[Senate Hearing 119-285]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
S. Hrg. 119-285
INDEPENDENT SPIRITS: VETERAN HEALTH AND
HEALING THROUGH ADAPTIVE SPORTS
=======================================================================
HEARING
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
__________
FEBRUARY 4, 2026
__________
Printed 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
62-740 PDF WASHINGTON : 2026
=======================================================================
SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
Jerry Moran, Kansas, Chairman
John Boozman, Arkansas Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut,
Bill Cassidy, Louisiana Ranking Member
Thom Tillis, North Carolina Patty Murray, Washington
Dan Sullivan, Alaska Bernard Sanders, Vermont
Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Mazie K. Hirono, Hawaii
Kevin Cramer, North Dakota Margaret Wood Hassan, New
Tommy Tuberville, Alabama Hampshire
Jim Banks, Indiana Angus S. King, Jr., Maine
Tim Sheehy, Montana Tammy Duckworth, Illinois
Ruben Gallego, Arizona
Elissa Slotkin, Michigan
David Shearman, Staff Director
Tony McClain, Democratic Staff Director
C O N T E N T S
----------
February 4, 2026
SENATORS
Page
Hon. Jerry Moran, Chairman, U.S. Senator from Kansas............. 1
Hon. Richard Blumenthal, Ranking Member, U.S. Senator from
Connecticut.................................................... 2
Hon. Tommy Tuberville, U.S. Senator from Alabama................. 12
Hon. Margaret Wood Hassan, U.S. Senator from New Hampshire....... 14
Hon. Angus S. King, Jr., U.S. Senator from Maine................. 16
Hon. Mazie K. Hirono, U.S. Senator from Hawaii................... 18
Hon. Jim Banks, U.S. Senator from Indiana........................ 20
Hon. Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Senator from Tennessee............... 22
WITNESSES
Panel I
Gabriel George, Director of Pickleball, Military Adaptive Court
Sports (MACS), and Adaptive Sports Ambassador.................. 3
Elizabeth Smith, U.S. Navy Aviation Maintenance Administrationman
(Ret.)......................................................... 5
Julie Howell, Associate Legislative Director for Government
Relations, Paralyzed Veterans of America....................... 7
Panel II
Rachel McArdle, PhD, Deputy Executive Director, Rehabilitation
and Prosthetics Service, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs................................. 24
APPENDIX
Prepared Statements
Gabriel George, Director of Pickleball, Military Adaptive Court
Sports (MACS), and Adaptive Sports Ambassador.................. 35
Elizabeth Smith, U.S. Navy Aviation Maintenance Administrationman
(Ret.)......................................................... 38
Julie Howell, Associate Legislative Director for Government
Relations, Paralyzed Veterans of America....................... 42
Rachel McArdle, PhD, Deputy Executive Director, Rehabilitation
and Prosthetics Service, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs................................. 48
Statements for the Record
Hon. Catherine Cortez Masto, U.S. Senator from Nevada............ 63
Disabled American Veterans, Jon Retzer, National Legislative
Director....................................................... 64
Shawn Morelli, Team USA, three-time gold medalist in 2016 and
2020 Paralympic Games.......................................... 68
The Action Foundation, Audra Klinkner, Executive Director........ 71
Wounded Warrior Project.......................................... 75
INDEPENDENT SPIRITS: VETERAN HEALTH AND HEALING THROUGH ADAPTIVE SPORTS
----------
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2026
U.S. Senate,
Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 4 p.m., in Room
SD-G50, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Jerry Moran,
Chairman of the Committee, presiding.
Present: Senators Moran, Cassidy, Blackburn, Tuberville,
Banks, Sheehy, Blumenthal, Hirono, Hassan, and King.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JERRY MORAN,
CHAIRMAN, U.S. SENATOR FROM KANSAS
Chairman Moran. Good afternoon everyone. The Committee will
come to order and we welcome our witnesses, certainly, those
who are here to hear the testimony. And I look forward to
Senator Blumenthal joining us shortly. He is on his way. But
I'm excited about this hearing and I'm excited about the time
of this hearing in advance of the Olympics and Paralympics. And
glad we're on this path.
The VA's Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and
Special Events provide veterans with the opportunity for
specialized rehabilitative, adaptive sporting, and creative
arts events. These unique events are designed to foster
independence, strengthen the community involvement, and improve
the overall quality of life for veterans living with
disabilities.
Through direct programming, adaptive sport grants, and
training stipends for elite veteran paralympic athletes, our
country provides veterans recovering from injury as they build
new strengths, compete as teammates within a new community, and
engage in healthy living through tailored athletic and
rehabilitation events.
America's service members and veterans are a testament to
our Nation's strength, resiliency, and determination. And we
see that in the veteran athletes competing in VA adaptive
sporting events or training to represent our Nation in
international competitions as part of Team USA.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games approach
in Milan, I want to wish Team USA, especially the veteran
athletes representing our Nation, every success as they
compete. Their dedication and perseverance, inspire Americans,
inspire the world, inspire other veterans. We're proud to cheer
them on.
Today, we're honored to welcome two veteran adaptee sport
athletes who will share their journeys and how adaptee sports
supported their path from rehabilitation to elite competition.
I look forward to hearing your stories, discussing the roles
these programs play in veterans' health and healing. I
particularly look forward to hearing about how we can make sure
that these opportunities are available to all veterans that
could benefit from this program.
My script says I should yield to the Ranking Member at this
moment, but I'm going to introduce the witnesses and we're
going to proceed. Testifying on this panel is Gabriel George,
the Director of Pickleball at Military Adaptive Court Sports
(MACS) and Adaptive Sports Ambassador; Elizabeth Smith, U.S.
Navy Aviation Maintenance Administrationman, Retired; and Julie
Howell, Associate Legislative Director for Paralyzed Veterans
of America.
I would also like to acknowledge Mason Symons, a
Paralympian medalist, a current team member of USA, a member
and Ambassador at Oscar Mike Foundation, who unfortunately
could not join us today due to an injury he's recently
sustained. His testimony will be made a part of the record and
we wish him a very speedy recovery. And thank all of you, all
of you for being here this afternoon.
Let me give Senator Blumenthal a moment to turn the page,
and then I recognize him for his opening statement.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL,
RANKING MEMBER, U.S. SENATOR FROM CONNECTICUT
Senator Blumenthal. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I apologize
for my lateness. I went to our other hearing room, but I'm glad
to be here, and thank the Chairman for having this very
important hearing. Proud to have you represent our country.
Your example of how adaptive sports can change lives and your
dedication and hard work are really impressive.
I applaud the work of VA's physical, occupational, and
recreational therapists, as well as the VSOs--Veterans Service
Organizations and local adaptive sports organizations for
delivering this irreplaceable service to our veterans. I look
forward to hearing and learning more. I want to offer a thanks
to the Gaylord Sports Association and Summit Adaptive Sports
organization based in Connecticut.
I've heard veterans in my home state speak about the life
changing experiences that come from these organizations and
adaptive sports.
One veteran said to me, ``After I came back from Iraq, I
was a mess. I had issues relating to my family. I felt I no
longer had a mission in life and everything was in shambles.''
He went on to say, ``I had a veteran attend a veteran's--I had
a friend attend a veteran sporting event. It was amazing. It
helped me get out of my head. I have regularly attended many
various programs since then, and it has increased my social
circle and my confidence.'' I thank those organizations and I
thank you for being here today. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Moran. Mr. George, you're recognized. All of you
will be recognized for your testimony. Thank you. Please
proceed.
PANEL I
----------
STATEMENT OF GABRIEL GEORGE, DIRECTOR OF PICKLEBALL, MILITARY
ADAPTIVE COURT SPORTS (MACS), AND ADAPTIVE SPORTS AMBASSADOR
Mr. George. Good evening, Chairman Moran, Mr. Blumenthal,
the Members of the community. My name is Gabriel George. I'm a
Texas native who honorably served the world's greatest Navy for
five years, from 2004 until 2009. Unfortunately, I was involved
in a motorcycle accident back in April 1, 2008, where it left
me with multiple traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord
injuries, and a paralyzed right arm.
Once I was medically retired from the Navy, I lived in pain
without a real purpose for about 10 years until the VA called
me one day and asked me to come out to a Summer Sports Clinic
in San Diego. And my first reaction was, ``How could I do this?
'' I had this arm here hanging, I'm in so much pain, I couldn't
really compete and really do anything, so I was like, ``but you
know what? I'll do it.''
That was the best answer, best yes, I could have said in my
life, because from that moment, that week of being introduced
to multiple sports changed my life forever. I went to one of
the clinics where they showed me archery, and I was watching
everybody else sit around and shoot, and I was like, ``okay,
it's cool, but I don't have an arm to use, so how in the world
am I going to be able to do this? ''
And one of the coaches there heard me say it. He reached in
his pocket, pulled a string out and tied it around the boat and
said, ``Bite down on this and pull.'' That was before COVID, so
I trusted them. It was like, ``Okay, I'll do this.'' And once
that arrow hit the target, I was like, ``Wow, this is something
really I can do.'' And the more I kept doing it, they kept
doing it.
Others started saying things like, ``Well, you know, the VA
has a program where if you meet a certain record, whatever, we
have a funding and a stipend that they'll help you pay.''
Then my mind was like, ``I can pay for--I can feed my
family with this. I can do something. There's some more
purpose.'' So, after that week of training, of learning in
different sports, and pickleball was one of the sports there
too--I'll get to that later--but I went home and bought my
first bow.
Then fast forward, I met other archers and won. A
Paralympic archer named Andre Shelby, who took me under his
wing and showed me the ropes, and we started competing and
training, doing tournaments all around the world. And that
trial led me to doing the Warrior Games and Invictus Games
where I've continuously been able to meet other veterans like
Ellie and more and more people that have gone through similar
situations where they was living in pain, but were using these
adaptive sports as a purpose of their life and giving them a
reason to keep going.
When I found out about pickleball at the Summer Sports
Clinic, I fell in love with it. That was a sport that I felt
like I could play for hours without being dead. And once I
mentioned it to other people and other people saw the joy of me
playing this game, they were like, ``Wow, what is this? What is
this? '' I'm becoming affective in it.
I met a guy named--what's his name? Steven Harper, I
believe. He had this foundation where he was teaching veterans
racquetball. But I asked him, ``Have you heard of pickleball?
And he was like, ``What was that?'' Well, fast forward, he
applied for a grant from the VA from the Adaptive Sports Grant,
and they approved him for pickleball, but not for racquetball.
And then he called me and said, ``Look, I need your help.''
This was about eight years ago and since then, I've been a
part of the Pickleball Director for Military Adaptive Court
Sports, volunteering my service, but teaching veterans all
across this country, pickleball, racquetball, table tennis,
badminton, and this other sport that he loves called ``Padel.''
And daily, I get to share my love and passion with others
that I've seen just coming off the couch, that has been
suffering, that didn't have no purpose, and given a new purpose
to adaptive sports.
I love what the VA offers and the programs that they've
offered. They have been a big help. The only issue I've had
though, is one of the main things, once we get addicted, once
we get hooked, we don't try to find life then, then funding
becomes an issue. There are small grants--there are small
things for those that want to compete on an elite level, but
then there's a whole mass of veterans that, ``I just want to
get off the couch. I want to find my purpose. I just want to
play with my family.''
And that's what I'm grateful for, like the Adaptive Sports
Grant, that it helps VA--it helps MACS and Military Adaptive
Sports to fund these things for local events. But there's a
whole need for others to be able to reach out.
We go serve underserved communities, we find thousands of
veterans. This year with this grant so far, in this first
quarter, we have reached over 800 veterans. And we're trying to
keep that going monthly throughout to serve this country.
I'm thankful for that, but I see the need that's continued
to be asked for by other veterans that I come in contact with
daily. It's like, ``Okay, what's next? '' Because once you
light this little fire like I was lit, how do I keep this
going? How do I keep doing this with my family? How do I share
this with other family members?
I represent other organizations like Will of Iron that do
golf for veterans. And there are smaller organizations that
have trouble getting funding from the VA grant because they are
such a small organization, even though they are 501(c)(3). But
it takes a multitude of people to run some of these things, to
do the finances, to do the paperwork behind the grant process.
And even with us, it's like I spend more hours working and
doing paperwork than I get to do on the court and trying to
help everyone. And that's a limitation. We're always trying to
find and get over, but it's something we do well. I love what I
do because this is outside of me competing--competing was fun.
I love the intention, I love the act of it, but my passion now
is teaching and sharing that love with others.
The veterans that come before me--when I meet a veteran
from multiple wars before me, and is an 80 year old and I'm
talking about, ``You can come play pickleball with me.'' And
he's like, ``What in the world? Why didn't I think of it?'' And
then, at least for me, them playing a sport with me on the
court, now I am talking to him, asking ``When are you coming to
the VA? What are your benefits? What haven't you been taking?
Go and see what other things that you can help for yourself and
for your family.''
So, I thank you for this time. Thank you for hearing me
here. I'll be here for the next couple of hours.
[The prepared statement of Mr. George appears on pages 35-
37 of the Appendix.]
Chairman Moran. We appreciate that. And Mr. George, you're
the highlight of my day so far. It was a joy to have you here
and hear what you have to say, otherwise, I've been having to
listen to these people on the left of me and the right of me.
And this is the--I'm happy to have you right where you are,
telling me how to change a life. So, thank you. Ms. Smith.
STATEMENT OF ELIZABETH SMITH, U.S. NAVY AVIATION MAINTENANCE
ADMINISTRATIONMAN (RET.)
Ms. Smith. Good afternoon, Chairman Moran, Ranking Member
Blumenthal, and distinguished Members of the Committee. Thank
you for inviting me here today. My name is Elizabeth Smith, and
adaptive sports changed my life. In 2017, while stationed
aboard the USS Nimitz, I was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a
fast-growing cancer of the brain and spine that starts near the
brain stem.
I'm incredibly fortunate that chemotherapy and radiation
were successful. But surviving cancer came at a cost. When my
treatment ended, I didn't feel like myself anymore. I've lost
my strength, my motivation and soon my identity. When I found
out that I was being medically retired, the reality that I
would never serve my country the way I had once dreamed, left
me feeling like the shell of a human being I once was.
During that time, my non-medical case manager with Navy
Wounded Warrior, and my mom, who's here today with me, refused
to let me give up on myself. They insisted that I try an
adaptive sports camp, even when I didn't believe it would do
anything to help me. I attended my first adaptive sports camp
in late 2018 and it was overwhelming. I couldn't move the way I
wanted to. I struggled to hear what was going on around me and
I felt like I was failing at everything I tried.
Then they put me back in a pool. Suddenly, I was swimming
the way I used to when I competed in high school. And that
moment, I felt a spark of hope return. Something I truly
thought was gone forever. But that spark didn't disappear, it
only grew. Before long, I was participating in seated field
events, shooting and eventually wheelchair rugby, which became
especially meaningful to me.
Through Navy Wounded Warrior Adaptive Sports, I slowly
rebuilt myself. I gained confidence, reconnected with others,
and for the first time since my diagnosis, I felt like I had a
purpose again. But when I was no longer eligible to compete
through that program, after a two-Warrior game limit, I could
feel myself slipping back into the same dark place I had fought
so hard to get out of.
I went to my VA mental health provider to ask how I could
get involved in the VA's Adaptive Sports and Arts Program.
Something I had heard other veterans like Gabe speaking about.
I was told that it would be difficult for me to get an
appointment because I wasn't training to compete at a high
level. I was simply trying to stay healthy.
That's when organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project
and the Semper Fi Fund stepped in. They didn't just fill a gap,
they carried me forward. They supported my physical and mental
health, helped me continue growing and connected me with local
nonprofits that gave me ways to stay active and involved in my
local community. I haven't had much direct success with the
VA's Adaptive Sports and Arts Program, but the grants that they
give community organizations have made a real difference in my
life.
Through these grants, I participate in adaptive horseback
riding and horsemanship at the EquiCenter, a small local
nonprofit that provides equine therapy at no cost to veterans.
It gives me a place to show up, connect with others, and feel
like I belong. It may not sound like much, just a few hours a
week practicing a sport or hanging out with horses, but those
are the hours that matter the most. Those are the hours when my
pain fades into the background, when relationships are built,
and when veterans can feel proud of what they are capable of.
It reminds us that we still have value and we still have a
purpose.
When I spoke with some of the legislative aides about what
I should share today, one question or one thing about the
VA's--sorry. When I spoke with the legislative VA, it's about
what I should share today, one question really stuck out. If I
had a magic wand and could change one thing about the VA's
Adaptive Sports and Arts Program, what would it be?
My answer was quite simple. Make adaptive sports accessible
to all veterans, not just those who live near major VA
facilities. Giving the smaller VA clinics the ability to host
group workouts, sports clinics, and informative sessions about
what adaptive sports are, and if you qualify, would streamline
their ability to communicate openly about the programming, like
the five national events that currently take place. And open a
dialogue of what is provided through the VA, who qualifies, and
what other options might be potentially helpful.
When we make adaptive sports and fitness a priority, we do
more than promote physical health. We give disabled veterans a
safe place to let their guard down, build friendships, share
resources, and rediscover joy. No matter where a veteran lives,
what equipment they need or the level at which they compete,
every eligible veteran deserves equal access to these
opportunities and the chance to live an active, purposeful
life.
It's through committees like this that you have an
opportunity to not just focus on the health of veterans, but
their well-being as a whole individual. It is my dream that
every veteran, regardless of ability, has equal access, equal
support, and equal opportunity to the care and opportunities
that they deserve. Thank you so much, and I look forward to
your questions.
[The prepared statement of Ms. Smith appears on pages 38-41
of the Appendix.]
Chairman Moran. Ms. Smith, thank you for sharing your dream
and showing this purpose in your life and see if you can make
certain those dreams can come true for others as well. Ms.
Howell.
STATEMENT OF JULIE HOWELL, ASSOCIATE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR FOR
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA
Ms. Howell. Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Blumenthal and
Members of the Committee, Paralyzed Veterans of America
appreciates the opportunity to testify today. Most of my
opening remarks will focus on some of the bills covered in my
written testimony, but I first want to take a minute to stress
the importance of adaptive sports in the lives of PVA members.
Veterans who have incurred a spinal cord injury or disorder.
PVA is proud of its role in the evolution of adaptive
sports, and we're continually working to bring accessible
recreation opportunities to our members across the country. Our
sports and rec program is truly unique and the impact they've
had on the health and well-being of veterans with catastrophic
disabilities cannot be overstated.
Between January and July of this year, PVA will host 30
adaptive sporting opportunities ranging from California to
Maine. These events include adaptive pickleball camps, the
wheelchair rugby invitational, which just wrapped up this past
weekend, a bass fishing tournament series, paracycling camps,
wheelchair basketball camps, and others.
We are also now hosting an outdoor recreation experience in
several locations across the country. Our adaptive sports
calendar will culminate this summer with the National Veterans
Wheelchair Games in Detroit, Michigan. For the past 41 years,
PVA has partnered with the VA to host the largest gathering of
wheelchair athletes in the country.
It's difficult to describe how impactful adaptive sports
can be on an individual veteran's life, which is why I'm happy
that Ellie and Gabriel are here to share their experience today
with the Committee. I can say that for PVA members who
participate in adaptive sports programs, they not only improve
their cardiovascular health, increase their strengths,
stability, and endurance, but all of those things coalesce and
lead to more healthy and independent lives.
I'd now like to turn my attention to a few pieces of
pending legislation that could improve access to adaptive
sports and overall independence for disabled veterans. First,
1723, the Automotive Support Services to Improve Safe
Transportation or the ASSIST Act would provide a technical fix
to the Veterans AUTO and Education Improvement Act, which
Congress passed in December 2022.
That bill authorized a second auto grant to eligible
veterans and codified VA's existing practice of furnishing
certain items such as van lifts or wheelchair tie downs to
catastrophically disabled veterans. However, that bill
inadvertently restricted access to only the specific items
listed in the legislation, which was not the intent of
Congress. The ASSIST Act would allow VA to ensure that veterans
can receive necessary modifications for them to live more
independent lives, and we urge Committee members to support
this technical fix.
Next, I'd like to discuss S. 1644, the Autonomy for
Disabled Veterans Act. This legislation would authorize an
increase to the VA's Home Improvements and Structural
Alterations grant program, or the HISA grant. HISA rates
haven't been increased since 2010, despite the rising cost of
construction. The Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act would
increase the grant amount from 6,800 to 10,000 for service-
connected veterans and raise it from 2,000 to 6,800 for non-
service-connected veterans who are still enrolled in the VA.
For veterans to be successful and live those independent
lives, they need to have a safe and accessible home, and it is
long past due for Congress to increase the rates for the HISA
grant. Another bill is S. 3138, the Veterans Supporting
Prosthetics Opportunities and Recreational Therapy Act, or the
Veterans SPORT Act. Without access to adaptive prosthesis and
terminal devices, veterans may struggle and they may face even
more barriers when trying to engage with adaptive sports.
The Veterans SPORT Act would remove the need for special
authorizations for veterans to receive an adaptive device,
improving access to sports and recreation, while also removing
a bureaucratic label barrier that disabled veterans face.
Finally, I'd like to call your attention to a public service
announcement launched by PVA this week. Our new hard work PVA
follows members as they turn the skills gained in adaptive
sports into everyday independence.
These videos highlight how adaptive sports are more than
fitness. They can be a powerful tool in building motor control,
improved mental health and community integration. What looks
like training is actually transformation and improved access to
adaptive sports can do just that, transform lives, as our other
witnesses have already testified to today.
Thank you again for the opportunity to share our views with
the Committee. With the upcoming Winter Olympics and
Paralympics, we're glad to help elevate the importance of
disabled veterans, particularly in adaptive sports. Whether a
veteran is a Paralympian or a novice just getting started or
somewhere in between, adaptive sports can empower veterans and
inspire communities through their remarkable achievements.
Thank you again for the opportunity, and I look forward to your
questions.
[The prepared statement of Ms. Howell appears on pages 42-
47 of the Appendix.]
Chairman Moran. Julie, thank you for your testimony and for
the role that Paralyzed Veterans of America play in advocating
on behalf of veterans. I'm going to ask a couple of questions.
I'm going to turn to Senator Blumenthal, and then we'll ask my
colleagues to join in those questions. I'm particularly
interested in Ms. Smith--a Kansan, like me, and the rural
nature of our state, and you talked about the lack of
opportunities for people who don't live in the city. Tell me
about that and what have you seen or observed and how could it
be fixed?
Ms. Smith. Yes, sir. So, the appointment that I went to was
in Buffalo, New York. And you hear people who come from San
Antonio, they come from major VA areas. I came from Denver.
There was a huge push for adaptive sports when the brand-new VA
opened in Denver. When I went to Buffalo, I was expected--I was
expecting to be met with, ``yes, let's do this, let's get you
off meds, let's get you in a chair playing sports. Let's get
you doing these things.''
But instead, I was told that I was not going to get an
appointment because I was not trying to be a Paralympian. I was
not following--I wasn't getting a grant for anything. Instead,
they said, ``this sounds like you can be served by outside
organizations.'' And I am so thankful that there were
organizations through the DoD, like the Navy Wounded Warrior
Program.
I'm so thankful for the Wounded Warrior Program and the
Semper Fi Fund. But at the end of the day, it's not their
responsibility to carry us forward. It's not their weight to
carry. That is something that the VA should step up and take
care of, but we're being turned away and said, ``Hey, just go
out to the community, find a way.''
But there was no help. There was no, ``let's get you
connected, here's the connections, or here's even a place to
start.'' It was just shot down and it felt like they were
almost saying, 'You are not hurt enough. You are not sick
enough; you are not enough.'' And when you're already going
through that mental space of ``I am not enough because I can no
longer serve my community and my country the way I wanted to. I
am not enough because I don't fit for this organization.''
And so, it was extremely difficult to see online, my
friends who live in Texas and my friends who live in California
and all of these places and they're getting camps. They're
going to work out at their VAs. They're doing clinics, they're
doing all this stuff. And when I bring it up, they literally
tell us that we are not suburban enough or that we don't have a
young enough crowd.
Chairman Moran. When you say they bring it up, they being?
Ms. Smith. They being the doctors at any of the VA
facilities that I've gone to, both through Canandaigua, NY;
Buffalo, NY; and Syracuse, NY. Anytime I go, they literally
say, ``we don't have an''--the doctors all say, ``we don't have
a young enough group.'' Mobility and activeness does not have
to change as you age. And it is not a problem that we only have
a handful of 20- to 45-year-olds and they literally put that
age range there. We don't have the active group that we would
need 25- to 40-year-olds. So, that's what we're being faced
with.
Chairman Moran. Thanks for sharing that with me. It seems
to be that it's something that can be corrected. We can do
something wherever we live.
Ms. Smith. Correct.
Chairman Moran. And whatever VA we're at.
Ms. Smith. Correct.
Chairman Moran. Let me ask a broad question about the
Olympics and Paralympics. What opportunity do we as Senators,
we as Members of this Committee have in advance and during, and
following the Olympics that are about to occur to highlight the
opportunities--for one, I suppose maybe to share with Americans
that they ought to be tuning in to see some pretty amazing
people perform in the athletic arena, and to be inspired by
that, to give us as Americans hope and pride.
But beyond that, how can we use this to educate and
highlight for other veterans the opportunities that we hope are
there for those veterans? What's the suggestion about how do
we--I don't like this word, but how do we market the
opportunity that the Olympics presents to us? How do we use it
to market the opportunities? Mr. George, you seem so
enthusiastic. Enthusiastic about what we can do.
[Laughter.]
Ms. Smith. I was going to say, I feel like this is a great
question for Gabe.
Mr. George. I mean, you didn't want to say the word, but
it's the word--it's marketing. I've seen this on both sides,
especially when everyone sees the Paralympians, especially
those that come from military background. I mean, the military
is known for producing a lot of Paralympians because we got the
injured body parts hurting from combat or war or whatever it so
be. But the marketing side of showing what it took to get
there.
Because everybody sees the win, but nobody gets to see the
training. Nobody sees the finances, the support that--the
interdependence that it goes behind. To be a Paralympian you
have to become very selfish because you have to spend all your
time training. You have to spend everything that you do,
working to be that goal.
So, you got to put aside family support, friends, and all
that. So, it limits a whole group of people already to become
that--well, that's what it means to be a Paralympic, that's
what we know. But even once you get there, you have to have
that support. Like funding is always a big issue.
The VA has these certain grants, so to speak and the
stipends, once you've reached a certain level, but then you
still there, there's more to it. And a lot of us--a lot of
Paralympians we struggle from marketing because there's not a
lot of sponsors, so to speak, for Paralympians. You get it for
regular Olympians and stuff. But that market for true
Paralympians, they struggle finding funding.
And because a lot of people think, ``Okay, you're with the
VA, you got it.'' And then that's the biggest thing. We have to
go back and find our own sources for funding, for training, for
equipment and all that. And those create big gaps. But to
market for the Paralympics, I think just a marketing campaign
of showing--follow the athlete, show them what they go through
on a daily basis. Show people what it takes for them to get
there. And that's a great way to share why they should watch
it. Build those stories.
Chairman Moran. That makes sense to me. Before Senator
Blumenthal says, I went beyond my time this week, I recognize
Senator Blumenthal.
Senator Blumenthal. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. What do you
think, let me ask the whole panel, are the greatest challenges
for veterans seeking VA prosthetics? Is it the ability to get
new devices or repair or replace existing devices? And how
often are you subsidizing your monthly stipend from the
veterans' monthly assistance allowance with your own funds to
cover not only the cost of the equipment that you need, but
also food, housing, and other needs?
Ms. Smith. I think that the biggest challenge that we often
face is the questions that we have to answer. Because it's not
as easy as I want to be interested in wheelchair pickleball or
wheelchair basketball or wheelchair rugby or any adaptive
sport. It's not just a, ``Hey, this is what I need to be
successful.'' It's the runaround you get about it.
``Well, have you checked with this? Have you checked out
this? We can possibly get you a chair, but you're probably
looking at 18 to 20 months before we can find funding.'' So, I
think the biggest thing that I've run into specifically with
the VA, and it's more than just adaptive sports equipment, it's
getting a cane, was the questions that I was asked.
``Well, did you get the okay from this doctor? What about
this doctor who sent you here? '' When you're getting asked
1,010 questions, it makes it hard to--for something as simple
as a cane, it makes it hard to go to them and ask for, ``I need
a wheelchair for pickleball. I need a wheelchair for--
anything.'' So, I think it's just the number of hoops you have
to jump through just to get a hope for an answer.
Senator Blumenthal. And the delays result from the hoops
you need to jump through. Go ahead.
Mr. George. For me, in my own personal experiences, my two
kind of interactions with prosthetics office, one was when I'm
getting a shoulder harness built for archery. And with them I
had an easy process because when the VA doctor didn't know what
to do, he'd just send me outside. We did community care. And I
had other community care, private doctors would work with me to
figure out the problems, whatever we had to do. And the VA just
had to pay for it.
Other times was when I was working for the VA vehicle
grant, that was out. And the biggest problem is issues with
anything with prosthetics or anything with the VA, sometimes
it's communication. When I'm asking for something, if they
don't know where to get it from, don't know who to tell where
to get it from, or it's, ``Why do you need this?'' Like when it
came to a shoulder harness for a shooting archery, well, that's
not a medical device considered by some people. But in my
world, as I'm using this to compete with or the sports is my
therapy, so these devices are my medical device, these are
helping my well-being.
So, when you've got to have to find the right doctor who
knows how to write the right requests to get it through the
right people so that you get stuff approved.
Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. Ms. Howell.
Ms. Howell. Thank you for the question, sir. I think for
PVA members, for a majority of our members, we'd have a very
different or a more unique case study than our other witnesses
here. Because most of our members access VA care through the
SCI/D System of Care. SCI/D floors have a prosthetics rep,
things like recreational therapy, physical therapy,
occupational therapy, those facilities are staffed with that
level of personnel.
And so our folks, we haven't heard any issues as of late
that rose to the level that should be addressed here today. But
I think we have a positionality with our members because they
have direct access to a prosthetics rep. And so when there are
concerns at the facility level, they're often remediated rather
quickly.
Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. I think you mentioned
delays. What are the kinds of delays that you're talking about,
Ms. Smith?
Ms. Smith. Sorry, I apologize. I'm hard of hearing. So the
delays for me is just--even through community care, the small
clinics aren't able to get you in in a timely fashion. I mean,
for example, I have a neurology consult for community care
because the VA can no longer get me in because of our lack of
number of providers.
I got turned down by three of our community care providers
because we are coming from the VA. They literally said, ``we
cannot get you in.'' So, then you add the adaptive sports
equipment on top of that, where they're like, ``In-house, we
can't see you for six months.'' And I'm like, ``it's a 30-
minute meeting just to tell me about what I qualify for. Like,
I'm not asking for anything. I'll do it over Zoom. I'll do
whatever you guys need.'' But the delay is just getting in
front of people to get answers.
Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Moran. Thank you, Senator Blumenthal. Senator
Tuberville.
HON. TOMMY TUBERVILLE,
U.S. SENATOR FROM ALABAMA
Senator Tuberville. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thanks for all
of you being here today and telling your story. Very important.
You know, as a former football coach, I've seen firsthand the
positive impact sports can have on people's lives. And as a
Committee, we should be doing everything we possibly can do to
support alternative treatments for our veterans, like adaptive
sports programming.
Ms. Howell in your testimony you spoke about the importance
of veterans gaining access to transportation to expand
independence. And you referenced my ASSIST Act, and I thank you
for that, which aims to expand access for automobile
modifications for disabled veterans to participate in an
adaptive sport. A veteran has to be able to get there in the
first place to be able to compete. And so we have to find some
possible way to help out the veteran. So, how would my
legislation help more veterans in your thoughts of being able
to benefit from adaptive sports?
Ms. Howell. Thank you for the question, sir. And thank you
for sponsoring that legislation. I think everyone here
recognizes that the way the bill was implemented was not the
intent. This is simply a technical fix to get it right. The
language that was intended to be an example list ended up
becoming an exhaustive list. And so veterans across the country
were running into barriers when it came to making an adaptive
van instead of a vehicle.
And so the way those facilities interpreted that
understanding, again, I just want to stress that this is just a
technical fix. It seems so simple and we are eagerly awaiting
its passage, sir. Because like you said, adaptive sports are
great, getting to your VA facility is great, but some people
need modifications to be able to get there. And particularly
for our veterans in rural communities, accessible
transportation is really hard to find.
And a lot of these folks live super rural and their vehicle
is the only vehicle that is going to be able to get them there.
So, let's make sure that they get the adaptations that are
necessary for them to be able to not only go to their
appointments, but get to something in their community that's
going to provide them increased mental health, increased
physical access, and all of the things I mentioned earlier.
Senator Tuberville. Exactly. Thank you. What's the biggest
barriers your members face when trying to participate in
adaptive sports? Other than this?
Ms. Howell. I'll echo the other witnesses in that, you
know, in rural communities, it's rather challenging. You know,
you can only go to so many places. There's only so many
accessible hotel rooms for cities to host. We run into
complications when it comes to finding a city large enough to
host the wheelchair games. You need a convention center, you
need enough hotels within a reasonable area that have ADA
accessible hotels.
That's a whole separate hearing talking about accessible
hotel rooms. But these are serious challenges. You need a
facility that can accommodate 600 wheelchair users and you
don't really know what that means until you see it. It's quite
the undertaking. And I think one policy area around the VA
Adaptive Sports Grant that maybe we could look at is the VA
Adaptive Sports Grant can be used to host adaptive events,
recreation opportunities, but cannot be used for veteran travel
to get to those events.
So, veterans are on the hook for paying their own airfare.
They're on their own for any kind of travel in between. And
often that's a barrier to entry for a lot of folks, especially
coming from a rural community. So, imagine you're a veteran
living in a highly rural area, you can't get your vehicle
adapted and there's no paratransit that can get you to the
airport.
Like that's an entire opportunity gone. And then those are
veterans that don't have the amazing stories that my fellow
veterans here had today. It's all one thing after another.
Senator Tuberville. Thank you. Mr. George, as a former
coach, I saw firsthand the impact that team sports has on
players' mental health. What are ways this Committee can ensure
veterans have access to and information about great programs
like the one that rehabilitated you?
Mr. George. Great question. Communication. One of the best
things that got me informed about the actual VA program at
Summer Sports Clinic was through my rec therapist. But one
thing I've realized and even working with MACS, how we partner
with other veterans, we go through directly with rec
therapists. We try to find them, but there's a limited number
of rec therapists.
A lot of doctors don't even know what rec therapy is. They
don't know that the VA has a rec therapy program. So, when I'm
telling the vet, ``Hey, how do you get in contact with me? Talk
to your doctor, ask for an appointment with your doctor. Tell
him to refer you to rec therapy.'' A lot of VAs don't even have
them. In some areas they refer if there's no rec therapy
program. There's nobody facilitating events for the veterans.
So, that's why we come together, and outside organizations try
to help input those and get stuff started in the community.
Senator Tuberville. Thank you. I got one more question, Mr.
Chairman. Can I?
Chairman Moran. Yes.
Senator Tuberville. Ms. Howell, do you see adaptive sports
as a form of alternative care to keep veterans away from over
prescription drugs, over prescribing?
Ms. Howell. Yes, sir. I would agree with that. We have, I
think on my desktop, I have like 14 pages of quotes from PVA
members talking about how the first time they went to the
wheelchair games, they fought it, they fought it, they just
wanted to sit at home and be left alone. And the introduction
through rec therapists in the VA in adaptive sports is the
thing that got them back into the light, if you will.
We have countless accounts of veterans who, with engaging
in adaptive sports, they no longer have active suicidal
ideation. They have decreased their dependence on mental health
pharmaceuticals. They also end up building a community. Like if
you have no purpose, if you have no sense of belonging, what
are you doing?
And so adaptive sports is like the very basic that we could
offer to veterans who are struggling because it seems to
overwhelmingly reintegrate them to not only their veteran
community, but their broader community at home. I think it's a
critical piece of the veteran puzzle.
Senator Tuberville. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Moran. Senator Hassan.
HON. MARGARET WOOD HASSAN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE
Senator Hasan. Well, thanks Mr. Chairman. I want to thank
you and the Ranking Member for this hearing. And more
importantly, I'd really like to thank all of our witnesses for
your testimony, for your service, not only in the military, but
your continuing service for doing what you're doing, including
doing what you're doing right here today. So, thank you.
I also just want to thank the Chairman for focusing on this
important issue. Being injured, having a disability or facing
an illness are not just events or circumstances that mean we
can no longer fully engage with life and society. And one of
the things that I think is really important is for us to stop
thinking about people with disabilities as somebody who gets
stabilized and can live inside a house and isn't in a crisis
but is isolated. And it's really clear from the testimony we've
had today, that there really is a vital role for sports,
recreation, and competition in helping our veterans and in
helping people with disabilities generally build complete
lives.
So, I want to start with a question to you, Ms. Howell.
Your testimony briefly touched on outdoor recreation, in
particular. Paralyzed Veterans of America offers outdoor
experiences throughout the year that can help veterans not only
engage with physical activity but also gain confidence and
enhance their physical and mental health.
For veterans who for years of their lives may have spent
time training and working outdoors, reengaging with life in the
wilderness after an injury or illness can have a really
profound impact, especially when done in a way that helps
rebuild the sense of community. Something you've all talked
about.
This is something that the University of New Hampshire and
the Northeast Passage Program at UNH are experts in. They've
received VA Adaptive Sports Grant Program funding, and they
continue to provide opportunities for veterans and others with
disabilities to engage with the community and find fulfillment
through sports and recreation, including outdoor recreation.
I've met with Granite State veterans. I've actually paddled
with Granite State veterans who've taken part in these
activities and they've told me how important it was to them.
So, Ms. Howell, can you discuss how adaptive outdoor recreation
opportunities can support our veterans and how Congress and the
VA can work together to increase these opportunities?
Ms. Howell. Thank you for the question, ma'am. I'm going to
follow up with your staffer to get that contact information for
that program. It sounds remarkable. I think in my written
testimony, as you mentioned, I said that building confidence in
the outdoors is a critical piece of the puzzle. It's great that
we can get veterans to adaptive pickleball or the wheelchair
games or something else, but what about that downtime in
between the five major events?
If we can facilitate a veteran being confident out in the
outdoors especially if you're in a rural area, if we can get
you the appropriate adaptive device, the appropriate wheels for
your wheelchair, tires, tread width, all of this stuff is
things or things that we all think about. Then we allow a
veteran to be able to be engaged in a way and to be mentally
active and physically active outside of that structure.
And I've heard from a lot of members that there is an
anxiety and a hesitancy about engaging in the world around them
without sort of like a battle buddy or without the people that
you're playing sports with.
It's great to have comfort in the arena, but then how do
you have the comfort in the park down the street? And I think
that's the objective of our new outdoor program is let's make
sure that these veterans are empowered to know their limits, to
know how their equipment works and how do you adapt to certain
situations. So, I think that's really what we're trying to take
away is to fill those gaps that you mentioned.
Senator Hasan. Well, I know the folks at Northeast Passage
would love to talk to you. One of the things they do is you can
show up at Northeast Passage and you can get a loaner piece of
equipment and see how it works for you. And that cuts through
the red tape a lot, cuts down barriers and allows you to have a
proof point as you might be then going for funding for
something.
I also just wanted to follow up with you, Ms. Howell, on
access to adaptive sports for rural veterans. It's something
you've all talked about. For veterans who live in rural areas
like so many in New Hampshire do, they have to have the same
opportunities as people who live in major metropolitan areas.
Can you tell us a bit about the challenges that rural
veterans face with regard to adaptive sports and recreation and
how your organization works to fill in those gaps? And I
certainly recognize the challenge of transportation. If you
don't have a car that is adapted or a van, you're stuck.
Ms. Howell. Absolutely. And I think I'll just reiterate
what Ellie shared earlier, that at her VA, there may not be a
rec therapist or no one knows how to connect those dots. And
you add the complexities of just living in a rural area. Now,
let's throw in an inaccessible community because you may not
have curb cuts. You may have choppy sidewalks if you have
sidewalks at all.
I used to live off of a highway. I understand that. But
local communities need to be safe enough for people of all
ability levels and all mobility levels. And I think that that's
something that can be addressed locally. Making sure that
people with disabilities are engaging with their city councils,
making sure that people understand like one bus route is still
better than no bus route. But that bus needs to be accessible.
And I think really for rural veterans, at least from my
standpoint, I think the transportation is the most critical
piece. Because if you can't get from your home to the outdoors
or to the facility, that's like the first step. And if you need
a ramp to even leave your house. It's all these ancillary
things. Adaptive sports doesn't exist in a vacuum.
Senator Hassan. And then you need to clear the snow off the
ramp which is something I'm too familiar with. My time has run
out. So, I didn't get a chance to talk with Mr. George and Ms.
Smith. I thank you all so much for your testimony. And I would
look forward to continuing to work with you as you talked about
the challenges with accessible hotel rooms.
I have shown up to find the lip in the so-called accessible
shower two inches high, which may as well be a foot. So, thanks
so much. I look forward to continuing working with you.
Chairman Moran. Senator King.
HON. ANGUS S. KING, JR.,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MAINE
Senator King. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to get rid
of the word adaptive. These are sports. Mr. George, I used to
do archery. I suspect you're a lot better than me. And so let's
just talk about sports. And it's so important for so many
veterans, but particularly those who have been injured and have
some disability. It seems to me we already have a network in
the country [repositions microphone]--sorry.
It seems to me we already have a network in the country
ready-made to be a hub and that is our CBOCs, which are located
in Maine. We have, I think, five or six. We have our VA
hospital, but that's a local. That could be a hub with
information. Often what veterans lack in my experience, is
information about what's available. And that could be part of
the therapy. Mr. George, one quick question. We spend a lot of
time worrying about veteran suicide. As you know, it's a
terrible problem. It seems to me that sports are an avenue to
combat that. Is that correct?
Mr. George. I one hundred percent agree with that
statement. Yes, sir.
Senator King. I think that's something important that it--
this isn't just a feel good. This is helping purpose, veterans
to survive. One thing about transportation, the DAV does a lot
of transportation to and from veterans' hospitals and those
kinds of things. Is this something we could engage them in? Or
are they already engaged? They have a transportation network in
both states. Is that something we should be thinking about?
Ms. Howell. Not to speak on behalf of DAV but it is my
understanding that due to the nature of the grants that were
awarded to make those vehicles available to people, I think
they're required to just go to and from the VA. I don't know
that for sure.
Senator King. But let's fix that. We're in the business of
fixing things.
Ms. Howell. Also, very few of them are accessible. So, if
anyone is a wheelchair athlete--I mean, most of them are like
SUVs that----
Senator King. Well, I think we need to be thinking
creatively about all the possible avenues. And one of the
things that worries me and I think it's come out here today, is
that there seem to be grants and facilities available to
athletes who are at a pretty high level. And I'm worried about
the veterans who may not be at that level but for whom these
programs would be very useful. Mr. George, you're nodding, how
do we make this more widespread?
Mr. George. Like you said, there are more stipends and
stuff for those that want to compete at elite levels and but
even still it requires you to reach a certain goal, a certain
level, whatever particular sport you're playing and competing
in. But for those that are doing local level stuff, there is no
grants there.
There's nobody there lowering the cost for you to sign up
for local pickleball tournaments or local sports tournaments.
So, we depend heavily on other VSOs, like Wounded Warrior
Project, Semper Fi Fund, and other things like that, that they
help out. That's why MACS--what we do, once we talk and have
the six-week clinic with our veterans, we try to create
community tournaments. So, it could give you that opportunity
to get that sense of it without having to go pay someone. I
mean----
Senator King. You don't have to be in an elite level?
Mr. George. Correct. We create those opportunities for
lower level or amateur level sports events for everybody to
compete in. And if I must say one more thing, you said that if
you could, you would get rid of the word adaptive. I disagree
there. Only because yes, it's still a sport, but a lot of
things that we deal with are issues with accessibility. And
just because we say it's a sport going on there, if I pull up
with a lot of people, my veterans, and they're in wheelchairs,
a lot of places will say, ``Well, we don't want those chairs on
our courts because you're going to tear up our surface,'' or
``We don't have space for that. We don't build to accommodate
you.''
So, that adapters let us know that, okay, we're accepted
there.
Senator King. So, that's a reason to maintain that, that
nomenclature?
Mr. George. Yes, sir.
Senator King. I appreciate that. There are a number of
pieces of legislation. Thank you for your recommendations. The
Veterans SPORT Act, Prosthetics Advancement, the ASSIST Act,
Autonomy for Disabled Veterans, Senator Cortez Masto. So, I
take it, these are all things that we can and should be
addressing. Is that correct?
Ms. Howell. Yes, sir.
Senator King. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Moran. Thank you, Senator King. Senator Hirono.
HON. MAZIE K. HIRONO,
U.S. SENATOR FROM HAWAII
Senator Hirono. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you so
much to the witnesses, because your testimony is very
enlightening, to say the least. And so you live it. And so
you're here to tell us what can be done. It does occur to me
though that the access to the rec programs and the para sports
programs have a lot more benefit to the 1 percent or so of the
veterans that I understand participate in these programs.
So, we know the studies have shown that veterans who engage
in sports and maintain a regular exercise routine tend to
experience enhanced self-esteem, diminished levels of
depression and anxiety, and lower stress levels. And we talk
about the suicidal ideation, et cetera. So, access to these
kinds of programs have much more of a whole veteran kind of a
support that is provided. Is that an accurate way of thinking
about these programs?
Mr. George. Yes, absolutely.
Senator Hirono. Okay. So, then I'm thinking that maybe it
would be a good thing if support for rec therapy and adaptive
sports programs can be part of the core mission of the VA.
Because what I'm hearing from your testimony is things are
catch-as-catch-can, depending on what state you live in, there
may be access to these kinds of programs. But as Ms. Smith
mentioned that you now live in where? Kansas? Well, anyway,
some of these programs are not available. Catch-as-catch-can,
you're trying to figure things out. It's not easy. So, what if
these kinds of--what do we call--rec therapies that as Ms.
Howell says transform lives can be part of the core mission so
that all of the various bills that we have can be incorporated
into what can be a core mission of the VA, which is a way to
provide a whole veteran kind of support system. What do you
think for all of the people testifying?
Ms. Smith. I think you hit it right, the nail right on the
head. I think that the VA does a great job. We have this
wonderful move program. It's very evident that we want veterans
to be up and moving and be active, but we're so quick to say,
``here's a tablet and a scale. We're going to send it to you in
the mail, send us your weight every day.'' You can meet with
the dietician, you can do all these things, but it's going to
be in a group setting, and you don't really get to ask
questions.
But we're not telling veterans how to get healthy. And you
would think living in New York, that we would have a lot of
different places to go, but there's not in rural New York, when
you live toward Western New York, there's not a whole lot for
us to do out there.
But if we look at it, and I think you just put it the best
way, the VA has to look at us as whole individuals. We're not
just tackling the fight on health, but you guys are tackling
the mental health too. And the best way to connect those is to
get people moving, get people active. Let them build community.
Let them feel that they have a purpose again. And the best way
is to get them moving. Let them make friends. Let us have these
experiences that are proven time and time again to save lives.
Senator Hirono. Do you agree, Mr. George, Ms. Howell?
Ms. Howell. Yes, ma'am. I would agree completely. And I
think it's important that we remember that adaptive sports are
not only leading to improved mental health, community and
everything else, but it's actually having a positive impact on
clinical outcomes as well.
A veteran who is engaged in adaptive sports over years and
years and years, their cardiovascular strength is going to
improve, their body's going to perform better, and they are
going to then need less medical support on the other side of
the ledger when it comes to care and access. So, the
ramifications and the positive impact of adaptive sports are
literally endless.
Senator Hirono. I get it. So, I think that the three of you
have very much convinced me that that access to these kinds of
programs should be part of the VA's core mission, so that there
is an acknowledgement and a recognition of how important these
kinds of programs are and access to these programs are for the
whole person, not just if you're going to be a Paralympic
athlete. As a veteran, that's just a very small group of really
fit veterans, I guess.
But I'm thinking about the entire veteran cohort community,
which is millions and millions of veterans. And we spent a lot
of time on this Committee focusing on things like the mental
health of veterans, the drugs that they have access to. And too
many of them take too many drugs, that suicide ideations. And
if we can help them through a program like this in a much more
systematic way, which is not what I'm getting is what's
happening, that I think we can make progress in all of these
areas. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Moran. Senator Hirono, thank you.
Senator King. Mr. Chairman, before you go forward----
Chairman Moran. Senator King.
Senator King. I think this points up in what you just said,
Ms. Howell is so important. Our healthcare system generally,
the VA and everywhere is oriented toward sickness. In other
words, we treat you when you're sick. What this program
demonstrate is the benefits of actively working with people in
order to enable them to keep healthy.
And, and I think that that's important. And this is the, I
agree with Senator Hirono, this should be a basic part. And for
those who are worried about budgets, I suspect in the long run,
these programs would save the VA money because the veterans
would be healthier and happier if these programs were expanded.
So, thank you very much. This is an important hearing, Mr.
Chairman.
Chairman Moran. I'm of the same view, Senator King. This is
another good hearing for us. Let me, before we ask you to allow
the second panel to take your places, is there anything that
you'd like to having--we have heard your testimony, you've
heard our questions, we've heard your responses. Something that
anybody would like to add for our knowledge and for the record
of this hearing before we turn to the second panel? Everybody
satisfied with what you said? I'm never in that position.
Satisfied with what I said. Well, thank you very much--yes,
ma'am, Ms. Smith.
Ms. Smith. If I could, I just would like to thank you all
because I know you all have our best, as a veteran, I know you
guys have our best intentions with you. And I would like to
just thank you for allowing us this platform to share our
stories, because I think the more people that hear your story,
the more people you reach, the more people they can tell your
story to, and that's how we make a difference. So, thank you so
much for your time here today.
Senator King. You've made a real impression here today.
Chairman Moran. That's well said. It is a great impression,
and it does give us the opportunity to tell a story. And in
addition to that, hopefully, make a difference as we deal with
the Department of Veterans Affairs and with legislation that
might be helpful. Thank you all. Yes, Mr. George.
Mr. George. Last day. I promise I'll be done. When you all
are ready, I'll be glad to meet you all on the pickleball
courts and bring you all out. It would be the best experience
of your life. I could bring the whole Senate out there. We have
you.
Chairman Moran. There is a group of Senators who play
pickleball. I won't tell you the places because I don't think
they want any videos. Thank you all very much. I appreciate
your testimony and value very much your service to our country
and your care and concern for other veterans. Wait, one second.
Senator Banks, you have questions for this panel?
Senator Banks. I do, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Moran. Senator Banks.
HON. JIM BANKS,
U.S. SENATOR FROM INDIANA
Senator Banks. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ms. Howell, your
written statement quotes PVA's past President testifying to
this Committee in 1975. He was lamenting how service-disabled
veterans used to be cast aside or institutionalized. We have
come a long way since 1975. What is the VA doing well today,
and how are some veterans still falling through the cracks?
Ms. Howell. Thank you for the question, sir. It's a great
quote. We found it for a House hearing, and it was just so
apropos. It's amazing that in the late seventies we were
talking about the need for rec therapists and how engaging a
disabled veteran with movement and recreation. He used some
pretty strong language in his quote, but it leads them to
purpose, ultimately.
I spoke with my sports and rec team before the hearing and
some things they're doing right. The grant program right now is
running very efficiently. They said that the past year and a
half, two years, the staff have been super engaged. Anytime
they have a question or need clarification, the VA responds in
a very timely manner. So, shout-out to everyone working at the
VA Adaptive Sports Grant Program.
As far as veterans falling through the cracks, it's hard to
say. We ask the same question when it comes to healthcare
delivery, benefits delivery, everything else in between. We're
never going to capture all veterans, and I think we do a
disservice when we expect VA to catch a hundred percent of
everybody for all things. The testimony shared earlier talk
about the struggles in rural areas, whether or not you only
have a CBOC, does the CBOC have the resources to employ a rec
therapist?
I mean the community and organizations like PVA and my
other counterpart here, they try and fill the gap when VA isn't
there to provide these opportunities, but there's going to be
regions where we can't catch them. And so it's increasing
awareness, increasing messaging into the Chairman's point
earlier, the marketing. How do we make sure that the world
knows about these things? And I think it's going to take a
community-wide effort to make sure that fewer vets fall through
the cracks.
Senator Banks. Good. One thing I noticed a quote from your
past President that I really liked he said, ``You must prod the
VA to take action and begin an active and effective program of
recreation.'' It's a privilege for me to serve on this
Committee as a veteran myself. And I consider it a
responsibility of mine to prod the VA do the right thing from
time to time. Can you give us advice on how we need to prod the
VA today?
Ms. Howell. I think maybe beyond prodding. I think as long
as we make sure that VA is being thoughtful, particularly in
light of the reorganization coming up, making sure that things
like prosthetics are in the center of the discussion.
Prosthetics touches every aspect of every veteran's life. It
goes well beyond adaptive sports. And I think, from facility to
facility, things are different when it comes to the delivery of
prosthetics. So, if we're going to prod VA, using that
language, we need to make sure that they are focused on
departments like prosthetics to make sure that delivery is
equitable across the system.
We can't have these massive gaps. We can't have experienced
time delays, like my counterparts discussed earlier. If you
order something from the VA it should arrive within a timely
manner. Because I have the opportunity, one thing I will flag
is that we have heard from veteran members that it's great they
got a piece of adaptive fitness equipment delivered to their
home from the VA.
Everything's going great, but it's dropped on a pallet in
their driveway. And I mean, that's not something you can really
just call a task rabbit for. So, how do we get, it's sort of
like that last mile. How do we get a super heavy piece of
adaptive fitness equipment into the home so that a veteran can
actually use it? So, I think that is one piece of the puzzle
that is yet to be figured out.
Senator Banks. Mr. George, it was great to meet you earlier
today. I wanted to wait and ask you--the whole country is
watching this hearing. You're under oath. Will you agree to be
my partner in the upcoming Senate pickleball tournament?
Mr. George. Can I see you play first?
[Laughter.]
Senator Banks. Fair enough. Listen Mr. George, you're a
champion athlete today, but it took a lot of hard work to get
to where you are. Can you tell us more about how competing in
sports helped your recovery in the beginning? And tell us that
story, how it affects your health and well-being today? Because
I know there are a lot of others out there just like you.
Mr. George. Just me personally, just having that thought of
the competition or just competing give me purpose, give you
something to do. The rehearsing, the practicing, the training
that relives the purpose--mentally, physically, and showing me
that the moments when I'm sitting at home crunching in pain
from having these nerve spasms constantly, the muscle spasms,
whether it be weather, AC, whatever's going on--when I can get
back on the court or when I'm doing something, I'm getting
something else to focus on.
Now I'm looking forward to, not even just a match, I'm
looking forward to that--I'm showing up because I don't see my
competition as I'm facing that battle against the person I'm
seeing. I'm winning for everybody that's watching me. I'm
seeing that everything that I've come against that I'm here for
this day now. Whether I'm winning or losing, this is another
win because I'm here today.
I was pronounced dead many years ago. I was told I wasn't
supposed to be alive. I wasn't supposed to walk. I have spinal
cord injuries. I'm doing well beyond what I'm told I'm supposed
to do. So, every time I reach my limit or find something else
that I'm able to do, then I'm like, ``if I can do this,'' I'm
showing somebody else, ``you could probably do it too.''
But at the same time, watch what you do, because, hey, you
might get addicted to this, it is going to cost you everything,
and you don't have the financial support behind you. So, don't
tell everybody, ``Hey, yes, I'm getting sponsored. I have all
the support.'' I try to show my true story and let them know
this is hard.
It takes every day. It takes me being away from my daughter
a whole lot. It takes me being away from my family so that I
can show up and be here and be present. But if I don't do it,
who's going to do it?
Senator Banks. You're an inspiration and a hero. Thank you
for your service. Thank you for your time. I yield back.
Chairman Moran. I almost allowed you the opportunity to
depart from the witness table. We've now been joined by Senator
Blackburn. Senator Blackburn.
HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE
Senator Blackburn. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I am so
pleased that we are doing this before the '26 Paralympic Games,
and I thank you for doing that. I think that our athletes, we
want them to compete well. We want them to represent themselves
and our country well. And I think that it's important that we
look at that service and recognize that service in the recovery
that is there and the opportunity, just as you were speaking
to, to actually achieve and to succeed.
So, we thank you for that. And I think that the Chairman's
leadership, we've got the Veterans Prosthetics Advancement and
Reform Act, the ASSIST Act. These are all things that we can do
to honor the service that you have given and to make certain
that we are, we're supporting your efforts.
Ms. Howell, I wanted to come to you, if I may, I would like
to know, as we're looking at different things and some VA
reforms and Secretary Collins is doing a great job, but when
you look at communication between the VA clinicians, the
recreational therapists, the grant-funded community
organizations where veterans are transitioning into community-
based adaptive sports programs. So, how effective is that
communication? So, you get that continuum of care and it's also
a continuum of opportunity?
Ms. Howell. Yes, ma'am. I agree wholeheartedly, although I
think other witnesses might be able to better speak to that.
I've never participated in an adaptive sport myself. And
therefore, I don't know how it works being transferred from the
VA to a community group. So, I would defer to the other experts
here on the panel.
Senator Blackburn. All right. Mr. George.
Mr. George. Thank you. I've been fortunate to have a great
experience when it comes to transferring from my doctors and my
health and doing it. But I say I speak highly, again, my rec
therapist is Katie Blanc [sp.] from the Northeast Florida,
Southeast Georgia VA had a major role in my therapeutic
recovery. She was there anytime I had questions about what's
going on, what sports. She's there putting together a calendar
throughout the whole month, providing events for us.
She told me about the sports comp--the Summer Sports
Clinic, the Winter Sports Clinic--invited me out there. And she
was someone that said, as long as I'm willing to show up,
she'll keep supporting. I have her, but not everybody has her.
All other veterans don't have a great rec therapist that's
willing to go above and beyond like that.
And that's one of the issues I see facing with me and my
organization when it comes to finding other rec therapists or
finding other veterans in underserved communities. Because if
there's no rec therapist there, there's nobody to communicate.
So, then we end up showing up, trying to spend funds to find
and advocate for others to bring them here for the program. And
then when we leave, who's going to maintain it for us?
So, the worst thing I'd like to do, worst thing I hate
doing, is showing up, giving an awesome clinic to somebody,
sparking a fire, then leaving with no resource. So, without
that relationship with a rec therapist or the communication
with the people who don't know what a rec therapist is, that's
going to make it hard to keep communicating and for the people
to funnel in.
And a lot of it comes from word of mouth. Once we find that
somebody, all the veterans share with other veterans, and we
are going to tell you ``this is who's going to come.'' Then we
kind of overwork the therapist because then we help her do a
job, but we overwork her because we're providing her with more
people. But that's where I say the biggest thing is.
Senator Blackburn. Would you say that half the veterans,
what percentage of veterans that you come into contact with
have access to that continuum?
Mr. George. It's hard to put a percentage on it because I
cover such a national level, but it's, it's usually those areas
where the rural areas that you don't have----
Senator Blackburn. Ms. Smith.
Ms. Smith. Yes, ma'am. So, I'm kind of in one of the rural
areas that they talk about where I am in Western New York. And
for me, I mean, I went from competing at the Wounded Warrior
Games with Navy Wounded Warrior, and I was still active duty
and just entering retirement at that process. And they
implemented where you can now only do two Warrior games which
is very understandable. There are far more people than they can
have who are eligible to be part of that. But there was no
continuum for me when I went and addressed the VA with ``how
can I stay active? I can't do this program anymore.''
I'm being told that ``we have this,'' and I was being told,
``we do, but that's not going to serve you well because you're
not training to compete on a huge level. You're not training
and/or it's going to take so long for you to get an
appointment. You're not going to be satisfied. Just look
elsewhere.'' So, I think the major break----
Senator Blackburn. Let me ask you this, would it be helpful
if there were community organizations that could be brought
into the process like we're doing with community care where
veterans can go into medical care in their communities without
having to travel to the VA. If there are nonprofits and
organizations we could activate into a network, would that be
helpful?
Ms. Smith. Yes, ma'am. But I think in the same way as it
says helpful, as it's also not helpful because in the rural
areas, we don't have a lot of community places.
I mean, I'm very fortunate there's a local nonprofit that
I, that gets a VA grant, and I'm able to do horsemanship and
horse riding through with them. But in the same way, our
community doesn't have those spaces available. So, it would be
super helpful, but we're still going to be driving an hour and
a half, two hours. Like we were going to go to one of the major
VAs in our area to get that care----
Senator Blackburn. Okay.
Ms. Smith. So, I think it's helpful, but I think that
everything comes at a price. So, if we can work with the----
Senator Blackburn. Well, your service and sacrifice is a
prize, and we are grateful for that. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
Chairman Moran. Now, we are saddened by your departure, but
we're going to ask you to depart [laughter]. Thank you for your
testimony. Thank you for your service. Thanks for your example.
And I'll call to the table our second panel, which consists of
Dr. Rachel McArdle, a Deputy Executive Director for the Office
of Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services at the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Doctor, thank you for your presence and you are now
recognized for testimony.
PANEL II
----------
STATEMENT OF RACHEL MCARDLE, PHD, DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
REHABILITATION AND PROSTHETICS SERVICE, VETERANS HEALTH
ADMINISTRATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Dr. McArdle. Good afternoon, Chairman Moran, Ranking Member
Blumenthal, and Members of the Committee. Thank you for the
opportunity to speak with you today about VA's Adaptive Sports
Program, and to share our views on four bills under
consideration.
VA's Adaptive Sports Program is a vital part of
rehabilitation for veterans with disabilities. As you got to
hear firsthand from some of the stories earlier, these programs
are clinically integrated and help veterans regain
independence, improve physical and mental health, and reconnect
with their communities. Through adaptive sports, veterans build
strength, confidence, and resilience while reducing isolation
and rediscovering purpose.
Each year, VA hosts six national rehab events, the National
Veterans Wheelchair Games, which VA co-presents with the
Paralyzed Veterans of America, the National Disabled Veterans
Winter Sports Clinic, and the National Disabled Veterans Golf
Clinic, which the VA co-presents with DAV--Disabled American
Veterans, National Veterans Creative Arts Competition and
Festival in collaboration with the American Legion Auxiliary,
the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic, and our largest
event, the National Veterans Golden Age Games.
These national rehab events provide opportunities for
veterans with spinal cord injuries, limb loss, vision loss,
traumatic brain injury, and many other conditions. This past
July, we were honored to host staff from this Committee at the
National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Beyond national events, VA
manages an Adaptive Sports and Equine-Assisted Therapy Grants
Program to support the physical and mental health of veterans
with disabilities.
Grants are awarded to experienced non-governmental
organizations helping veterans and active-duty service members
apply skills learned in a clinical setting in their local
communities. Last year, the program served over 20,000 veterans
through 16 million in grants, offering more than 60 plus
different types of activities. VA also manages the Veterans
Monthly Assistance Allowance program, which provides a stipend
to veterans with disabilities who are training and competing at
the elite level of Paralympic or Olympic Sports. Stipend
recipients exemplify how adaptive sports empower veterans to
pursue excellence and represent our Nation on the global stage.
In addition, this year, the global stage includes Milano
Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics, where six veterans currently
receiving VA stipends have been confirmed to compete. A
remarkable testament to resilience in the power of adaptive
sports. Now, I'll turn briefly to the legislation before the
Committee noting that our full views are detailed in my written
statement.
S. 1644, Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act. VA supports
the intent of this bill subject to amendments. It would update
the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations program to
reflect current costs and ensure veterans receive medically
necessary home modifications.
VA agrees with the goal of increasing flexibility and
adjusting limits based on industry costs, but recommends
technical edits to clarify eligibility and implementation. VA
also supports the proposed annual index adjustment and believes
the recommended amount for future applicants aligns with
average costs for common modifications such as bathroom
renovations.
S. 1726, ASSIST Act of 2025. VA supports the intent of this
bill subject to amendment. It would broaden VA's authority to
provide any medically necessary automobile adaptations for
drivers and passengers; improving safe transportation for
veterans with disabilities. VA suggests adding authority to
limit use of these benefits to once every five years or
extenuating circumstances.
S. 2981, Veterans Prosthetic Advancement and Reform Act. VA
supports the intent of this bill, but has concerns.
Establishing a national prosthetic formulary would require
substantial resources, including numerous dedicated personnel
in a fully integrated clinical ordering system. Without such
integration, providers would face delays and inefficiencies. VA
also seeks clarification on whether the bill intends to include
items covered under other authorities, to avoid duplication and
confusion. VA welcomes the opportunity to discuss how best to
address ensuring the formulary improves access without
unintended consequences.
S. 3138, Veterans SPORTS Act. VA supports this bill subject
to amendment. VA already provides adaptive prostheses and
terminal recreation equipment under current regulations, and is
concerned that the bill's language could create confusion or
litigation by implying new benefits.
VA recommends adding a rule of construction to clarify that
the bill does not alter any existing benefits. VA stands ready
to work with the Committee to ensure alignment and avoid
unintended disruption to current practices.
In closing, VA remains committed to expanding adaptive
sports opportunities and working with Congress to strengthen
these programs. Thank you for recognizing the transformative
power of adaptive sports and I look forward to your questions.
[The prepared statement of Dr. McArdle appears on pages 48-
60 of the Appendix.]
Chairman Moran. The Committee looks forward to working with
you, Doctor, and with the Department of Veterans Affairs to
find solutions to suggested challenges or problems and to move
forward with a legislative agenda related to these topics. I
think my only question for you today is what you, perhaps the
broad question is something you heard from our witnesses that
you'd like to respond to or in particular I'd ask again, the--
how do we overcome this issue of rural and small towns and
where people live?
Dr. McArdle. Thank you for this opportunity, Chairman. I
did gain a lot from listening to the first panel, and I will
tell you it's not the first time I've heard it. I regularly
attend our national rehab events as well as talk to other
grantees that we have. One of the reasons I do this is to be
able to hear from them what is going on at their VA facilities.
And so, one of the things we have done over this last year
is to create a mentor and mentee program. So, we take their
feedback to be able to spread the experience of--we have
programs across as Gabe was mentioning. His experience has been
fantastic. And then we heard Ellie sort of share a different
experience.
We want to be able to share the information across the VA
and train up those sites, whether they be rural or urban, and
to bolster the adaptive sports programming throughout the
enterprise. Some of the other things, we do have grants that
range from the smallest, just under $4,000 up to as high as
$750,000. So, for anyone watching, when our notice of funding
opportunities post, that grants can be applied for by all
levels of different organizations, whether they're in small
rural communities or in large urban communities.
Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. Thank you for being here.
Dr. McArdle as you're aware, thousands of contracts were
canceled as a result of the DOGE program. They were terminated
for convenience, a method that DOGE commonly used to cause the
VA to cut important contracts. I understand that at least three
of those contracts were for adaptive vehicles. Is that correct?
Dr. McArdle. Thank you, Ranking Member Blumenthal. I am
unaware of three cancellations of contracts on adaptive
vehicles.
Senator Blumenthal. Are you aware--well could you find out
for us and report back?
Dr. McArdle. My apology. Definitely, I will take that for
the record.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
VA Response: VHA reviewed all three contract files. These purchase
orders were for vehicle adaptation (two) and for home modification
(one) for two specific Veterans. The orders were cancelled due to
normal business procedures and were not cancelled as part of reviews of
contract spending.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senator Blumenthal. And are you aware of other contracts
for services that were canceled as a result of the DOGE
involvement?
Dr. McArdle. In my office, we have over 80-plus national
contracts. For DOGE specifically, we had no contracts canceled
by DOGE.
Senator Blumenthal. For any other services that come within
your----
Dr. McArdle. No, we had no--I'm sorry. We had no contracts
canceled within Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services.
Senator Blumenthal. Did you lose staff as a result of the
cuts in workforce?
Dr. McArdle. I don't know of any staffing cuts in
rehabilitation programs. The Department has seen some natural
attrition, but to my knowledge, there has been no negative
impacts on the Adaptive Sports Program.
Senator Blumenthal. Well, that's good to hear. Summit
Adaptive Sports is a Connecticut based organization. I don't
know whether you're aware of them. They put out adaptive
sporting events for veterans. They've reached out to the New
Haven VA clinic to recruit veterans. Apparently, they're having
difficulty reaching people there. Could you intervene to help
them with that activity?
Dr. McArdle. We would love to follow up with your office to
get the specifics and happy to reach out.
Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. I appreciate your being here
today and all your great work. Thank you.
Dr. McArdle. Thank you.
Chairman Moran. Senator King.
Senator King. Thank you very much for joining us and for
the work that you're doing. Is it routine to notify a disabled
veteran who's in touch with the agency of the availability of
these kinds of programs? In other words, is there some
automatic form or notification? I'm concerned that we have
these good programs but a lot of veterans don't know about
them.
Dr. McArdle. Thank you, Senator. Are you specifically
speaking of the six national rehab events or adaptive sports
that go on at the local----
Senator King. Adaptive sports, generally.
Dr. McArdle. It probably is variable, but there are a lot.
We have websites, we try and get the word out. I would agree
that with the marketing piece, we are currently working on an
opportunity that would allow--it's a sort of a navigational
resource app that would allow veterans to be able to easily
find opportunities in their communities. It's still in its
infancy stages.
We do regularly speak with our rec therapists, so it would
be them getting out the information. We also do collaborate
with our VSO partners to get the word out for what we have
going on. They often are forced multipliers for us to be able
to get the communication out.
Senator King. Well, I appreciate that. I would think that
would deserve some real attention to think about the marketing.
The good news, you mentioned in your testimony, you have 20,000
veterans participating. The bad news is there are 9 million
veterans that are enrolled with the VA. So, there's plenty of
room where I think there are people who could take advantage of
these programs who basically just don't know they exist or what
steps they might take to avail themselves with this
opportunity.
So, I see this as really a part and parcel of the
healthcare provision of the VA. We talked with the previous
panel about mental health and just the general health benefits
of these programs. So, I would hope you might work with your
health counterparts and just try to really multiply the
outreach to the veterans community, particularly the disabled
veterans community.
Dr. McArdle. Absolutely, Senator. One other thing I did
forget to mention is, as part of the grants program, there is
an outreach component to it. So, the grants that we award, part
of their responsibility is to provide outreach. So, that is why
we do have a good success rate in terms of getting a lot of
veterans who are participating with the grants that we're
funding.
Senator King. I would hope that there would be just a
routine check mark--disabled veteran enrolls for care at local
veterans' hospital. Have they been informed of adaptive sports
opportunities that would--I think that would go a long way,
just as a sort of almost part of the intake, if you see what I
mean.
Dr. McArdle. Thank you, Senator King. I'll take that for
the record.
Senator King. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
VA Response: VA is committed to increasing our outreach for adaptive
sports opportunities offered through VA facilities and through
community partners. Rehabilitation providers serve as resources to
connect Veterans to local, regional, and national adaptive sport
opportunities both within the VA and in the community to improve
physical function, reduce isolation, and support psychological
recovery. In addition, we conduct outreach through social media, VA
news blogs, and our Adaptive Sports website. Organizations who are
awarded adaptive sports grants through VA are required as part of the
award agreement to complete outreach to Veterans regarding their
programming. We continue to work on new and innovative ways to ensure
that Veterans are made aware of all the opportunities VA has to offer
in the area of adaptive sports.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chairman Moran. Let me thank our Committee staff. I think
we've had another good hearing in our Committee today. Thank my
colleagues for being here and for participating. I, again,
thank our witnesses; you, Dr. McArdle, and those who preceded
you on our first panel. And I appreciate our audience and their
attention as well.
Members of this Committee will have five legislative days
in which to submit questions or statements for the record. Any
Senator who would like to submit a question for the record,
please do so in a timely manner. And I ask the witnesses to
respond to those questions for the record following today's
hearing in a timely manner as well.
Senator King. Mr. Chairman?
Chairman Moran. Senator King.
Senator King. Could I also ask those who are here in the
audience and also those who are on the panel to send us ideas,
to send us thoughts that have been provoked by the hearing
today.
We're in the idea business here. And if there are thoughts
that you can come up with about how to facilitate these
programs more effectively, let us know. Don't assume that we
know everything. That's not a safe assumption.
Chairman Moran. Anyone assumes that, if they do, I'm glad
that Senator King has dissuaded them of that view. Very much
appreciate our hearing today. And with that, our hearing is
adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 5:28 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.]
A P P E N D I X
Prepared Statements
[GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Statements for the Record
[GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
[all]