary for Health, Veterans Health Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, regarding the Administration's views.

September 25, 2003
  • Thomas Lastowka, Director, Philadelphia VA Regional Office and Insurance Center, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Benefits, regarding life insurance programs that are supervised and administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

September 23, 2003
  • Anthony Principi, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding a proposal to limit disability compensation eligibility to veterans with disabilities directly related to the performance of duty. Note: Only oral testimony was given.

September 11, 2003
  • Anthony Principi, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, regarding the process that produced VA's Draft National CARES (Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services) Plan.

July 29, 2003
  • Tim McClain, General Counsel, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding the Administration's views on six bills that pertain primarily to the veterans health-care system.

July 16, 2003
  • Ronald Henke, Director, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Benefits, regarding the Fiduciary Program in the Veterans Benefits Administration.

July 15, 2003
  • Robert H. Roswell, MD, Under Secretary for Health, Veterans Health Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, regarding the Administration's views on H.R. 1585, a bill to establish an office to oversee research compliance and assurance within the Veterans Health Administration.

July 10, 2003
  • Daniel L. Cooper, Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration, before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding veterans benefits legislation being considered by the 108th Congress.

July 9, 2003
  • Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD, Deputy Under Secretary for Health, Veterans Health Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigation, regarding pre- and post-deployment health issues, and VA's role in the care of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

June 18, 2003
  • Robert H. Roswell, MD, Under Secretary for Health, Veterans Health Administration, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigation, regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' human research participant protection program.

June 17, 2003
  • Leo Mackay, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding the recommendations in the Final Report issued by the "President's Task Force to Improve Health Care Delivery For Our Nation's Veterans".

  • William H. Campbell, Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer, before the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Government Efficiency and Financial Management, regarding VA's implementation of the strategies for debt collection found in the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996.

June 11, 2003