member blumenthal and distinguished members of the committee on behalf of our national commander michael hamm in the 2.3 million members of the american legion we thank you for this opportunity to testify regarding the american legion steel of the progress of the veterans choice program. the american legion supported the access to choice and accountability act of 2014 as a means of addressing emerging problems than the department of veterans affairs. v-8 waits for medical care have reached an unacceptable level as veteran struggled to reset access to timely health care within the va health care system. it was clear this with changes were needed to ensure that veterans have access to health canada timely matter. as a result the american legion to charge by setting up veterans benefits centers in big and small cities across the country to assist veterans in need and their families as a result of the systemic scheduling crisis facing the va. the american legion dbc charges work first-hand with veterans experiencing difficulty in obtaining health care are having difficulty in receiving their bene

member blumenthal and distinguished members of the committee on behalf of our national commander michael hamm in the 2.3 million members of the american legion we thank you for this opportunity to testify regarding the american legion steel of the progress of the veterans choice program. the american legion supported the access to choice and accountability act of 2014 as a means of addressing emerging problems than the department of veterans affairs. v.a. waits for medical care have reached an unacceptable level as veteran struggled to reset access to timely health care within the va health care system. it was clear this with changes were needed to ensure that veterans have access to health care in a timely matter. as a result the american legion took charge by setting up veterans benefits centers in big and small cities across the country to assist veterans in need and their families as a result of the systemic scheduling crisis facing the va. the american legion dbc charges work first-hand with veterans experiencing difficulty in obtaining health care are having difficulty in receiving thei

. >> on behalf of our national commander, michael hamm and the 2.3 million members of the american legion we thank you for this opportunity to testify. it's reached an unacceptable level nationwide has veterans struggle to receive access to timely health care within the va health care system. it was clear that swift changes were needed to ensure veterans could access health care in a timely manner. the american he john vbc charges to work first hand with veterans experiencing difficulties in obtaining health care or having difficulties in receiving their benefits. according to the v.a. latest daily choice metrics dated november 31st 2015 there were approximately 51000 authorizations issued for non-v.a. care since implementation of the choice program with about 49,000 scheduled. the american he john is optimistic that the recent rule change by eliminating the straight line rule and using the actual driving distance will allow more veterans access to health care under the choice program. everyone will see increases in utilization and access to non-v.a. health care. we now call upon the hous

i'm sure some of my staff is running around right now in the michael jordan and mia hamm buildings, theyb rats for your new gear. but it is wonderful to be here, please give it up for two people who fight every single day for oregon workers, your representatives in congress, they do a great job. earl bluminar and suzanne luminicci. give them a big round of applause and two people who couldn't make it here today bucks they're doing a great job and you should give them a round of applause as well. ron widen and kurt schrader. so it is great to be at the world headquarters of such an iconic company. a company that helps athletes succeed. from the individual to the world stage. and as you've heard, i've come to oregon to talk a little bit about trade. which initially may have had some people thinking, what is mariota going someplace we didn't know about? or, yeah. and he's going to be great. he's -- he's an outstanding young man. and from hawaii, by the way. local boy. this is important and i want to tell you whyty think trade deals and our willingness to go out there and compete on the glob

[applause] i'm sure some of my staff is running around right now in the michael jordan and mia hamm buildingsnew gear. but, it is wonderful to be here. please give it up for two people who fight every single day for oregon workers, your representatives in congress, they do a great job. earl blumenauer, and suzanne bonamici. they are here. [applause] and there are two people who

[applause] i'm sure some of my staff is running around right now in the michael jordan and mia hamm buildingsant to be lab rats for your new gear. but, it is wonderful to be here. please give it up for two people who fight every single day for oregon workers, your representatives in congress, they do a great job. earl blumenauer, and suzanne bonamici. they are here. [laughter] [applause] and there are two people who couldn't make it here today, but doing a great job, give them a run applause. that is senator ron wyden and representative kurt schrader. [applause] it is great to be at the world headquarters of such an iconic company. a company that helps athletes succeed, from, the individual to the world stage. as you've heard i have come to oregon to talk a little it about trade. which, initially may have had some people thinking, what is mariota going someplace we didn't know about? yeah. and, he's going to be great. he is an outstanding young man. he will be terrific and from hawaii by the way. local boy. but this is important and i want to tell you why i think trade deals and our willingne

[applause] i'm sure some of my staff is running around right now in the michael jordan and mia hamm buildingsey want to be elaborates for your new gear. but, it is wonderful to be here. please give it up for two people who fight every single day for oregon workers your representatives in congress, they do a great job. early bloom men your and suzanne bonamici. they're both here -- earl bloom men your. [applause] and there are two people who couldn't make it here today but doing a great job, give them a round of applause. that is senator ron wyden and representative kurt schrader. [applause] great to be at the such an iconic company. a company that helps athletes succeed, from, the individual to the world stage. as you've heard i have come to oregon to talk a little it about trade. which, initially may have had some people thinking, what is mariota going someplace we didn't know about? yeah. and, he's going to be great. he is an outstanding young man. he will be terrific and from hawaii by the way. local boy. but this is important and i want to tell you why i think trade deals and our willingn