mr. michaud. >> thank you. mr.ere you aware of the report in january of 2012 and may 2013 that found that the phoenix healthcare system was using unauthorized scheduling practices and not complying with vhas scheduling policies? >> i was not aware of the report until it was cited in the media. then we asked for a copy of it. >> is it your job to ensure that phoenix comply with the vhas policies? >> i think it's all of our job in central office to make sure we have a system that has policies in place that the field can understand, so they can implement, and we do need to improve our oversight to ensure the field is following policy. that's one of the things that both dr. clancy and the secretary are looking to change as part of the change in the culture, to make sure we have the appropriate oversight in central office and the auditing function to make sure things happen the way they're owes supposed to do. >> can you complain what your job is. >> i conclude. as the chief of staff the best explanation is i'm really a

mr. michaud? >> mr. michaud, may i response?this is the crux of the whole allegation. >> yes, the gentleman will want to respond. >> we were asked to provide the initial, because you didn't want one that had been through two or three iterations. you wanted the very first draft report. that was clear to us. you can deny that all you want -- >> can you show me anywhere that it shows we asked for the first draft. >> i would refer to the attachments to our report where all of this is spelled out in writing. >> no, can you tell me where we asked for the first draft report? let me find the e-mail, and i will respond to your question. >> mr. michaud, you're now recognized -- >> here it is. it showed a lack of aware dnc -- >> now recognized. you're out of order. >> do you want the truth? >> sir, you're out of order. >> mr. griffin, on the records, if i understand you correctly, you didn't provide the first draft of the report, but there might have been other additional crafts out there? >> that's correct. >> so the draft you provided wa

mr. michaud, of maine. i would like to congratulate mr. chaud for his work on this bill and on behalf of his constituents. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentleman from alaska. mr. young: i reserve. mr. lowenthal: i yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of the legislation, mr. michaud of maine. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. michaud: i thank the gentleman for yielding. i urge my colleagues to support this legislation. as you heard this legislation would allow the town of fremont, maine, to continue to use public land that's been continuously maintained for more than six decades. in 1950, congress transferred a parcel of land from acadia national park to the town of fremont so the town could build and maintain a school. unfortunately, what might have been best for the park service and the community in 1950 might not be best for either in 2014. due to demographic changes, fremont has explored possibility of mernling its elementary school with another in the neighboring town. under the t

mr. michaud, for his opening statement. thank you very much, mr.rman for having is the important hearing. i would like to thank all the panelists for coming today as well. today's hearing provides the opportunity to examine the va inspector general's final report on the patient wait times and scheduling practices within the phoenix va health care system. this report did not state a direct causal relationship between long patient wait times and veteran deaths. for some, that is a major concern, and accusations of undue influence by the va on the ig report will be discussed at length today. what the ig did find is that the cases included in this report clearly show there were serious lapses in va's follow-up, coordination, quality, and continuity of health care to veterans. they also concluded that the inappropriate scheduling practices demonstrated in phoenix are a nationwide systemic problem. i do not need any more evidence or analysis. there is no doubt in my mind that veterans were harmed by the scheduling practices and culture at the phoenix fac

mr. michaud, for his opening statement. thank you very much, mr. chairman for having is the important hearing. i would like to thank all the panelists for coming today as well. today's hearing provides the opportunity to examine the va inspector general's final report on the patient wait times and scheduling practices within the phoenix va health care system. this report did not state a direct causal relationship between long patient wait times and veteran deaths. for some, that is a major concern, and accusations of undue influence by the va on the ig report will be discussed at length today. what the ig did find is that the cases included in this report clearly show there were serious lapses in va's follow-up, coordination, quality, and continuity of health care to veterans. they also concluded that the inappropriate scheduling practices demonstrated in phoenix are a nationwide systemic problem. i do not need any more evidence or analysis. there is no doubt in my mind that veterans were harmed by the scheduling practices and culture at the phoeni

mr. michaud. >> i want to thank you, secretary and dr. clancy for being here today. want to say from the outset, mr. secretary, i'm very pleased with what i've seen so far with their leadership style and the fact that not only have you taken the time to visit with employees at the va, which hasn't been done, is my understanding, in the last five years, but your willingness to reach out not only to members of congress and particularly this committee, but also veteran service organizations to get their input and insight into how we can provide better services for our veterans. i really do appreciate that. as i mentioned before we met as confirmed as secretary, yes, the va is going through some turbulent times right now. but it's also a time for opportunity, to really change the cultural structure within the department and its employees but also a time to really think big on a national strategy and where we should be going as far as the department of veterans administration. i want to thank you for your willingness to step up to the plate. some of my requests -- you men

mr. chairman, ranking member michaud and members of the committee thank you for the opportunity to discuss the results of inspector general's extensive work at the phoenix va health care system. our august 26, 2014 report expands upon information previously provided in our may 2014 interim report and includes the results of the reviews of the oig clinical staff of patient medical records. we initiated our review in response to allegations first reported through the oig hotline on october 24, 2013 from dr. foote who alleged gross mismanagement of va resources, criminal misconduct iba senior hospital leadership, systemic patient safety issues and possible wrongful deaths at phoenix. the transcript of our interview with dr. foote has been provided to the committee and i request that it be included in the record. >> without objection. >> we would like to thank all the individuals who brought forward their allegations about issues occurring in phoenix and other va medical facilities to the attention of the ig, the congress and the nation. on august 19, 2014 the chairman of the subcommittee on o