mr. rausch? >> mike, thanks for your call. i'll speak on behalf of iraq and afghanistan veterans, which are our members, but also from a personal perspective, i feel very fortunate and blessed, frankly, as a veteran that i've been welcomed back to this country in a way that many of my predecessors and mentors have not. just yesterday in our office here in new york we had a vietnam veteran who is a remarkable ladder within our community talk about the challenges he had when he came back from vietnam. i think back to where i grew up, in ohio, a small town where members of the local community, bill grady, who was a high school teacher of mine, bill young, larry daniels, other vietnam vets who talked about a very different experience that they had compared to what i had. so i feel like the post-9/11 generation has benefitted, frankly, from the vietnam veterans, especially their work and the trailblazing that they did, frankly, which i believe built and created this sea of goodwill that we benefit from today. there are certain chal

mr. bill rausch for afghanistan veterans of america, mr. raymond kelley of national legislative services of the veterans of foreign wars. >> and while you're taking your seats, i want to apologize that i have another commitment. i didn't realize that this hearing would last as long as it has. and so i may have to depart before you're done with your testimony. if that happens, i apologize and i'll leave the hearing in your hands, mr. chairman. >> you have no alternative. thank you, senator blumenthal. gentleman and ma'am, thank you for joining us. we'll begin -- i can't see the name tag, but i think it's mr. butler. please proceed. >> thank you, acting chairman moran. ranking member blumenthal and members of the committee, the american legion believes in a robust veterans health care system designed to treat those who have worn the uniform. however, in the best of circumstances, there are situations where the system cannot meet the needs of the veteran. and the veteran must seek care in the community. i am privileged to be here today and to

mr. rausch? >> i would just like to add although we have different views and opinions about this specific plan, i would challenge anyone to suggest that the process hasn't been collaborative, and in contrast to say two years ago in working with the va, i don't think this process would have taken place. and based off a lot of the discussion between members of this committee, it seems your experiences have also changed with va, so i would also like to highlight as i did in my testimony, the numerous, almost 35, it was daunting, frankly, so i would emphasize it's been transparent, collaborative and unprecedented from the federal government from our perspective. thank you. >> senator, in full disclosure, i think it would be fair to say that the commission on care, we've met with their professional staff, and it's our understanding that they're hoping to extend their charge until next summer, so that means it would be put off to june, july or august at the earliest. i think that would be unfortunate f

mr. rausch?> i would just like to add although we have different views and opinions about this specific plan, i would challenge anyone to suggest that the process hasn't been collaborative, and in contrast to say two years ago in working with the va, i don't think this process would have taken place. and based off a lot of the discussion between members of this committee, it seems your experiences have also changed with va, so i would also like to highlight as i did in my testimony, the numerous, almost 35, it was daunting, frankly, so i would emphasize it's been transparent, collaborative and unprecedented from the federal government from our perspective. thank you. >> senator, in full disclosure, i think it would be fair to say that the commission on care, we've met with their professional staff, and it's our understanding that they're hoping to extend their charge until next summer, so that means it would be put off to june, july or august at the earliest. i think that would be unfortunate for

mr. rausch, thank you. now mr. kelly. >> on behalf of the independent budget partners thank you for the opportunity to testify today. the partners strongly believe veterans have earned and deserve to receive high quality comprehensive accessible is veteran sent rick care. in most instance, v.a. is the best option but v.a. cannot provide all services to all veterans at all location at all times. that is why v.a. must leverage private sector providers to expand viable options. after months of working closely with v.a. officials and other stakeholders we please misdemeanors ago expects of the plan are closely aligned with veteran health care reform framework. the iv partners support the concept of consolidating existing care in the community programs into a single program that would seamlessly combine cape abilities of the health care system with other public and private health care providers in the community wherever necessary. several community care programs would be allowed to sunset while allowing these programs t