[House Hearing, 118 Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
S. Hrg. 118-139
LEGISLATIVE PRESENTATION OF
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS
=======================================================================
JOINT HEARING
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
BEFORE THE
U.S. SENATE
AND THE
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
__________
FEBRUARY 28, 2023
__________
Formatted for the use of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.govinfo.gov
__________
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
53-728 PDF WASHINGTON : 2023
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
Jon Tester, Montana, Chairman
Patty Murray, Washington Jerry Moran, Kansas, Ranking
Bernard Sanders, Vermont Member
Sherrod Brown, Ohio John Boozman, Arkansas
Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Bill Cassidy, Louisiana
Mazie K. Hirono, Hawaii Mike Rounds, South Dakota
Joe Manchin III, West Virginia Thom Tillis, North Carolina
Kyrsten Sinema, Arizona Dan Sullivan, Alaska
Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee
Angus S. King, Jr., Maine Kevin Cramer, North Dakota
Tommy Tuberville, Alabama
Tony McClain, Staff Director
Jon Towers, Republican Staff Director
----------
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
Mike Bost, Illinois, Chairman
Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, Mark Takano, California, Ranking
American Samoa Member
Jack Bergman, Michigan Julia Brownley, California
Nancy Mace, South Carolina Mike Levin, California
Matthew M. Rosendale, Sr., Montana Chris Pappas, New Hampshire
Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Iowa Frank J. Mrvan, Indiana
Gregory F. Murphy, North Carolina Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick,
C. Scott Franklin, Florida Florida
Derrick Van Orden, Wisconsin Delia C. Ramirez, Illinois
Morgan Luttrell, Texas Christopher R. Deluzio,
Juan Ciscomani, Arizona Pennsylvania
Elijah Crane, Arizona Morgan McGarvey, Kentucky
Keith Self, Texas Greg Landsman, Ohio
Jennifer A. Kiggans, Virginia Nikki Budzinski, Illinois
Jon Clark, Staff Director
Matt Reel, Democratic Staff Director
C O N T E N T S
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February 28, 2023
Page
SENATORS
Moran, Hon. Jerry, Ranking Member, U.S. Senator from Kansas...... 4
Tester, Hon. Jon, Chairman, U.S. Senator from Montana............ 5
Murray, Hon. Patty, U.S. Senator from Washington................. 13
Blackburn, Hon. Marsha, U.S. Senator from Tennessee.............. 15
Hassan, Hon. Maggie, U.S. Senator from New Hampshire............. 16
Tuberville, Hon. Tommy, U.S. Senator from Alabama................ 17
King, Jr., Hon. Angus S., U.S. Senator from Maine................ 19
Boozman, Hon. John, U.S. Senator from Arkansas................... 20
REPRESENTATIVES
Bost, Hon. Mike, Chairman, U.S. Representative from Illinois..... 1
Takano, Hon. Mark, Ranking Member, U.S. Representative from
California..................................................... 2
Rosendale, Hon. Matthew, U.S. Representative from Montana........ 14
Budzinski, Hon. Nikki, U.S. Representative from Illinois......... 16
INTRODUCTION OF JOSEPH PARSETICH
The Honorable Jon Tester, U.S. Senator from the State of Montana. 6
WITNESSES
Joseph Parsetich, National Commander, Disabled American Veterans. 7
accompanied by
J. Marc Burgess, National Adjutant
Barry Jesinoski, Executive Director, National Headquarters
Edward R. Reese Jr., Executive Director, Washington
Headquarters
Jim Marszalek, DAV National Service Director
Joy Ilem, DAV National Legislative Director
John Kleindienst, National Director of Voluntary Service
Ryan Burgos, National Employment Director
Darlene Spence, Auxiliary National Commander
APPENDIX
Prepared Statement
Joseph Parsetich, National Commander, Disabled American Veterans. 29
LEGISLATIVE PRESENTATION OF
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS
----------
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2023
U.S. Senate, and
U.S. House of Representatives,
Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington, DC.
The Committees met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m., in Room
SD-G50, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Jon Tester,
Chairman of the Senate Committee, presiding.
Present:
Senators Tester, Murray, Brown, Blumenthal, Hassan, King,
Moran, Boozman, Blackburn, and Tuberville.
Representatives Bost, Rosendale, Miller-Meeks, Takano,
Pappas, Ramirez, Deluzio, and Budzinski.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MIKE BOST, CHAIRMAN,
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM ILLINOIS
Chairman Bost. Good morning. Just so you know, Chairman
Tester, he will be along in a little bit but we are going to go
ahead and start today.
I want thank all of you for being here, and I want to thank
our friends on the other side of the aisle in the Capitol for
hosting our first joint hearing of the 118th Congress. It is
our honor to be joined by friends, as I said, Chairman Tester
will be along later, Ranking Member Moran, Ranking Member
Takano, and welcoming you to today's joint VSO hearing.
And before I begin I want to welcome Commander Joe
Parsetich--I want to make sure I get it right--and the whole
DAV team who are with us today. I also want to welcome his
wife, Meg, and thank you for your service as well to this
nation, ma'am.
I also want to welcome the DAV members that are here from
Illinois, and if I can I would like for the Illinois members,
if you could please stand. I want to recognize you.
Absolutely no one here from Illinois. How about that.
[Laughter.]
Chairman Bost. There are some from Tennessee. All right.
Just so you know.
So I have been attending these VSO hearings for 9 years now
as a member of the Committee, but this is the first time I am
doing so as Chairman. Let me first off say that it is very
humbling and an honor to do that. I could have never dreamed
that an enlisted Marine, corporal by the way, from Southern
Illinois would be sitting in a seat today that is the Chairman
of the Committee charged with fighting for our nation's men and
women in uniform. You know, it is a deep honor, and it is not a
responsibility that I take lightly. But as you all know, it is
not about me. It is about you and the millions of veterans and
voices you represent across this country, our brothers and
sisters in arms.
You understand the struggles veterans and their families
face. You know where VA is falling short. The DAV's superb
advocates in D.C. have made a tremendous difference, and we
thank you for that. You have my commitment that we will fight
for you, and that the voices of the Representatives just as
hard as you fought for us. And you know better than anyone else
that the veteran community has earned a system that works for
them.
And I am proud of all that we have accomplished together
this last Congress, including the President signing the
bipartisan PACT Act into law. The legislation means a lot to
veterans and their families, and it was long overdue, and I was
extremely proud to see it land on the President's desk. Now we
will be focusing on how VA implements that law. We will need
all of you to let us know what is happening out there in the
field when it comes to wait times for toxic-exposed veterans
care and claims decisions. Boots-on-the-ground testimonials are
vitally important for our oversight of the PACT Act.
We have also made great progress to expand mental health
opportunities through the Fox Grant Program and the STRONG Act
to support the veterans and their families, and we continue to
see a decline in veteran homeless nationwide.
However, our work is not finished. Veterans are still
fighting a VA bureaucracy to access health care they want and
when and where they need it; being discriminated against and
having their Second Amendment rights taken away from them; if
they need help managing their health benefits, enduring long
wait times for either access to earned benefits or getting a
simple question answered; dealing with underperforming VA
employees who do not have the veteran's best interest in mind;
and reeling with the impacts of a flawed implementation of a
new electronic health record system.
These might seem like small things, but when it comes down
to it they add up, and they impact veterans every single day.
I am focused on bringing a VA into the 21st century, even
if I'm going to do it kicking and screaming, to ensure
generations of veterans have access to good care and services
that they have earned. And I will ensure the VA getting the
budget it needs to complete its mission. And I look forward to
accomplishing that goal alongside of you, and I thank you all
again for being here today.
And with that I want to turn it over to Mr. Takano, the
Ranking Member, for his comments.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MARK TAKANO,
RANKING MEMBER, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM CALIFORNIA
Mr. Takano. Thank you, Chairman Bost, and it is wonderful
to see a Marine veteran corporal in the Chairman's seat, so
congratulations.
It is great to be back in open format, in person. First of
all, the most important question of the day is are there any
Californians in the room?
[Applause.]
Mr. Takano. Welcome, California.
It is an honor to join all the members of the House and
Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs to hear directly from
the National Commander and representatives of Disabled American
Veterans. The opportunity to hear from our VSO partners is
incredibly important to me. Partners like DAV represent
veterans and their families at all stages of life and service.
And hearing from these partners allows the Committees the
opportunity to hear directly about what is most important to
your members and how we can be of service to our nation's
veterans. For example, for years we have heard from members of
many VSOs about taking comprehensive action on the effects of
toxic exposure. I was encouraged to see the overwhelming
support that DAV and other VSOs provided last Congress, to pass
my bill, the Honoring Our PACT Act, and get it signed into law.
Thank you for the tremendous support you provided throughout
the process. Getting the PACT Act to President Biden's desk is
a testament to the strong advocacy and support from passionate
groups like yours.
I also would like to express my thanks to Chairman Tester,
Ranking Member Moran, and Chairman Bost for their efforts to
work with me on passing this law. Our bipartisan bill expands
VA health care to over 3.5 million veterans living with the
effects of toxic exposure. Our bill removes the burden of
proof, which, for too long, has prevented toxic-exposed
veterans from accessing the care and benefits they need to
treat their rare conditions. In total, the PACT Act establishes
a presumption of service connection to 23 respiratory illnesses
and cancers. Thank you, thank you for your help.
Blue Water Navy veterans waited more than 40 years for
benefits related to Agent Orange exposure because of Congress'
piecemeal solutions. We were not going to let this happen
again, and thanks to our efforts last Congress we kept our
promise. Now the hard work begins, and I look forward to
continuing to work with my colleagues to make sure this
transformational law is implemented effectively.
In the last Congress together we secured several important
wins for veterans, including, as already mentioned, the passage
of the landmark PACT Act. In addition, passing the Veteran Auto
and Education Improvement Act, the Military Sexual Trauma
Claims Coordination Act, the REMOTE Act, the THRIVE Act, and
the Sergeant Ketcham Rural Veterans Mental Health Act, we were
also able to wrap up the 117th Congress with packages of
veterans legislation, including the STRONG Veteran Act and the
Cleland-Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care
Improvement Act.
I am very proud of these accomplishments, but we need to
build on these achievements and continue our fight for better
health care and benefits in this Congress and beyond.
In reading your testimony it is clear your priorities align
with my own. My priorities for this Congress include opposing
efforts to cut over $31 billion in VA funding, including
funding for the 3.5 million newly eligible toxic-exposed
veterans; preserving women veterans' freedoms; delivering a VA
for all veterans; modernizing VA care for the next generation
of veterans; ensuring that no veteran is forgotten; and working
to end veteran homelessness and food insecurity; ensuring
benefits parity for America's veterans; rejecting efforts to
privatize VA; conducting critical oversight and implementation
of suicide prevention and toxic exposure bills; and empowering
VA to fulfill its fourth mission capabilities.
So we have big goals, and I know with your support and
insight here today, along with the support of the Biden-Harris
administration, we will be able to achieve these goals and
fulfill the sacred promises we made to our nation's veterans.
So I look forward to hearing your testimony today, and
thank you for your continued advocacy and support for the
veteran community. Thank you, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
Chairman Bost. Thank you, Ranking Member Takano, and at
this time we would like to recognize the Ranking Member of the
Senate VA Committee, Senator Moran.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JERRY MORAN,
RANKING MEMBER, U.S. SENATOR FROM KANSAS
Senator Moran. Chairman Bost, Ranking Member Takano,
welcome to the United States Senate. On behalf of Senator
Tester and my Senate colleagues we are glad to have you here,
and congratulations to you, Chairman Bost, on your ascension. I
can tell you, Congressman Takano, all leadership here is
fleeting. It can change every 2 years. I have experienced it
myself. So hang in there, and there is hope.
[Laughter.]
Senator Moran. Welcome to our DAV witnesses this morning,
and I thank all of you across this room and across the country
who are watching at home for joining us here today. I
especially thank my DAV members from Kansas who met with me
earlier this week in my office and had significantly valuable
and enjoyable conversations. I thank them for their leadership
at home and here in Washington, DC.
I want to thank the DAV leaders for being here in person.
Thank you for your passion and expertise in supporting
veterans. The knowledge you have of veterans and their families
are hugely important to us, and the experiences each of you
have encountered in your lives allow us to fashion legislation
and to lobby the Department of Veterans Affairs to do things in
a way that benefit all veterans.
My view is that we have accomplished a lot working
together, we have accomplished a lot in recent years, and I
expect bipartisan efforts to continue in this Congress, and I
know the DAV will continue to advocate for those legislative
improvements.
A couple of things I want to highlight. Next month marks
two significant anniversaries. March 20th will be 20 years
since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Millions of U.S.
servicemembers and their families have, and continue to serve
and sacrifice to defeat our enemies. We remember all those who
gave their lives in that conflict, and we commit to taking care
of their surviving families.
March 29th marks 50 years since the end of U.S. forces
combat operations in Vietnam. To all our veterans we say what
should have been said to every one of them 50 years ago--
Welcome Home. We recognize and honor your service to our
country and we commit to seeing that you receive the support
and gratitude that many did not receive those 50 years ago.
Commander Parsetich, DAV's advocacy and its partnership
will be vital as we go forward, as we work to make certain that
veterans and their survivors can access the care and benefits
they deserve in a timely, effective manner that delivers
positive, measurable outcomes.
The legislative accomplishments that you have helped to
achieve are important. Some receive little attention and some
receive a lot of attention, but each one of those successes are
worthy on behalf of our veterans. Now we must all work together
to see that the VA MISSION Act, the Hannon Mental Health Care
Improvement Act, and the PACT Act are implemented and adhered
to in a way that Congress and the legislative intent that you
helped create is fulfilled.
I will keep working to make certain the VA has everything
it needs to deliver the care and benefits under these new laws,
and we will count on the DAV to help us identify where
additional resources or legislative changes are required.
Thank you again, Commander, for your testimony, and I look
forward to hearing it, and I yield back.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JON TESTER, CHAIRMAN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MONTANA
Chairman Tester. Senator Moran, thank you. It is a pleasure
to be here and I am sorry I am a bit late, but it is great to
be here with Congressmen Bost and Takano and my good friend,
Jerry Moran.
I have got a big advantage today in that Joe Parsetich is
from the State of Montana, so I get to watch you guys butcher
his name, up and down the roster.
[Laughter.]
Chairman Tester. Not to point anything out, Jerry, but that
even got a laugh out of Joe, just so you know.
But good morning to DAV Commander Parsetich. You have come
a long ways, because I made the same flight yesterday, and you
have been a good friend and I welcome you to Washington, DC and
the Joint Committee. And I also want to welcome Ken Weinheimer,
Chase Natalie, Kevin Grantier, and anybody else from Montana
who made the trek. I look forward to meeting with all of you
later in the day.
You know, Congress relies on the DAV and your team of
advocates in Washington to keep us apprised of the needs of
veterans and how we can meet those needs. Nothing more
important, by the way, than our disabled veterans. Last year
your support was critical in helping Congress address the
longstanding priority of caring for toxic-exposed veterans and
doing right by those who are served this country.
The Sergeant First Class Keith Robinson Honoring Our PACT
Act is the largest expanse of VA care and benefits in decades,
and we could not have gotten it done without the DAV. Now we
turn our attention to implement of this law and ensuring that
the Department has the capacity to deliver the timely care and
benefits that veterans deserve. This means addressing VA
staffing shortages, offering more competitive salaries and
benefits. It means fostering a culture that tracks and retains
the best and the brightest, and it also means building and
maintaining modern facilities.
By the way, none of this is going to be done if we roll the
budget back 5 years. Okay?
This Congress and our Committee are leading bipartisan,
common sense efforts to build on historic investments made by
this PACT Act. The VA CAREERS Act, BUILD for Veterans Act, both
crafted and supported by the DAV. We must also address an
injustice that has been impacting medically retired veterans
for far too long that, as I told the American Legion this
morning, makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. We need to get
the Richard Star Act passed. It is a top priority of mine.
[Applause.]
Chairman Tester. This bill--you guys are very familiar
with--ensures that our combat-injured veterans will receive
full DoD and VA benefits that they have earned. We could not
have gotten the PACT Act done without you and other VSO
partners, and the same goes for the Major Richard Star Act. We
will need your support. We will need your strong support and
advocacy to get this bad boy across the finish line. Together I
am confident that we will get this right.
Commander Parsetich and your team, we have a lot to get to.
Your voice is invaluable in prioritizing our efforts on these
two committees, and we thank you. We thank you for your work on
behalf of disabled veterans, but we thank your membership for
the sacrifices that they have given to this country, and they
have been great.
And with that I will turn the podium over to you, Joe. Good
luck.
Oh God, you are right. I screwed up. I have got voluminous
things to say about Joe Parsetich.
It is now my pleasure to--I thought everybody knew him,
right Jerry?----
[Laughter.]
INTRODUCTION BY HON. JON TESTER
Chairman Tester [continuing]. Introduce DAV's National
Commander, a Montana boy who hails from Great Falls, a stone's
throw away from my hometown of Big Sandy. He is a Vietnam
veteran. Joe served honorably in the U.S. Air Force and is
himself a service-connected disabled veteran.
Widely known as a champion for veterans of Montana and
across the nation, Joe was elected this summer to serve as
DAV's National Commander, and I might say that was a damn good
choice.
He understands the challenges rural veterans face and
conveys the expertise of the VA from his role on the Veterans
Rural Health Advisory Committee. He has also served on many
other executive committees and governance bodies, working on
veteran suicide prevention, addressing veteran homelessness,
and much, much, much more.
Joe and his wife Meg have a family that includes 7
children, 3 foster children, 32 grandchildren, 8 great-great
grandchildren--I do not know how the hell you do it, man, I
tell you.
[Laughter.]
Chairman Tester. Even with his service commitments and a
family with more members than this Committee, he finds time to
serve veterans in his community as a volunteer in DAV's
transportation network and on the Honor Guard.
Joe, I cannot thank you enough for being here today. More
importantly, I want to thank you for your service and your
tireless commitment to the military and veterans community.
Joe Parsetich, Commander Parsetich, you may now introduce
your leadership team and begin with your opening statement. And
I hope I did not miss anything.
STATEMENT OF JOSEPH PARSETICH, ACCOMPANIED BY J. MARC BURGESS,
BARRY JESINOSKI, EDWARD R. REESE JR., JIM MARSZALEK, JOY ILEM,
JOHN KLEINDIENST, RYAN BURGOS; AND DARLENE SPENCE
Mr. Parsetich. Thank you so much for that kind
introduction.
Chairman Tester, Chairman Bost, Ranking Members Moran and
Takano, and members of the Committees on Veterans Affairs,
thank you for providing me the opportunity to deliver the 2023
Legislative Program of DAV, Disabled American Veterans, an
organization of more than million members, all of whom were
injured or became ill as a result of wartime service.
My written statement thoroughly details DAV's key
legislative priorities for the 118th Congress and reports on
our many programs and accomplishments, so today I am just going
to highlight some of more critical policy goals. But first I
would like to start off by introducing my DAV colleagues
joining me here today: National Adjutant Marc Burgess; National
Headquarters Executive Director Barry Jesinoski; Washington
Headquarters Executive Director Randy Reese; National Service
Director Jim Marszalek; National Legislative Director Joy Ilem;
National Voluntary Services Director John Kleindienst; National
Employment Director Ryan Burgos; and National Auxiliary
Commander Darlene Spence.
In addition to those here with me today many more DAV
members are together watching this hearing from our annual
Midwinter Conference across the river in Arlington, and there
are thousands of dedicated DAV members across the country also
watching and supporting us from their hometowns.
I also want to recognize the many DAV leaders who have been
vital to our organization's mission over the course of many
years, including my Senior and Junior Vice Commanders and
leaders in our DAV Auxiliary. Let me also extend my gratitude
to our National Executive Committee and the members of the
National Legislative Interim Committee as well as my Chief of
Staff, Danny Oliver, for their continued support.
And finally I want to thank my wife, Meg, who remains my
most steadfast supporter and partner.
Messrs. Chairmen, I am a service-connected disabled Air
Force veteran of the Vietnam War. At just 17 years old I
requested assignment in Vietnam, where I served as a military
policeman with the 377th Security Police Squadron in the guard
towers at Tan Son Nhut Air Base from 1968 to 1969. And although
I did not know it them, the truth is my time in Vietnam lived
with me long after I returned home. I do not have any John
Wayne stories from my time in theater, and fortunately I did
not experience any physical injuries. But for many years I
could not shake the sounds of the enemy rockets whistling past
my post, and I brought back with me the memories of those who
lost their lives over there.
I was honorably discharged in 1972, and carried the burden
of surviving Vietnam for decades until 2009, when I woke up in
an intensive care unit. That is because after 59 years on this
beautiful earth I no longer saw my life as being valuable. I
saw myself as an unworthy burden to those around me, and I
attempted to end it all.
Messrs. Chairmen, I sit before you today with the humble
admission that I have never been so happy or so fortunate to
have failed at something.
So from personal experience I know just how important
veterans' access to mental health services are. DAV appreciates
Congress' continued attention to this issue and the significant
resources provided to support the VA's inclusive array of
specialized mental health programs and services. As these needs
continue to grow, it is crucial that Congress provide the VA
with all the mental health resources, staffing, and support
necessary to prevent veteran suicide. We appreciate Congress'
recent enactment of the comprehensive mental health legislation
aimed at reducing barriers to care for veterans in crisis by
collaborating with community partners. We all have to play a
role.
DAV has a mentorship program that supports alternative
programming to help veterans overcome difficult transitional
challenges after deployment is over. Through our Charitable
Service Trust, the DAV provided $2.2 million in grants to
support Save A Warrior, a nonprofit organization dedicated to
providing a unique healing outlet and intensive therapy options
for veterans combatting mental health issues.
DAV has also provided nearly $1 million to Boulder Crest
retreats, where DAV leaders and spouses serve as mentors for
the latest generation of seriously injured veterans and their
caregivers.
DAV has also been a longtime partner in cohosting our
annual National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports and Golf
Clinics. We are very proud of these adaptive sports programs
that directly impact and transform the lives and mental well-
being of our most profoundly injured veterans.
We can and we must do more to end the national tragedy of
veteran suicide.
[Applause.]
Mr. Parsetich. There is no more fundamental obligation of
our nation than to care for the men and women who were forever
changed in wartime service. Over the past decade, the VA has
experienced unprecedented stress trying to fulfill that sacred
charge, and they have undertaken historic reforms to ensure
veterans have timely access to earned benefits and high-quality
health care.
The DAV is proud to provide ill and injured veterans free
representation with filing claims for their service-related
conditions, and we have the largest and most well-trained
benefits advocacy initiative in the country, with over 1
million veterans choosing DAV to represent them.
Last year our nationwide corps of 3,700 benefits experts
took more than 2.4 million actions to advocate for veterans and
their families and file claims for their earned benefits, more
than any other organization.
[Applause.]
Mr. Parsetich. Messrs. Chairmen, DAV is a fierce advocate
of the VA health care system and its specialized programs. Over
the past decade, there has been one consistent trend: an
increasing number of veterans continuing to choose the VA for
their medical needs. Unfortunately, the rising demand for care,
coupled with significant staffing shortages and an aging
infrastructure, continues to outstrip the VA's capacity to
provide timely and convenient access for all veterans enrolled
in the VA health care system.
This is especially critical for disabled veterans who rely
on the VA for most or all of their care. Congress must ensure
that VA has the resources necessary to maintain sufficient
staffing to deliver timely care and serve as the primary care
provider and coordinator for all veterans using the VA system,
and that is why we also ask that funding increases, not funding
cuts, be implemented.
[Applause.]
Mr. Parsetich. You know, the VA and Congress must work
together to modernize, realign, and rebuild our aging medical
infrastructure to meet the veterans' health care needs both now
and in the future. In DAV, we call upon you and your colleagues
to work in concert with the VA to develop a workable
infrastructure plan and authorize sufficient funding to address
this long-standing issue. The VA must have modern facilities to
efficiently deliver quality care to the veterans who have
earned it.
[Applause.]
Mr. Parsetich. To help veterans access VA health care, DAV
also operates a national Transportation Network, offering
veterans free transportation to and from VA health care
facilities. You know, last year, DAV volunteers drove more than
500,000 hours, transporting more than 200,000 veterans to their
medical appointments, saving taxpayers more than $16 million.
[Applause.]
Mr. Parsetich. Messrs. Chairmen, providing safe, high-
quality health care requires a modern electronic health record
system. Unfortunately, VA's initial EHR rollout resulted in
some serious concerns about patient safety and training. We
know this is a complex issue, but whatever decisions Congress
makes on the path forward it is essential that veteran safety
and health outcomes remain the first priority.
[Applause.]
Mr. Parsetich. Another DAV critical goal for the 118th
Congress is to ensure equity in services, benefits, and health
outcomes for all underserved veteran populations, including our
women veterans. And despite shifts in policy and increased
staff training, evidence still suggests that many underserved
populations are still at higher risk for health disparities and
suicide. If the VA is to live up to its mission to care for
those who have the borne the battle, it must rebuild trust,
tailor programs to meet the unique needs, and ensure a safe and
welcoming environment for all veterans that it serves.
[Applause.]
Mr. Parsetich. Messrs. Chairmen, it is critical to support
the veterans during their transition from military service to
civilian life, and DAV is committed to providing veterans and
their spouses with the tools, resources, and opportunities to
pursue meaningful careers or even start their own business.
Last year we hosted over 80 job fairs across the country, and
our efforts resulted in thousands of job offers to veterans and
their spouses, and the DAV also now helps veterans and their
spouses pursue their dreams as entrepreneurs, so they can
become job creators and benefits providers for veterans.
[Applause.]
Mr. Parsetich. Finally, Messrs. Chairmen, we thank you and
all of your members here today for the historic passage of the
Honoring Our PACT Act. With the enactment of this legislation,
millions of veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic
substances are now eligible for VA's life-changing benefits and
health care. Now it is up to Congress to ensure that this law
is fully and faithfully implemented. We need you to monitor the
number and type of PACT Act claims filed. We must make certain
that the VA has the resources and staffing to provide timely
decisions and benefits to all toxic-exposed veterans and their
survivors.
[Applause.]
Mr. Parsetich. For over 100 years, DAV has been providing
critical services and support to our nation's ill and injured
veterans. Through our program's 1 million-plus members,
volunteers, and supporters, we provide direct help to those who
need it. That is our mission.
Film producer, Maria Cuomo Cole, said that we must give
veterans ``the tools to empower themselves and reclaim the
self-worth and dignity which comes from occupying a place in
the American dream. It is a dream they fought so hard to defend
for the rest of us.''
If ever there was a need for us to focus our efforts to be
united, to be the best, and to rise to meet the occasion, this
is it. Our veterans need us and are worth the fight, and
together we have the opportunity and the obligation to do
better.
Messrs. Chairmen, this completes my testimony. May God
bless the DAV, the men and women who have served our great
nation, their families, their survivors and caregivers, and, of
course, this wonderful country, the United States of America.
[Applause.]
[The prepared statement of Mr. Parsetich appears on page 29
of the Appendix.]
Chairman Tester. Commander Parsetich, thank you very much.
A few housekeeping things to begin with. First of all, the
questions will be 3-minute rounds, so pick your best question.
And then, Commander Parsetich, questions will be directed to
you but you can defer to anybody in your leadership team, and I
will go first.
Commander Parsetich, about 2 years ago Senator Boozman and
I sponsored a bill called the Deborah Sampson Act, and we got
it across the finish line, but we only got it across the finish
line because the DAV, who has long been a champion for women
veterans, was a major force in getting that job done.
Two years ago, post-enactment now of Deborah Sampson, how
well do you think the VA is doing implementing the law, and
what gaps still remain?
Mr. Parsetich. Thank you for that question, Senator,
because the VA has been working on implementing the Deborah
Sampson Act. We have a good groundwork laid. There is still a
lot of work to do, a lot of gaps that we have.
I am going to direct that question to Director Ilem to
expound on that a little bit more, if I may.
Chairman Tester. Okay. Joy?
Ms. Ilem. Thank you, Commander. We want to thank you
specifically on the Deborah Sampson Act but everyone working
together to really make sure that our nation's women veterans
were a priority. And while the Deborah Sampson Act has so many
great provisions in it, it does take time for implementation.
I think that VA still struggles with hiring enough women
veteran providers that have expertise in women's health. And if
I had to say one other point it would be to make sure that
their anti-harassment campaign is, you know, that they are
fully staffed and they can really work on that issue. I do not
think that is quite where we want it to be yet, although it has
got a good start. It is going to take a lot of work to complete
that.
But we do appreciate all the work on women veterans that
has been done. Oversight will be essential, and holding
hearings and roundtables, I think, to make sure VA completes
all of the provisions within that bill, that important bill.
Thank you.
Chairman Tester. Thank you very, very much.
The PACT Act has been talked about a bit here this morning.
DAV and its service officers are eyes and ears on the ground,
and we need to ensure that the VA implements the PACT Act
properly.
For you, Commander Parsetich, or your team, has the VA
included you, the DAV, in PACT Act implementation?
Mr. Parsetich. You know, we have been in very close
communication with the Secretary. He shared with us, as far as
staffing needs, from a funding perspective as well as
facilities. DAV is well plugged into VA. Their passion to
implement this much needed bill is tremendous.
But I am going to ask Director Marszalek if he can expound
a little bit further on that, if I may.
Mr. Marszalek. Thank you, Commander. I appreciate it.
You know, we have been working very closely with Josh
Jacobs and his team. We think it is more collaboration now than
ever. They have really pulled us in, working on overdevelopment
task force. But it is critical that we ensure they have the
resources necessary to be able to process these claims, not
only timely but accurately. We want decisions right the first
time, so we are paying very, very close attention. We urge
Congress to make sure that we are taking a look at the number
of claims that are filed, the decisions that are made, the
denials, and why they are being denied. So we have got to
continue to work together.
Chairman Tester. Thank you all for being here. And by the
way, it is great to have a crowd meeting in person again. It
beats the hell out of teleconferencing.
Senator Moran.
Senator Moran. Mr. Chairman, thank you. I will call your
fellow resident of Montana by the name I can pronounce,
Commander. Good day.
[Laughter.]
Senator Moran. Senator Tester may try to demonstrate that
he is smarter than I am, but I think I can find a way to prove
that we at least have equal intelligence.
I am pleased that you are here and I appreciate the
testimony, and I listened closely. I stepped out to speak to a
couple of groups of University of Kansas and Kansas State
University students who are in the Capitol today, and I told
them of your presentation and why we were here. And I was
pleased to hear them say what respect they had for veterans,
and wanted to make sure that they gave me the instructions,
these 19-, 20-year-old kids, to make sure that we take care of
those who served our nation, and we want to do that.
Let me ask, I guess in my 3 minutes, my priority question.
Congress has never failed to provide the resources that the VA
needs to care for veterans. Sometimes it takes us a little
while to get it done. We are not going to miss the opportunity
to make sure the resources are there. I am an appropriator as
well as a member of this Committee.
You can see that in significant budget increases that the
VA continues to receive year after year, even when we
supposedly have strict austerity measures in place, than the
rest of government. But the VA is not immune from waste, fraud,
and abuse. I heard you testify particularly about
infrastructure and buildings. What would be your suggestion for
ways that we can find the necessary resources to put into those
new structures? It probably takes reducing or eliminating
structures that are no longer as important, but those are
difficult priorities to make, and we need your help in trying
to reach a conclusion about how we can spend less here on
something that is deteriorating to make sure we have something
new and available for veterans across our nation.
So a bit of an infrastructure question but also anything
that you see in which the VA could do a better job in being
more efficient.
Mr. Parsetich. Thank you for that question, Senator, or
Congressman, because it is critically important, and also thank
you for your constituents' kind comments.
But I am glad you brought that up because our men and women
have already paid the price once to this country. We should not
have to pay the price a second time as far as having the
facilities and services that we have earned.
That being said, however, having updated facilities are
very important, but not to the extent where we close the other
ones that exist prior to having the new ones in place so that
our veterans out in remote areas can still access the health
care facilities that they need to address their injuries or
illnesses that they are receiving services from.
Senator Moran. I thank you for your answer, and I share
with your state, Kansas shares that rural aspect for access to
care. Part of that is the MISSION Act, but part of that is
making sure the facilities, the physical facilities we have in
the VA are updated, and we ought not discriminate against a
single veteran by where he or she lives. Thank you.
Chairman Tester. Thank you, Senator Moran. Senator Murray.
HON. PATTY MURRAY,
U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON
Senator Murray. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Commander, welcome. It is great to have you here, and I can say
Parsetich because I am from the great State of Washington. My
mother was born in Butte, so Senator Tester has nothing on me
there, so great.
Good to have you here and thank you for your comments.
Thank you to all of your members who are here supporting you
and all of your team and for all the work that you do.
I appreciate your answer to Senator Tester on the Deborah
Sampson Act and know we have more work to do there, as well as
making sure that we have the resources for the VA to implement
the PACT Act.
But in my few minutes I did want to talk about the millions
of children who are living with a disabled veteran and how we
make sure we are taking care of them as well. Senator Boozman,
who just left, and I are introducing the Helping Heroes Act,
that will help support the families of disabled veterans,
including those children who are taking on caregiving roles,
because I really believe that we have a serious obligation to
support our veterans when they come home, and that includes
supporting the children and grandchildren of those veterans who
are helping care for their families.
So I wanted to ask you today about what else we can do and
what the VA should be doing to support those families who are
supporting veterans.
Mr. Parsetich. Thank you for that question because I think
that the very start of the solution for that is just what you
brought out, your compassion and obvious recognition of the
criticalness of making sure that our veterans' families and
caregivers do have adequate compensation so that they can stay
home and take care of their loved ones who came back with
injured conditions.
Director Ilem, do you have anything you would like to add
to that?
Ms. Ilem. I would just add, you know, we are happy to
support your bill, and it is important to remember that the
entire family is impacted, and obviously the children of
service-disabled veterans, our members are fully aware of that
and we are happy to support that legislation.
Senator Murray. Thank you very much, and I will yield back
my time because there are many members here, but thank you all
again for all the work you do.
Senator Moran [presiding]. Senator Murray, thank you.
Representative Rosendale.
HON. MATTHEW ROSENDALE,
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM MONTANA
Mr. Rosendale. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Thank you,
Commander Parsetich, Joe, and the rest of the Disabled American
Veterans for coming to Washington, DC to testify before us. I
enjoyed meeting with your whole delegation yesterday--Ken
Weinheimer, Kevin Grantier, and Chase Natalie--and I always
value your insight on veteran issues.
Commander Parsetich is from my district, and I have my
first granddaughter there in Great Falls, so I am hoping maybe
she will grow up with one of your 25 that you have already got
going there.
I really appreciate your willingness to speak so openly
about your own personal battle with PTSD. Your bravery serves
as an inspiration for other veterans who are facing similar
challenges, and makes them more likely to come forward and get
the treatment that they deserve. That is really, really
admirable and I appreciate it.
I agree with your written testimony that the Oracle Cerner
electronic health record system's initial rollout in Spokane,
Washington, resulted in serious concerns pertaining to patient
safety, and led to the burnout among staff. It was a really big
problem.
As Chairman of the Technology Modernization Subcommittee I
introduced the Department of Veteran Affairs Electronic Health
Record Modernization Termination Act, which ends the Oracle
Cerner EHR system. We must hold the VA to a high standard of
care promised to our veterans, and be good stewards of taxpayer
dollars. I welcome the opportunity to work with you to ensure
that we have an EHR system that works for our veterans. We
absolutely cannot be putting the safety of our veterans at risk
by dumping money into a system that has failed and shown that
it is not functioning properly.
Can you please touch on some of the problems your members
have experienced with the Oracle Cerner EHR system.
Mr. Parsetich. Thank you so much for that question,
Congressman, because, you know how much I respect you and all
of the 535 men and women in the body. But I would encourage you
not to throw out the baby with the bathwater because, yes, it
had problems when it first came out. But rather than doing away
with it we just need to dig in and fix those problems because
it is the start of a tremendous process that is going to enable
the veterans to get better-quality care by having the
collaboration between the various physicians, something that
has been lacking right now, because if they do not get the hard
copy medical records many times the veteran is finding that
they are starting over or a contraindication or problem that
they may have been encountering the first time, the new person
is not going to know.
So the electronic record system is so critical, and you are
right, we need repairs on it. But again, repairs do not come by
doing away with it completely. So would just ask that we would
continue to get the support that is going to benefit the
veterans in a safe and effective manner and enhance physicians'
capability to give us the best quality care possible.
Mr. Rosendale. Thank you so much. It seems my time has
expired. I yield back.
Senator Moran. Thank you, Congressman. Senator Blackburn.
HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE
Senator Blackburn. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Commander,
thank you so much. We appreciate that each of you are here. And
in Tennessee we really appreciate the work that DAV and the
VSOs do for our veterans.
Commander, I want to go back to something you said in your
testimony about access to care in a timely manner. I agree with
you that that access to care in a timely manner should be a top
priority of this Committee, and that is why I have been such a
proponent of expanding the Veterans Community Care Program, so
veterans can get that. When you look at wait times in
Tennessee, sometimes it is 100 days to get a primary care
appointment, and that is not acceptable. And this program's
success is going to be vitally important to the proper
implementation of the PACT Act.
So I would like to know if DAV has done any outreach to
educate veterans on the Community Care Program and informing
them when they are eligible for this care, allowing veterans to
make informed decisions about how they seek their care, whether
they want it through the VA system or in their local
communities. I know many times it is hard to get somebody to
take off work and get you 180 miles to the VA, and I find it
inappropriate that many times the VA is the middleman between
the veteran and that access to care. So if you would speak to
that.
Mr. Parsetich. You bet, and thank you for that question
because, you know, one of the things--and I will answer your
question first as far as where you asked if the DAV is doing
anything proactively to get the word out, how to circumvent and
interact with the community care process. Our NSOs nationwide,
national service officers, are putting out what is called
information seminars, where the entire community, not just our
DAV members, are invited to address these various things,
questions, procedural type things. Because so many times
various issues come up where they say, ``Well, should we do
this? Should we do that?'' and they are listening to their
neighbors and not knowledgeable people.
So yes, DAV is very proactive when it comes to getting the
word out, and also through our commercials that we try to have,
and our website is very informative. But for those who are not
part of our members, veterans nationwide are able to access
that information.
But also when it comes to a little bit further knowledge I
am going to see if Director Ilem can expound a little bit.
Ms. Ilem. I would just add that Community Care Network is
an important part of VA health care, and while we want to make
sure that VA can be a primary provider and coordinator of that
care, we know that VA cannot be in every location, and there
are often times when veterans have to seek care in the
community. We want to see improvements in that care, transition
that process, because we think that is where a lot of the
delays are occurring.
So we are on board. We want to help make sure that smooth
transition, that veterans get care when they need it, where
they need it.
Senator Blackburn. Thank you.
Senator Moran. Thank you. Representative Budzinski.
HON. NIKKI BUDZINSKI,
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM ILLINOIS
Ms. Budzinski. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and it is great to
be with you, Commander, and thank you to all the Disabled
American Veterans for being here today.
You know, as well documented, suicide rates for our
veterans are at a historic high. In fact, veterans are 1.5
times more likely to die by suicide than non-veterans. We know
there are many reasons for this, including trauma experienced
while in service, stress, burnout, isolation, and difficulties
transitioning back to civilian life. So I want to thank you,
Commander, for sharing, in your testimony, your personal
experience and your story, which for me, representing the 13th
District in Illinois, is not unique for many of the veterans
that I have the privilege of representing.
So my question for you, Commander, is in your opinion and
from your professional and personal experiences, what are some
of the actions that Congress needs to take to improve access to
behavioral health services for our veterans? Thank you.
Mr. Parsetich. You are welcome, and thank you for that
question. One of the challenges that not just military
environment with veterans face as well as civilian sectors is
that many times the invisible traumatic scars of injuries,
whether it be, like I said, as a child, as a person who has
been violated, whether it be women or men, but especially our
military. When they come back many of them that are faced with
the invisible scars are not getting the support that many who
have the visible wounds are getting as far as in the way of
encouragement, validation that is lacking. And after a while,
those who are struggling with those invisible scars start
believing, and sometimes we are even given judgmentalism which
makes you question whether or not, you know, why you should
even be in that state.
So I think with the VA's thrust to make more services
available to the veterans and their families--because they have
many support groups for veterans who are having suicidal
tendencies or have dealt with those in the past--the VA has
come a long way. And we just want to make sure that they have
adequate funding and staffing to continue with the progress
that they have been making so far and need to continue to make.
Ms. Budzinski. Thank you, and I will yield back my time,
Mr. Chairman.
Senator Moran. Thank you very much. Senator Hassan.
HON. MAGGIE HASSAN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE
Senator Hassan. Well thank you, Ranking Member Moran, and
to Ranking Members and Chairs in both chambers for this
hearing. Thank you, Commander Parsetich, for testifying before
us today, and to add to the Congresswoman's comments, for being
so candid. It is really, really important.
In New Hampshire, many veterans have to travel significant
distances for their VA health care, as we have been talking
about, and in many places there is no public transportation
available. For disabled veterans or those simply without a car,
this is a huge barrier to care and can lead to veterans missing
appointments, among other things. As a result, many Granite
State veterans turn to DAV's dedicated network of volunteer
drivers who drive them to their VA health care free of charge,
and Commander, I understand that you volunteer to do this
driving as well, so thank you very much.
The service that DAV drivers are providing is critical to
veterans accessing care and it provides a lifeline for many
disabled veterans. So how can the VA better support DAV's
volunteer drivers, and what could the VA do to ensure that no
veteran has to worry about finding a ride to an appointment?
Mr. Parsetich. Thank you for that question because I am
very passionate about that. This country is not lacking in
volunteers wanting to serve the veterans by volunteering
driving, helping out in different facilities, and problems with
getting volunteers processed and cleared to be able to
volunteer is not coming from the Federal level. National VA is
very, very supportive.
But we find nationwide that the lack of communication
between the director encouraging the voluntary services, to get
these applications processed in an expedient fashion, dragging
out for 3 to 6 months or longer, in many cases, and it is just
unacceptable.
So I think it is going to come from, to use a secular term,
we need to have some coaching going on, first from the VA to
the directors, saying, ``Hey, you need to get busy with
coaching your voluntary services people,'' and then voluntary
services approaching it with the severity and the criticalness
of getting those drivers cleared, because like you pointed out,
it is critical to getting these veterans to their medical
appointments, and many times that can make the difference of
life or death, in many cases.
Thank you for that question.
Senator Hassan. Well thank you so much, and thank you for
your service. And I will yield back and submit a couple more
questions, particularly about the caregiver program, for the
record. Thank you.
Senator Moran. Senator, thank you. Senator Tuberville.
HON. TOMMY TUBERVILLE,
U.S. SENATOR FROM ALABAMA
Senator Tuberville. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to
start by saying thank you to Disabled American Veterans for
everything you do, day in and day out, for veterans across the
world.
To address PTSD and TBI, veterans are trying innovative
alternate treatments and therapies through clinical trials
every day. Some even leave the U.S. to access these therapies.
If you hear of effective treatments among your members do you
raise it to the VA? Anybody. Is that information passed on?
Mr. Parsetich. You know, with our younger veterans there
are many effective programs, like CPT, they have electronic
programs, there are different programs for the younger veterans
where it is fresh, still in their memory.
I find that what I am hearing from my era, back not only
Vietnam, Korea, and even a few World War II stragglers around,
that we are very honored to be in their presence, is that it is
not as effective dredging up those old memories.
I am going to ask Director Ilem to expound a little more
because she also has her hand on that pulse.
Ms. Ilem. To address your question specifically, yes, when
we do hear about new treatments, alternative treatments, we are
always curious about what VA is doing. Certainly we encourage
VA to give us briefings on different treatments for PTSD,
military sexual trauma related PTSD. So we think that is an
important thing to continue to grow and see what is available.
And what veterans want to use is often not more of a standard
treatment but some of these new treatments that are available
to them.
Senator Tuberville. Do you encourage members to report
anything that has helped them, you know, anything that has been
successful?
Ms. Ilem. Yes, and we have actually done a couple of
magazine articles about some of the different new drugs and
treatments that are being provided that would be considered
alternative treatments.
Senator Tuberville. If a veteran claims a certain alternate
treatment has helped him, what does the DAV consider successful
enough as a result to share with the VA? Does it have to be a
certain number?
Ms. Ilem. Well, we think that research is important. VA is
very focused on evidence-based treatments, and we courage them
to expeditiously do any research that is needed. We want to
make sure treatments are effective not harming in any way.
Senator Tuberville. Thank you.
Commander, in your testimony you also mentioned the
dissatisfaction among veterans with the Community Care referral
process. I too, and I think we are dissatisfied with the red
tape veterans go through to get referred to a provider in the
community, especially as it relates to treatment for substance
use disorders. What experience have your members have with
accessing treatment clinics in the community through the
Community Care system?
Mr. Parsetich. You know, care in the community process
where you contact your primary provider first to get the
referral to other resources available, and understand we
encourage those being utilized if and only if the VA does not
have a specialized person that can address that within the
mileage or time element aspect. That being said, however, you
are 100 percent right that it is not uncommon for veterans
being asked to wait 4 to 6 weeks or more just trying to get a
referral and then get the runaround.
So we need encouragement when it comes to that because we
are very grateful and appreciative as far as to have these
services available to us, but like I said, we have to just work
on refinement. We have a good foundation. Care in the community
was a tremendous benefit for the veterans as far as when we
cannot access other specialists. It kind of like an
alternative. Sometimes we can get telemed, but telemeds are not
always going to address the situation where you need a face-to-
face, because many veterans respond better when they are
sitting across from somebody than looking on a screen.
But thank you for bringing up the point that, yes, we have
challenges, but challenges mean that we are doing something in
the right direction. We just have to refine it.
Senator Tuberville. Yes. Yes. Are you hearing a lot of
lengthy wait times? Is there a lot of wait times for our vets?
Mr. Parsetich. Sometimes, and again, many times it depends
on the availability of whoever they are trying to access.
Sometimes it is just with the paperwork glitch. But the VA is
very much on top of that and the Secretary does have a hotline.
We have real good relationships with the Secretary, and when we
find a particular problem area he usually addresses it right
away to make sure that we can smooth out some of these rough
edges.
Senator Tuberville. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
Senator Moran. Thank you, Senator Tuberville. Senator King.
HON. ANGUS S. KING, JR.,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MAINE
Senator King. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First I want to
explain to the DAV members here what is going on. If you think
the computer system at the VA is inadequate, they have not
figured out how to schedule committee meetings.
[Laughter.]
Senator King. Two floors above us I am in a meeting of the
Armed Services Committee on Ukraine, a meeting that I think you
will all agree is worth going to. So Senator Tuberville and I,
if you see us bouncing back and forth and in and out it is not
a lack of attention or interest. It is because we are trying to
do our duty as best we can, to the multiple responsibilities
that we have. I am sure you are thinking, where are all these
people going? We are not going out for coffee, I can assure
you.
Commander Parsetich, I want to look ahead a little bit. The
VA estimates that in the next 25 years or so the number of
veterans over 85 is going to go up by like 40 percent. There is
going to be a huge demand for long-term care. I do not expect a
short answer here, but I want to put the DAV's good thinking to
help us think through this problem that I think is coming at
us. It is much better to prepare and think ahead rather than to
react to a crisis when it sweeps over us. Is that something the
DAV can help us with?
Mr. Parsetich. You bet there is, Senator King, and thank
you for that question. But I am going to give you the short
answer. Director Marszalek, can you address that?
[Laughter.]
Senator King. Hey, I like that deal.
Ms. Ilem. I will take this one, Jim. Yes, we see the
impending number of aging veterans coming. In fact, it is one
of DAV's critical policy goals for this and this Congress. And
we know veterans want to remain at home as long as they can,
with their loved ones and their families, and that requires
support.
When we do need community living centers or nursing homes
or state veterans home that is key to have that option, but
there are so many steps in between, from assisted living to
veteran-directed care, just to having support in the home to be
able to maintain that. So we want to work with you.
Senator King. I am a great believer in home care. I have
never met anybody yet who wants to go to a nursing home.
Ms. Ilem. Right.
Senator King. You want to stay home. It is also less
expensive for the taxpayers, and I just think that is
something. There is bill that we just reported out, the
Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act. We want to keep working on that.
Help us get that through the Senate, would you please?
Ms. Ilem. Absolutely. We will be 100 percent behind you
there.
Senator King. In just a few seconds, the other issue that I
am really concerned about is the transition, and you mentioned
that, Commander, in your comments. That is where there is a
disproportionate number of suicides in the first 2 or 3 years
after separation. I hope you can work with us to develop a
program of a truly warm handoff. I have told the Department of
Defense and the committee upstairs, in Armed Services, I think
they should spend as much time, money, and effort on the
transition out as they do on the recruiting in, and I hope that
is something you can help me with.
[Applause.]
Mr. Parsetich. Senator, the DAV would be honored to support
such legislation because the transition is critical. And giving
our men and women the encouragement, resources, programs that
they deserve to make a successful transition--and I am not
talking from a pharmacological perspective right now. I am
talking from a peer perspective, where they can help each other
and be guided by the professionals in a way to where they are
going to be able to reestablish self-respect, self-esteem, and
self-worth, that they can be reestablished, not only within
themselves but within their communities.
Senator King. My vision is a VSO officer meeting the
veteran at the airport, saying, ``Welcome back. Here are the
resources that are available to you.'' Literally. I mean,
literally meeting them at the airport to know that there is
that community of veterans in their state. That is the
direction I want to move in.
Thank you very much, Commander, for being here. Thank you,
Mr. Chairman. I have got to go back upstairs.
Chairman Tester [presiding]. Thank you, Senator. Senator
Boozman.
HON. JOHN BOOZMAN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM ARKANSAS
Senator Boozman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and first of all
I have got to give a big shout-out to my Arkansas folks. Thank
you for making the trip and the great job that you do at home
representing the state, and again, all you do for veterans.
Commander, thank you. You and your team do an outstanding
job. We really do appreciate that.
I had the opportunity to serve in the House on the
Veterans' Affairs Committee and now in the Senate, and I know
firsthand that we have been able to achieve a lot, but it
simply would not have gotten done without your help. So thank
you for your advocacy. The idea of looking out and seeing so
many people sitting here, talking to their representatives,
there is just no substitute for that. So again, that is a big
deal.
The VA CAREERS Act is a crucial piece of legislation for
reducing vacancies and staffing shortages in the VA. VA
continues to be at a disadvantage when it comes to recruiting
and retaining those talented medical professionals across the
country, especially in rural areas. Can you briefly speak to
what this legislation would mean for the VA and why it is
important to ensure the VA has the ability to recruit and
retain the best health care professionals?
Mr. Parsetich. You bet. You know, I have had the pleasure
of serving under three Secretaries of the VA right now on
veterans rural health and that is always the very first topic
of conversation--what can we do to recruit and retain those
professionals. But to give you further information I am going
to defer over to Director Ilem to expound a little bit more.
Senator Boozman. Thank you.
Ms. Ilem. DAV is a proud sponsor of that legislation. We
know right now that it is more critical than ever to be able to
hire and recruit the best and the brightest for VA. Our
veterans deserve no less. And the bill is jam-packed with
provisions that will really help to do that. It is essential
the VA is able to be competitive for some of these scarce
medical specialties, and again, our veterans deserve to have
the very best and brightest, and we are happy to be behind you
to get that across the finish line.
Senator Boozman. We appreciate that. And one of the things
that we were able to get put in it was how do you deal with
directors being detailed to different positions, being gone for
long periods of time. Leadership truly does make a huge
difference. Can you talk specifically about that, about not
having leadership in place at the medical centers and filling
those? And it is hard because, you know, we are competing with
the private sector, and they probably pay them many times more.
On the other hand, we simply have to get those positions
filled.
Ms. Ilem. And we really appreciate that provision
specifically because we know when there is poor care that
happens or a problem, it is usually a place where the
leadership has been lacking, or to move somebody in and out
that was not able to be there to really advocate and make sure
that facility is run top notch. And VA has to be able to
attract those people that have the experience and the ability
to really run a medical center. It is essential.
Senator Boozman. Thank you very much. Thank you, Commander,
and again, thanks to all of your team for the great job they
do, and for all of you that made the trip and do such a
tremendous job in your states. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Tester. Thank you, Senator Boozman. Ranking Member
Takano.
Mr. Takano. Thank you, Chairman Tester. Commander
Parsetich, I just got to personally express my gratitude for
just the courageous way that you have spoken about your own
personal struggles and what a great service you are to veterans
who are struggling themselves, to know.
But yes, I want to reiterate probably something that has
already been reiterated here but I think it needs reiteration.
Republican leadership in the House has suggested funding levels
for departments and the agency should be capped at fiscal year
2022 levels while the Department of Defense is held harmless.
In the case of VA, that would mean a loss of $31 billion, or
roughly 24 percent of VA's budget, just as Congress is tasked
with implementing the PACT Act, opening up medical eligibility
for 3.1 million veterans.
As members of the independent budget VSOs, DAV has vital
insight into the annual budget and VA funding. Do you believe
that this stake, this stance that the House Republicans have
taken puts veterans' access to care and services in jeopardy?
Mr. Parsetich. Congressman, thank you for bringing that
forward because any cuts to our veterans would be devastating
financial cuts. These men and women have earned the right to
get the highest quality care, and we are not insensitive to
budgets and things of this nature, but we have already paid the
price in full, many times over. Some of whom who did not make
it back, they paid the ultimate price, and those of us left
behind.
I think we deserve the best.
[Applause.]
Mr. Takano. Well, I do too, and what was demonstrated in an
unprecedented way was the way that the political will was
generated by you, the veteran service organizations, to change
the way that the Federal Government and this Congress have
looked at toxic exposure. No longer should you have the burden
of proof on your shoulders, but you should have the benefit of
the doubt, in my opinion. You should be given the benefit of
the doubt. And we created the toxic exposure fund so that
funding toxic-exposed veterans would not pit you against other
veterans. There would not be a Hunger Games played by veterans
having to compete against one another, and more than that, for
veterans to not compete with programs that benefit all
Americans.
And so you can count on me, and I know that you can count
on Senator Tester, that we are simply not going to stand for
any kind of talk about returning to 2022 funding levels, which
would put the VA and all veterans just in an untenable place. I
hope that as all of you visit folks on Capitol Hill you let
them know the true skinny on all of this. So thank you.
Mr. Parsetich. Thank you for that.
[Applause.]
Chairman Tester. Thank you, Ranking Member Takano. I
appreciate those comments, and I do not usually have you speak
for me but I like those comments. That is fine. That is good.
We appreciate it.
Look, I am going to close this out, and I am going to close
it out by thanking the DAV. You have got some of the best folks
on the Hill that you could ever get. These folks are straight
shooters. They tell us what you need. They do not BS around.
And I am going to tell you because of the DAV's influence up
here on the Hill we have been able to get some good things
done. So all you guys' memberships and gals' memberships out
there, just know that they are doing really, really, really
good work representing you in Congress.
I have been here long enough, both as the Ranking Member,
Chair, and as a member of this Committee to watch people come
up and give you lip service and then do things like fist bump
on the Senate floor or vote against a budget that actually
funds things like the PACT Act or the Deborah Sampson Act. You
guys see through that stuff, and you guys pull away all the
chafe from the wheat and make sure that we are doing our job.
So what I am saying to you is thank God for the DAV. Thank
you guys for the work you are doing.
[Applause.]
Chairman Tester. Thank you very much.
Joe Parsetich, Commander Parsetich, you make Montana proud.
We appreciate you being here. I want to thank you for giving
the 2023 legislative priorities for the DAV and putting them
out there very clear and forthright. We appreciate that.
Look folks, we have got a lot of work to do ahead of us. We
have got a couple of great Committees here, and I will not
speak for the House side. We have got a great Committee in the
Senate, and we are going to work together to make sure we do
right for the veterans. But we have got a lot of work to do,
and your input is going to be critically important.
With that we will keep the record open for a week if you
have additional comments you would like to put forth, and this
hearing is now adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 11:13 a.m., the hearing was adjourned.]
A P P E N D I X
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