OPENING STATEMENT

United States Senator Daniel K. Akaka

Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs

"Oversight Hearing on DoD/VA Collaboration and Cooperation to Meet the Health Care Needs of Returning Servicemembers"

Good morning. This is the Committee's second hearing in our series on seamless transition. The focus, today, is on how DOD and VA are working to meet the health care needs of those transitioning from service, especially those who have sustained serious traumas.

There have been many hearings about Walter Reed since the story first broke about conditions there. This is not such a hearing. And yet, at one level, it is. The servicemembers who were staying in Building 18 at Walter Reed were in medical hold, awaiting a decision on their future. Many would soon be separated from the military and become veterans. And that is exactly what we are talking about today - how those leaving the service after being injured make the transition to VA.

With regard to the medical hold process, I realize that DOD must have time to make an informed decision on an injured service member's future. However, as soon as it seems likely that an individual will be unable to return to service, DOD must work with VA to ensure that the servicemember gets the care he or she needs and that the actual transfer is carried out effectively.

There is much talk about seamless transition, but it is far from clear that the talk is matched by effective action. This is not a new issue, but it seems that now more than ever, when the demand is so great, we find that there is more talk than action.

We have entered the fifth year of this war. I cannot help but wonder why so many things are still being planned, still being discussed. Why is it that DoD and VA still can not make the handoff of wounded servicemembers more effectively? Why do budgets still not reflect that caring for veterans is part of the cost of war?

Another key element in easing the transition is making sure that servicemembers and their families have someone at both DOD and VA to whom they can turn, and who has responsibility for making sure that they are getting the care and services they need. The Committee needs to know where DOD and VA stand on this.

I remain resolute: For those seriously injured, the transfer from DOD to VA without undue disruption to the wounded servicemember simply must happen.

We have two panels of witnesses today. The first includes a number of witnesses who, unfortunately, are living every day with the impact of serious traumas. I have asked Dr. Kussman and Ms. Embrey to hear the testimony of the first panel, so that when they come forward, they will be able to address issues raised by the first panel.

In closing, I note that each Senator will be provided summaries from IG and GAO on their respective work on seamless transition, and a copy of these summaries will be in the record of today's hearing. As you will see, many suggestions have been made already to VA and DOD on this issue.

For more information on the hearing, including witnesses' statements and a video webcast of the enitre hearing, visit the committee website at:

http://veterans.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.CurrentHearings&rID=979

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