| 00:00:03 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
JUST UNDER WAY WITH A
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| 00:00:04 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
HEARING LOOKING AT DEPARTMENT OF
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| 00:00:06 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
VETERANS AFFAIRS PURCHASING PRACTICES OF PROSTHETICS WITH SUPPLY COSTS INCREASING 80% OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS. BILL JOHNSON OF OHIO IS THE CHAIR...
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| 00:00:26 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
ENSURE THAT PROSTHETICS PURCHASING ACTS AND LOGISTICIANS EXTEND TO THE MAX MUCH POSSIBLE" I HAVE TO WONDER WHY THEY IGNORE THE REGULATIONS WHEN MAKING...
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| 00:06:29 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
WAS INTRODUCED TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF INJURED SERVICE MEMBERS. WITH THE HIGH NUMBER OF SERVICE MEMBERS WHOSE LIVE WAS ALTERED DUE TO LIMB LOSS...
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| 00:09:05 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
RECORD. AS YOU COME TO THE TABLE, PLEASE. >> YOU ARE NOW RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. AND THANK YOU FOR
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| 00:09:31 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THE INVITATION TO NEFF PROCUREMENT OF PROSTHETIC AND ORTHOTIC CARE FOR OUR VETERANS. MY NAME IS MICHAEL
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| 00:09:37 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
I'M A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN ORTHOTIC AND PROSTHETIC ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND A LICENSED CLINICAL PROSTHETIC, SERVICER OF SERVICES IN STATE...
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| 00:15:38 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAR BEFORE YOU TODAY TO DISCUSS THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN
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| 00:15:43 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
AFFAIRS PROSTHETIC PURCHASING PRACTICES AND IMPACT ON ACADEMY MEDICAL, VA VAPOR PHIED BETTER KNOWN SMALL BUSINESS. MY NAME IS DANIEL SHAW AND I AM...
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| 00:20:43 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
SHAW, WHO IS THE NATIONAL REGULATORY AGENCY FOR BIOLOGICS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY? >> IF I MAY, THE FDA IS NOT A FORMAL REGULATION BODY. IT'S THE AMERICAN...
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| 00:21:01 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
OKAY. COULD YOU BRIEFLY EXPLAIN SOME OF THE CRITERIA THAT, THAT THE ASSOCIATION OF
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| 00:21:08 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
TISSUE BANKS AATB HAS TO ENSURE PATIENT SAFETY? >> YES, SIR. THE AATB MONITORS THAT THERE ARE SAFETY REGULATIONS SUCH AS TESTING FOR
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| 00:21:20 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
EACH DONOR THROUGH A VARIETY OF TESTS, THE CANCER, THE HIV, HEPATITIS, VARIOUS SCREENINGS TO MAKE SURE THAT EACH DONOR IS SAFE TO MOVE ON TO PROCESSING....
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| 00:21:38 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
YOU'RE FROM AND WHO YOU REPRESENT? >> YES, SIR. MY NAME IS STEPHEN SHIRR AND I'M A CONSULTANT WITH ACADEMY MEDICAL. I'M A SUBJECT MATTER EXPECT WIR ...
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| 00:21:49 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
HISTORY IN BIOLOGICS. >> OKAY. >> I'M FROM WELLINGTON, FLORIDA, AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SALES FOR ACADEMY MEDICAL. >> OKAY. THANK
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| 00:21:58 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
YOU. HOW CAN A SURGEON OR VA FACILITY BE ASSURED THAT THE BIOLOGICS THEY PURCHASE ARE INDEED SAFE FOR THE PATIENT? >> ALL BIOLOGIC ECONOMIES THAT ARE...
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| 00:22:01 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:22:04 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:22:16 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:22:30 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:22:39 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:22:53 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:22:55 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
SUPPLY THE DONORS TO THE
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| 00:23:01 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
PROCESSING FACILITIES, AND THEY MOVE ON TO THE BIOLOGIC COMPANIES. >> WHERE EXACTLY DO THESE DONORS OR CADAVERS, WHERE ARE THEY PROCURED FROM? DO...
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| 00:23:14 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
WELL, AS PER THE AATB, THEY ALL COME FROM THE UNITED STATES. >> OKAY. HOW DO THE VARIOUS BIOLOGICS
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| 00:23:22 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
MANUFACTURERS WORK COHESIVELY TOGETHER?
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| 00:23:25 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
DO THEY COMMINGLE? >> THEY CERTAINLY DO. THEY ALL SHARE AND -- IN THE DONOR POOL. >>
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| 00:23:33 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
OKAY. DO THEY SHARE AND SWAP PRODUCTS AND BRANDS? >> ABSOLUTELY. >> OKAY. WITH REGARD TO
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| 00:23:40 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
TRADITIONAL BIOLOGICS, WHAT SPECIAL TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, TOOLING
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| 00:23:45 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
OR TECHNIQUE IS REQUIRED ON
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| 00:23:46 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
BEHALF OF THE SURGE TON USE THE VARIOUS BIOLOGICAL BRANDS? >> TO MY KNOWLEDGE, ALL BIOLOGICS FOP THE SAME TECHNIQUE GUIDES. WITH VERY LITTLE VARIANCE....
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| 00:23:59 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
SUPPLIER? >> CORRECT. >> OKAY. SO TO CLARIFY, YOU'RE STATING THAT THE SURGEON'S ABILITY AND TECHNIQUE TO USE BRAND A OVER BRAND B
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| 00:24:06 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:24:07 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
IS IDENTICAL. NOT ALTERING THE SURGEON'S SKILLS IN ANY WAY AT ALL THAT WOULD JEOPARDIZE THE PATIENT'S SAFETY? >> IT'S PRETTY MUCH HOW IT'S PREPARED...
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| 00:24:24 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
REHYDRATE, MINIMIZE BONE -- IT'S A SMALL DIFFERENCE. >> OKAY. YOU TALK AND FOUR ELEMENTS OF CARE THAT IN YOUR EXPERIENCE COMPRISED QUALITY. UH-HUH....
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| 00:24:39 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THE VA OVERSEE, SUPERVISE AND OTHERWISE HOLD COMMUNITY BASE SURVIVORS ACCOUNTABLE FOR PROVIDING QUALITY CARE TO VETERANS, AND SDHOU THAT
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| 00:24:48 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
COMPARE TO THE WAY IN-HOUSE VA PROSS THET SIFTS ARE EVALUATES? >> CLOSE ENOUGH. FRANKLY, IT'S -- THE SYSTEM THAT GOES BACK TO A CLINIC-BASED SYSTEM,...
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| 00:25:07 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
AREN'T MEASURED OUTCOMES, IF YOU WILL, FROM THE TIME MOST VETERANS BEGIN THEIR CARE. AT LEAST I WOULD SAY MY EXPERIENCE IS SOLELY WITH THE VA SYSTEM....
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| 00:25:56 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
ROUND, BUT AT THIS TIME I'LL YIELD TO MY COLLEAGUE, REPRESENTATIVE DONNELLEY FOR HIS QUESTIONING. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, AND TO ALL OF YOU, THANK...
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| 00:26:09 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:26:38 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:26:40 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
I'M NOT SURE I UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION, SIR. >> OKAY. HAS THAT -- HAVE WE DIDN'T ABLE
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| 00:27:02 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
TO GET THE
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| 00:27:03 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
BEST PRODUCTS THAT THE VETS HAVE NEEDED THROUGH SECTION 8123, OR DO YOU THINK THERE ARE BETTER WAYS? >> I THINK AS WE'VE DISCUSSED, THERE REALLY IS...
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| 00:27:17 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE IN BIOLOGICS AND THE PARTICULAR PRICE WE HAVE ON FEDERAL SUPPLY SCHEDULE, THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE. AND OUR STORY IS THAT WE FEEL...
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| 00:27:44 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
LIMB MADE BY CONTRACTORS IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN IF THE VA MADE IT IN-HOUSE. WHAN DO YOU HAVE THE AVERAGE COST OF A PROSTHETIC LIMB MADE BY CONTRACTORS...
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| 00:28:04 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
KNEE PROSTHESIS, THAT MIGHT RUN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE 8 TO -- >> ON AVERAGE. >> IF THE VA MADE IT. >> I THINK REMARKABLE SIMILAR. IF IS WAS...
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| 00:28:18 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THE REALITY IS THE
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| 00:28:19 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
COMPONENT COSTS ARE, SHOULD BE REMTIVELY
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| 00:28:21 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
SIMILAR FROM OF THE MANUFACTURER TO EITHER THE VA OR THE OUTSIDE CLINICIAN AND THEN IT'S A MATTER OF, THERE ARE INDUSTRY STANDARDS FOR WHAT THE PRACTITIONERS...
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| 00:28:48 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
TWO WEEKS AGO, IG SAID, THEY STEAD WAS ACTUALLY FOOTNOTED IN THE REPORT IT REALLY WASN'T MEANT TO BE ABOUT APPLES TO
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| 00:28:55 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
APPLES COMPARISON, AND I'M GOING TO PAIR FRAISE HERE. IT'S THAT THE VA DIDN'T HAVE REALLY A GOOD ASSESSMENT OF THEIR OWN INTERNAL KOCHTS AND AS SOMEONE...
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| 00:29:26 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
ANY COMPARISON EVEN STAND UP, THEN IF THE NUMBERS ARE NOT THE SAME? >> IN MY MIND, NO. >> OKAY. WOMEN I YIELD BACK AND, AGAIN, THANK YOU
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| 00:29:36 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY AND AS YOU WELL KNOW, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING QUESTION DO
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| 00:29:40 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
IS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY VETERAN IS SERVED PROPERLY. SO THANKS AGAIN FOR WHAT YOU DO. >> I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING BACK AND GO TO OUR COLLEAGUE...
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| 00:29:54 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
TODAY. I JUST HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS. MR.
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| 00:30:00 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
ORACE, ARE THE MEMBERS, ARE THE PEOPLE THAT WORK AT THE VA, ARE THEY MONEYS OF YOUR ASSOCIATION TOO JIE MEAN DO THEY HAVE THE SAME ACCESS TO THE SAME...
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| 00:30:19 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:30:22 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:30:23 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
OUTSIDE THE VA SYSTEM. THROUGH CONTRACTED, INDEPENDENT CONTRACT
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| 00:31:01 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
PROVIDERS. >> ALL RIGHT. WELL, I'M JUST TRYING TO YOU KNOW, VAPOR TIE IF APHI
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| 00:31:09 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THAT THE VA ARE KPROIING COMPARABLE CARE, HIGHEST QUALITY ORTHOTICS AND ALL THAT THE CARE SHOULD BE COMPARABLE. IT'S MORE A MATTER OF WHAT IS, ...
|
| 00:31:44 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THINK THAT IT'S JUST CHARGING? VA THINKS THAT THEY'RE DHARGING
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| 00:31:48 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
TOO MUCH OR ALREADY HAVE THEIR OWN OVERSAID INVOLVE JDS IS THERE A REASONING FOR THAT? >> I GUESS I CAN'T SPEAK FOR WHAT THE VA'S EITHER STATED INTENTION...
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| 00:32:01 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
UNINTENDED STEERING OF PATIENT CARE. >> IN MY DISTRICT I HAVE A VERY RURAL DISTRICT, AND SUPREME TO TRAVEL ALL HOURS TO GET TO THE VA FACILITY. AND
|
| 00:32:13 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
ESPECIALLY THE CONTRACT AN ORTHODONTIST. MIGHT I THINK INCREASED ACCESS TO A LOCAL OR THODIST WOULD BE COMPLETELY EXCELLENT. LET ME ASK MR. SHAW A...
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| 00:32:38 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
ACL TENDONS, SKIN GRAFTS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE. >> FOR NOW WE HAVE A CONTRACTIBILITY, WHERE BEFORE PEOPLE WERE, FOR THE MOST PART, GOING OUT OF...
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| 00:32:51 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
ISSUE HERE? >> YES, SIR. WE HAVE AN SFF CONTRACT AND WERE ONE OF THE FEW VENDORS TOO TOOK THE TIME TO GET AN
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| 00:32:59 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
SFF CONTRACT AND OUR SITUATION IS, AS WE'RE GOING OUT AND MARKETSING OUR CONTRACT WE'RE COMING UP AGAINST THE LEADERSHIP THAT HAS SAID -- THAT IS INVOKING...
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| 00:33:31 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:33:47 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:33:51 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
CONTRACT, VERSUS OUR SMALL 3%. WEP ESTIMATE THAT THE VA SPENDS
|
| 00:34:02 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
ABOUT $175 MILLION ANNUALLY UNTIL BIOLOGICS AND TO BE HONEST, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A VENDOR PUTTING THESE PRODUCTS ON CONTRACT. SO WE'VE KIND OF GONE...
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| 00:34:35 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THINK ---I CAN'T SPEAK FOR MORE EXPECTERS AND WHAT THEIR SITUATIONS ARE, I THINK IF YOU'RE NOT ASKED FOR A DISCOUNT, WHEN SOMEONE
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| 00:34:45 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
IS SWIPING A PURP CARD, THEN THERAPY NOT GOING TO GET ONE. >> HOW MUCH DIFFERENT PROVIDERS ARE THERE OF THESE BIOLOGIC -- >> SIX OR EIGHT. I WOULD...
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| 00:34:58 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
ARE KPRARNL AND THATPROVIDE GOOD, QUALITY PRODUCTS. >> MY QUESTION, THEN, TO THE COMMITTEE, WOULD BE TO SEE IF WE CAN INVESTIGATE THIS A LITTLE FURTHER....
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| 00:35:01 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:35:15 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:35:30 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:35:34 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THIS? >> YES, SIR. >> HELP ME UNDERSTAND HOW YOU WOULD REWRITE 8123 TOLL MAKE SURE WE PRESERVE
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| 00:36:03 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THAT
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| 00:36:04 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
DIRECTORED, MONEY'S NO WHOBT TRYING TO REPLACE A VYING SIGHTS -- WE'RE NOT GOING TO WASTE MONEY. HOW CAN WE CHANGE 812378 TOP CONTINUE THE ATTITUDE WE'RE...
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| 00:36:33 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
ACQUISITION REGULATION DOES A PRETTY NICE JOB, I THINK, NOR APPLICATIONS OF EVEN PROSTHETIC LIMBS. >> DO UP HAVE ANY CONCERNS THAT THE RED TAPE --...
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| 00:36:47 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
IN GOING TO INTERFERE WITH FOLKS GETTING EXACTLY WHAT THEY IMMEDIATE WITH RESPECT TO SOMETHING MUCH MORE OUT OF THE ORDINARY THAN SOMETHING OFF THE ...
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| 00:37:04 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
HE FELT WOULD SPECIFICALLY NEED FOR THAT PARTICULAR PATIENT, THERE'S A WAIVER FORM THAT IS QUITE EASY FOR THEM TO FILL OUT. I THINK MANY CLINICIANS WOULD...
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| 00:37:25 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THAT? >> I THINK -- I THINK WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IS, THERE WOULD BE SEVERAL CONTRACTED VENDORS.
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| 00:37:33 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
MOST LIKELY YOUR MORE REPRESENTABLE MANUFACTURE EVERY, WHAT MOST WOULD USE ON A STRAIGHTFORWARD CASE. AGAIN, IF YOU HAVE A PATIENT THAT NEEDED SOME...
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| 00:37:55 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
IT COMES TO TRADITIONAL PROSTHETIC CARE. I'LL HIGHLIGHT YOUR FIRST CALM WAS
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| 00:38:00 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
TO BLY IS THE DUST FOR THOSE INDIVIDUAL PATIENTS AND THEY'RE REALLY NOT COMMODITY BASED SERVICES. SO TO THAT END I THINK YOU WANT TO ELIMINATE WHATEVER...
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| 00:38:34 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THE COMMITTEE FELT LIKE THEIR
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| 00:38:36 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:38:37 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
NEEDED TO BE AN 8123 AND
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| 00:38:41 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
FELT 8123 WAS NECESSARY, I'D LIMIT TO LIMITED ACCESS AND CERTAINLY ENSURE THAT IT COULD NOT BE DELEGATED DOWN. >> THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN. I ONLY GOT A...
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| 00:38:57 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YEEDING BACK AND WILL SGEE A SECOND ROUND. I DO HAVE A FEW MORE QUESTIONS AND WE'LL SEE IF OUR COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY. YOU TESTED...
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| 00:39:32 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
VA'S NETWORK. YOU'RE RIGHT IT IS UNWIELDY, BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, IT'S THAT OUR INJURED VETERANS MIGHT NOT BE KARAT -- THEY WANT TO GO BACK...
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| 00:40:03 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
ORACE FOR THE VA TO VALUATE THE QUALITY OF CARE WHAT PROVISIONS WOULD BE NUT TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CARE FOR VETERANS RECEIVE? >> I WOULD START TO...
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| 00:40:22 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:40:41 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
I'VE SEEN IT LOCALLY. I MEAN, I THINK THAT'S WHAT I CAN SPEAK DIRECTLY TO, LOCALLY WE NO LONGER HAVE ACCESS, AND IT'S BEEN AT LEAST
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| 00:41:07 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
TWOL YEARS THAT OUR COMPANY, WHILE WE'VE HAD A VA CONTRACT HAS NOT BEEN INVITED TO THAT AMPUTEE CLINING I REFERRED TO PREVIOUSLY. OR REALLY THOSE...
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| 00:41:36 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
PROSTHETIST OF THEIR OWN CHOICE? VETERANS DON'T KNOW THEIR RIGHTS? >> I THINK UNFAMILIAR OF THEIR RIGHTS. >> OKAY. YOU TALKED ABOUT OLDER VETERANS...
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| 00:41:51 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THAT THERE APPEARS TO BE NEW
|
| 00:41:53 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
ADMINISTRATIVE HURDLES TO PREVENT THEIR CONTINUING TO RECEIVE CARE AT NON-VA FACILITIES. CAN YOU GIVE US SOME EXAMPLES? >> WE'VE SEEN IN OUR OWN ...
|
| 00:42:10 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
OTHER PROVIDERS WHERE THEY'VE GONE BACK TO THE VA FOR OTHER SERVICES, PRESCRIPTIONS, ET CETERA, AND THE PATIENT HAS BEEN, I'LL USE THE WORD DISCOVERED...
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| 00:42:39 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
DRP
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| 00:42:45 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
BANA P.C. P.C. HEK? >>
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| 00:42:58 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
DOCTOR BANA.C. HEK? >> YOU TALKED ABOUT THE EQUALITY OF THE ORTHOTIC PROVIDERS AND
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| 00:43:20 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
IN TESTIMONY MENTIONED, A MASTERS DEGREE PROGRAM. >>
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| 00:43:23 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
UH-HUH. >> IS IT EASY TO FIND PEOPLE THAT CAN DO THIS WORK? I MEAN, IS THERE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT DO
|
| 00:43:31 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:43:32 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THIS? I'M KIND OF KURTSCURIOUS AS TO THE EXPERIENCES THAT YOU HAVE IN FINDING QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO DO THIS JOB? >> FLANK LYRANKLY, THERE'S PROBABLY...
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| 00:43:51 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
VETERAN POPULATION. THE BABY BOOMERS IN GENERAL. SO THE NEED AND DEMAND FOR THESE SERVICES ARE GROWING, AND THE REALITY IF IT IS WE HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER...
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| 00:44:24 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
I WOULD LIKE TO THEY THEY ARE. HAVE TWO NATIONAL CREDENTIALING AGENCIES, AMERICAN BORPD FOR CERTIFICATION AND THE BOC AND I BELIEVE
|
| 00:44:32 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THAT BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VA THAT THEY SHOULD BE -- >> THOSE FOLKS ARE MEMBERS OF YOUR -- >> I BELIEVE SO. >> IS THERE ONGOING CERTIFICATION...
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| 00:44:44 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:44:45 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:44:47 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 00:44:50 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
OKAY. I THINK THAT'S ABOUT ALL I WANT TO ASK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SIR. >> THANK
|
| 00:44:57 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THE >> I HAVE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. >>> OUR THANKS TO THE PANEL. YOU ARE NOW EXCUSED.
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| 00:45:05 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY TODAY AND FOR RESPONDING
|
| 00:45:07 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
TO OUR QUESTIONS.
|
| 00:45:09 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
I NOW INVITE THE SECOND PANEL TO THE TABLE. ON OUR SECOND PANEL WE WILL HEAR FROM DOCTOR CHARLES SCOVILLE, CHIEF OF AMPUTEE FOR PATIENT CARE. MR....
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| 00:46:05 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
A PERSPECTIVE AND HOW THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CARES IN PARTICULAR PROSTHETIC CARES AND COLLABORATION. IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT FOR US TO LOOK BACK BEFORE...
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| 00:52:26 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
RESULTS OF THE DEALING WITH HOW VA ACQUIRES PROSTHETIC LIMBS. I'M ACCOMPANIED BY MR. NICK, OUR DIRECTOR OF THE BEDFORD AUDIT OPERATIONS AND MR. KENT,...
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| 00:57:59 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
VA'S DEFINITION FOR PROSTHETIC IN RECENT AUDITS? >> WE LOOKED AT THE DEFINITION AND I BELIEVE IN THE INVENTORIES WE REALLY DIDN'T FIND ANY REAL PROBLEMS...
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| 00:58:13 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
WE COULD THEN APPLY IT AGAINST THE PURCHASES WE REVIEWED. >> YOUR TESTIMONY MENTIONS THAT OVERPAYMENTS GENERALLY OCCURRED BECAUSE VHA PAID VENDOR INVOICES...
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| 00:58:25 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
IN EXCESS OF PRICES AGREED TO IN THE VENDOR'S CONTRACTS WITH VA. DID YOU FIND ANY REASON AS TO WHY OR HOW THE VA PURCHASERS FAILED TO OBTAIN BEST VALUE...
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| 00:58:47 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
DISCOUNT RATES. THE PROBLEM WITH THE OVERPAYMENTS WAS BECAUSE THE INVOICES THAT WERE BEING RECEIVED WERE NOT RECEIVING ADEQUATE REVIEW BY THOSE PRIOR...
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| 00:59:20 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
LIMBS. WOULD THE QUALITY DECLINE IF PURCHASING AGENTS FOLLOWED THEIR TRAINING? >> NO. I DON'T SEE ANY REASON FOR IT. >> DO YOU KNOW WHY PROSTHETIC AND...
|
| 00:59:38 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
SUSPENDED ITS REVIEW OF LABS LAST YEAR AFTER
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| 00:59:42 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
REVIEWING ONLY NINE VISNs? >> YOU HAVE THAT ONE. >> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT AT THE TIME THEY MADE
|
| 00:59:54 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THAT DECISION THEY WEREN'T --
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| 00:59:57 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THEY WEREN'T SURE WHAT THE NEED WAS FOR CONDUCTING THOSE REVIEWS. THERE WAS A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP AND I THINK THAT THEY PROBABLY JUST DECIDED THAT...
|
| 01:00:20 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
IS NOT CONSIDERED USER FRIENDLY. IT DOES TAKE SOME TRAINING. WE HAVE ACTUALLY HAD SOME OF OUR STAFF GET THE
|
| 01:00:28 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
TRAINING. IT IS DIFFICULT TO PUT INFORMATION IN. WHAT WE HAVE FOUND THROUGH MANY OF OUR REVIEWS IS THAT CONTRACTING STAFF USE IT AS A SHELL. THEY'LL...
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| 01:00:59 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
YES, THEY WILL. BECAUSE THESE OVERPAYMENTS WERE IN EXCESS OF THE CONTRACT TERMS. AND WE DO BELIEVE THE 2.2 MILLION IS A CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE. ...
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| 01:01:07 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 01:01:36 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 01:01:42 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THE D.O.D. DOES THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE USE ANY MECHANISM
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| 01:02:03 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
SIMILAR TO SECTION 2133 OF TITLE 38 FOR ITS ACQUISITION OF PROSTHETIC APPLIANCES? >> NO. >> DO YOU KNOW WHETHER OR NOT D.O.D. HAS PROCUREMENT STATUTE...
|
| 01:02:15 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
PROCURE ITEMS AND
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| 01:02:17 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
DISREGARD ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW? >> NO. IT DOES NOT. WE HAVE RESEARCHED THAT AND THERE IS NO SIMILAR PROVISION IN THE D.O.D. >> ARE THERE
|
| 01:02:26 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
INSTANCES WHERE D.O.D. DOESN'T DOCUMENT PROCUREMENTS WHETHER ON OR OFF CONTRACT? >> NONE THAT I'M
|
| 01:02:34 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
AWARE OF, SIR. >> I THINK THAT IS ALL OF MY QUESTIONS. I WILL YIELD TO THE RANKING MEMBER FOR HIS QUESTIONS. >> THANK
|
| 01:02:42 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
YOU,
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| 01:02:44 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
MR. CHAIRMAN. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE VA WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BEST STEPS
|
| 01:02:53 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THAT THEY CAN TAKE TO PROVIDE BETTER CARE IN THIS AREA? WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW THINGS ARE DONE ON D.O.D. SIDE WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TIPS YOU CAN GIVE...
|
| 01:03:15 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
ARE TREATING THE NEWLY WOUNDED THAT HAVE NOT BEEN OUT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND CAN PROVIDE THE UNIFIED CARE IN OUR FACILITIES SO WE DON'T NEED...
|
| 01:04:08 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
DEFINITION OF PROSTHETICS IS AN ARTIFICIAL SUBSTITUTE FOR
|
| 01:04:13 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
A MISSING BODY PART DETERMINED TO BE NECESSARY BY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE BECAUSE OF SIGNIFICANT CONDITIONS RESULTING FROM TRAUMA, ABNOR MALITIES AND...
|
| 01:04:39 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
YOU EXPLAIN WHY THE USE OF BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENTS
|
| 01:04:43 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
AND INDEFINITE QUANTITY ENSURE THE BEST VALUE
|
| 01:04:47 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
WHEN ACQUIRING PROSTHETICS? >> THESE ARE SMALL BUSINESS SET ASIDE COMPETITIVE CONTRACTS THAT
|
| 01:05:00 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
PROVIDE THE D.O.D. TO LOOK AT THE COST AND MAKE ASSESSMENT AND SELECT THE SOLE SOURCE TO PROVIDE AT THE BEST VALUE TO D.O.D. >> THIS WOULD BE FOR MS....
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| 01:05:25 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THE VA MAY BE INCLUDING IN THE DEFINITION OF PROSTHETICS THAT MAY BE BETTER SUITED FOR SEARCH S OUTSIDE OF SECTION 8123? >> THERE WAS A LARGE INVENTORY...
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| 01:05:43 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
AT WHICH ITEMS ARE NOT UNIQUE BUT JUST STANDARDIZED THAT YOU WOULD USE ON A REGULAR BASIS AND THAT WOULD BE -- TAKE A REVIEW TO DO THAT. I UNDERSTAND...
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| 01:06:30 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. MS. HALLIDAY, I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE OVERPAYMENT. YOU SAID ON AVERAGE THERE WAS
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| 01:06:38 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
LIKE A $2300 OVERPAYMENT. WAS THIS SYSTEMIC THROUGH ALL THE HOSPITALS YOU CHECKED? OR WERE THERE SOME HOSPITALS PAYING THE RIGHT AMOUNT AND OTHERS...
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| 01:07:04 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
VISNS AND ALL OF THE ACTIONS TO BUY THE LIMBS AND IT WAS SYSTEMIC ACROSS ALL 21 NETWORK OFFICES IN VA. >> SO THE PURCHASING AGENTS DIDN'T LOOK AT THE...
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| 01:07:23 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
GOT WAS THAT THE CONTRACTING OFFICER'S TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVES WERE NOT DOING A GOOD JOB OF
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| 01:07:30 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
REVIEWING THE INVOICES ONCE THEY ARE SUBMITTED BY VENDORS BEFORE THEY ARE CERTIFIED FOR PAYMENT. CLEARLY THE VHA CALLED A HANDBOOK REQUIRES THEM TO DO...
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| 01:08:00 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
SHOULD THE PEOPLE HAVE THIS AT THEIR FINGER TIPS AS THEY ARE DOING THIS? IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THEY WOULD BE HAVING THESE CONTRACTS AVAILABLE TO THEM...
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| 01:08:24 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
BE ABLE TO FIND OUT MUCH MORE ABOUT THE PROGRESS AND WHAT THE CONTRACT WAS AND THE TERMS AND BE ABLE TO DO REVIEWS MUCH QUICKER AND BETTER. >> IS THERE...
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| 01:08:42 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
YOU AWARE OF THAT? >> YES, THERE ARE. THE KOTARES WHICH IS A TECHNICAL REP, THERE IS TRAINING FOR
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| 01:08:53 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THAT. IT TAKES THEM THROUGH A PROCESS WHERE THEY ARE DELEGATED THE RESPONSIBILITIES. THE CONTRACTING OFFICERS WILL LAY OUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES TO REVIEW...
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| 01:09:25 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THE WAY IT IS. IS ANYONE BEING REPRIMANDED FOR NOT FOLLOWING THE RULES? >> AT THIS POINT I WOULD HAVE TO SAY IT IS TOO EARLY FOR US TO ASSESS THAT. ...
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| 01:09:42 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
MOVING FORWARD ON SOME 18 DIFFERENT RECOMMENDATIONS TO TIGHTEN UP THE CONTROLS ASSOCIATED WITH WHAT WE SAW AS WEAKNESSES IN THE CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION....
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| 01:10:10 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
AUDITS WERE ISSUED IN MARCH OF THIS
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| 01:10:12 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
YEAR. SO WE'LL BE LOOKING TO DO SOME TESTING AND FOLLOW UP WORK WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR. >> I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEE THAT REPORT. >> OKAY. >> THANK YOU....
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| 01:10:27 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING BACK. >>
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| 01:10:29 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
JUST
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| 01:10:30 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
TO FOLLOW UP MORE ON PAYMENTS. HOW IS THE
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| 01:10:34 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
GOVERNMENT GOING TO GO TO GETTING BACK WHAT
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| 01:10:39 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
HAS BEEN OVERPAID? >> COULD YOU ASK THAT QUESTION AGAIN, SIR? >> I OVERHEARD YOU SAY THAT WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MONEY HAS BEEN OVERPAID BECAUSE
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| 01:10:49 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THE OFFICERS WEREN'T SCRUTINIZING BEFORE THEY WERE
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| 01:10:52 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
CERTIFYING. FOLKS GOT PAID SOMETHING. I THINK AT ONE POINT THE SUBJECT WAS TOUCHED ON IF WE ARE GOING TO WALK AWAY FROM IT. I BELIEVE WE ARE PURSUING...
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| 01:11:16 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
RECOUP THOSE MONEYS. >> AND WHAT IF -- IF THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT IT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT TO RECOUP THE MONEY BECAUSE SOMEONE DON'T WANT TO
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| 01:11:27 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
PAY IT BACK? >> I THINK THAT THE PRESSURE TO MAINTAIN ON GOING BUSINESS IS REALLY WHAT BRINGS ABOUT A COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE
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| 01:11:40 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
VENDOR AND VA. OUR THANKS TO THE PANEL YOU ARE NOW EXCUSED. I INVITE THE THIRD PANEL TO THE WITNESS TABLE. ON THIS PANEL WE WILL HEAR FROM MR. PHILIP,...
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| 01:13:06 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ABOUT DELIVERING QUALITY CARE FOR VETERANS IN NEED OF THESE ITEMS. I'M ACCOMPANIED BY DR. BECK AND ACTIVE CHIEF CONSULTING...
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| 01:17:53 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
IS A PROCUREMENT OFFICIAL RESPONSIBLE FOR DOCUMENTING A PROCUREMENT IS AUTHORIZED AS OUTLINED IN THE FAR 6.2? >> YES, THEY ARE. >> WOULD THE PROCUREMENT...
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| 01:18:15 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
OTHER FACTORS SUPPORTING
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| 01:18:17 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THIS DECISION THROUGH JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION IN THE CONTRACT FILE? >> WE EXPECT THAT THE CONTRACTING OFFICIAL...
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| 01:18:33 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
8123 AS WE DEVELOP THE TEMPLATES THE BASIS FOR THAT IS CLINICAL INDICATION AS IN A PHYSICIAN'S PRESCRIPTION SO NOTED OR A VETERAN CHOICE. >> SO THE...
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| 01:18:53 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
LETTER IN MARCH CITE SECTION 8123 AND FURTHER STATED THAT THE VA IS NOT
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| 01:18:59 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
REQUIRED TO DOCUMENT WAIVERS FROM THE FEDERAL SUPPLY SCHEDULE? >> I BELIEVE THE DEPUTY SECRETARY'S LETTER WAS WITH RESPECT TO SOME SPECIFIC ACQUISITIONS...
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| 01:19:14 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
INCOMING CORRESPONDENCE AND EXPLAINING WHY WE DID NOT HAVE TO CITE OR PROVIDE A PRIOR WAIVER REQUEST WAS NOTED AS THE REASON OF NOT REQUIRING THE...
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| 01:19:39 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
WITH WHICH THEY ARE ASSOCIATED AS CONSULTANTS. THROUGH SECTION 8123 THESE PHYSICIANS CAN DIRECT SOLE SOURCE CONTRACTS. ARE VA PHYSICIANS REQUIRED TO...
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| 01:20:04 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
APPROXIMATELY 5% OF BIOLOGICS COST MORE THAN $3,000. SO
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| 01:20:09 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
YOUR POLICY WILL HAVE MINIMAL BEARING ON 95% PURCHASED. CAN YOU DESCRIBE HOW YOUR POLICY WILL EFFECT THE OTHER 95% PURCHASED? >> WELL, I DON'T ACTUALLY...
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| 01:20:30 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THRESHOLD WAS NOTED THAT IT WAS 97% OF THE COST WOULD BE BELOW $3,000. THE NUMBER IS NORTH OF 50% OF ALL PURCHASES ARE GREATER THAN $3,000 AND COST....
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| 01:21:34 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THRESHOLD FOR PURCHASE. IN ONE CASE 12 PURCHASES WENT TO THE SAME COMPANY FOR THE SAME PRODUCT. WHY IS VHA NOT AGGREGATING THEIR PURCHASES TO PROPERLY...
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| 01:22:07 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THAT IS NOT A CONDONED PRACTICE. >> OKAY. WHAT, THEN, WOULD THE VHA DO TO STOP THAT? >> MONITOR THE ACTION
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| 01:22:21 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
AND ENSURE THAT -- EVERY PURCHASE CARD HOLDER WHO IS COMMITTING A TRANSACTION BELOW 3,000 HAS A SUPERVISOR
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| 01:22:29 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE WATCHING AND MONITORING THAT. THEY SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR SPLIT TRANSACTIONS. THAT IS AN INAPPROPRIATE ACTION. I WOULD REQUEST...
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| 01:22:54 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
HOPE THAT THE VHA WOULD TAKE THAT ISSUE VERY SERIOUSLY BECAUSE WE ON THIS COMMITTEE DO. WHY ARE SOME PROSTHETIC ITEMS PURCHASED USING GUIDELINES AND...
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| 01:23:25 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
SEEMS IN DISCUSSION TODAY. WITHIN 302-5 THERE IS REFERENCE TO OTHER STATUTORY AUTHORITY. THE QUESTION IS UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS DOES THE PHYSICIAN...
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| 01:24:44 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
EXERCISING DISCRETION UNDER THE STATUTE WHAT PROBLEMS WOULD YOU FORESEE IF THE VA WERE TO ADOPT THE
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| 01:24:51 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
D.O.D.'S DEFINITION OF PROSTHETIC? >> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. I BELIEVE THE CONCERN THAT WE WOULD HAVE IS MANY OF OUR VETERANS WHOM WE SERVE HAVE...
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| 01:25:04 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
A CERTAIN DEGREE OF THEIR OWN CHOICE TO BE HONORED IN THE SYSTEM. AND FRANKLY THE EXPECTATION THAT A PHYSICIAN DOESN'T HAVE TO DEFEND HIS OR HER PRESCRIPTION...
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| 01:26:05 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
IN THE WAY OF GETTING WHAT THE PERSON NEEDS. BIOLOGICS DON'T SEEM TO FIT THAT DEFINITION. THAT'S CLEARLY SOMETHING THAT A DOCTOR IS GOING TO USE LIKE...
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| 01:27:24 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
COMMERCIAL ENTITIES THAT USE A DEFINITION OF PROSTHETICS THAT IS COMPARABLE TO OUR DEFINITION. >> SURE THERE WOULD BE FOLKS THAT WOULD CONFORM TO YOURS....
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| 01:27:42 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
TO MENTION. AS WE ARE COMMITTING THIS TRANSITION PROCESS AND WE ARE TRYING TO COMMIT THAT PROCESS
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| 01:27:48 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
AS CAREFULLY AS POSSIBLE BUT WE ARE COMMITTED TO COMPLETING IT WITHIN THIS FISCAL YEAR, THERE IS NOTHING IN THE USE OF A SOURCE JUSTIFICATION...
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| 01:28:41 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
D.O.D., VAOIG. ANYTHING YOU HEARD THAT NEEDS TO BE AMPLIFIED IN ORDER TO GIVE US A FULLER APPRECIATION OF THE ISSUE? ANYTHING YOU THINK NEEDS TO BE...
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| 01:29:05 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
CONCERNS. THIS IS NOT A PROCESS OR A RULE THAT WE INVOKE TO MAKE OUR LIFE EASIER. THIS IS A PROCESS THAT IS IN PLACE TO SERVE OUR CLIENTS. >> I UNDERSTAND...
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| 01:29:23 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
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| 01:29:24 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
FOLKS? >> ONE POINT IS WHAT WE
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| 01:29:27 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
ARE TALK ABOUT IN THE TRANSITION PROCESS IS OVER 50% OF THE PROSTHETICS. AND I THINK THAT IS CLARIFICATION WE WANTED
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| 01:29:34 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
TO MAKE SURE WAS UNDERSTOOD. AS THE WARRANTS TRANSITION FROM PROSTHETICS COMMUNITY TO PROCUREMENT THAT IS WELL OVER 55% OF THE PROCUREMENT ACTION IN...
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| 01:30:07 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
YIELDING. I DO HAVE FOLLOW ON QUESTIONS. WHAT YOU ARE SAYING
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| 01:30:13 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
HERE TODAY IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT THE DEPUTY SECRETARY'S LETTER SAID IN REGARDS TO THE APPLICATION OF 8123. WHY IS THAT? >> SORRY, I DO NOT...
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| 01:30:33 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
WERE ASKED A SPECIFIC QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT WE HAD TO SEEK WAVEIVER APPROVAL. WE CITED 8123 AS A SOURCE JUSTIFICATION THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO OBVEE...
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| 01:31:25 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
WHEN NOT TO USE THE FAR IN PURCHASING PROSTHETICS? >> WELL, WE HAVE MENTIONED A FEW POLICIES THAT WE HAVE. WE HAVE A FEW POLICIES THAT ACTUALLY IDENTIFY...
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| 01:31:41 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
WHICH WE WOULD APPLY THE 8123 SOURCE AUTHORITY THAT REMAINS. WE ALSO HAVE THE VAR WHICH MAKES REFERENCES. WE ARE UPDATING OUR POLICIES TO ENSURE THAT...
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| 01:32:26 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
YOU THAT ON A MOVING FORWARD BASIS ALL OF OUR PROCUREMENTS THAT WOULD USE 8123
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| 01:32:34 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
AS A SOURCE JUSTIFICATION WILL BE TEMPILATED AND WILL CONTAIN THE BASIS OF JUSTIFICATION WITHIN THEM. THEY WILL ALSO BE WITHIN THE SYSTEM. THEY WILL...
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| 01:33:06 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
WILL CERTAINLY BE HELPFUL. DOES THE VA HAVE RECORDS OR CAN IT AUDIT UNDER SECTION 8123? >> ON A POINT FORWARD BASIS WE EXPECT OUR PROCUREMENT OFFICIALS...
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| 01:33:24 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
WRITING SYSTEM AND CONTAIN ALL OF THEIR PROCUREMENT ACTIONS AND DOCUMENTATION WITHIN THEM. THE JUSTIFICATION FOR LIMITED SCOPE COMPETITION MUST BE DOCUMENTED...
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| 01:34:01 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
8123 ALLOWS US TO PRESERVE INTACT THE PHYSICIAN'S PRESCRIPTION FROM
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| 01:34:08 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THEIR PROFESSIONAL OPINION AND THE VETERANS CHOICE AND NOT SUBJECT IT TO A SECOND GUESS, A REQUEST FOR STRENGTHENING THE DEFINITION OR JUSTIFICATION....
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| 01:34:42 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
I BELIEVE THIS ONE OVER TIME. WE HAVE IN OUR SPECIFIC POLICY DOCUMENTS WE HAVE EXPLICIT DEFINITION OF THE PROSTHETICS
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| 01:34:50 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
ITEMS THAT ARE CONTAINED IN THAT DEFINITION. >> WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THAT POLICY AND DEFINITION WAS UPDATED? >> I HAVE TO DEFER TO DR. BECK ON THIS
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| 01:35:02 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
ONE. SORRY. >>
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| 01:35:06 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
OUR HANDBOOK IS FROM 2001. WE HAVE AN INTERNAL INITIATIVE NOW AND ARE WORKING ON UPDATING OUR REGULATIONS. >>
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| 01:35:16 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
11 YEARS. WOW. DOES THE VA EMPLOY VHA
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| 01:35:26 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
DIRECTIVE 2003-037 TITLED PROSTHETICS SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES TRAINING IN PROSTHETICS ACQUISITION? >> YES, WE DO, SIR. >> THAT DIRECTIVE...
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| 01:35:42 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
CORRECT. THE DIRECTIVE
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| 01:35:44 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THAT IS EXPIRED UNLESS EXPLICITLY RESCINDED REMAINS
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| 01:35:50 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
IN FORCE UNTIL ONE OF THOSE ACTIONS COMES ABOUT. >> THERE WE GO AGAIN. NOT DOING THINGS FOR 30 YEARS. WORKING OFF OF EXPIRED DIRECTIVES. 11 YEARS BETWEEN
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| 01:36:01 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
REVIEWING DOCUMENTS. THAT IS PART OF WHAT HAS GOTTEN US INTO THIS MESS NOW. WOULDN'T YOU AGREE? >> I WOULD SAY THAT WE DO NEED -- >> YOU WOULDN'T...
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| 01:36:19 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
NOW. I WOULD SAY THAT
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| 01:36:21 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THE DEFINITION, HOWEVER, 11 YEARS FOR THE
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| 01:36:24 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
DEFINITION OF A PROSTHETIC I DON'T KNOW THAT IN AND OF ITSELF IS PROBLEMATIC. >> WHEN CAN THIS COMMITTEE EXPECT TO SEE THE FULL DETAILED PLAN ON...
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| 01:36:37 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
PURCHASING PROCESS? >> WE ARE RIGHT NOW AND I WILL ASK MR. DOYLE TO ELABORATE A LITTLE BIT ON THIS FOR US. WE ARE IN THE MIDST
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| 01:36:46 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
AS WE TESTIFIED EARLIER IN THE PROCESS OF TRANSITIONING. THAT PROCESS WAS DOCUMENTED IN A PLAN THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE SENIOR PROCUREMENT EXECUTIVE...
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| 01:37:30 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
EXPECT TO SEE THE FULL DETAILED PLAN OF REORGANIZING YOUR PROSTHETICS PURCHASING PROCESS? >> WE WILL PROVIDE THAT TO THE COMMITTEE. >> LET ME ASK IT...
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| 01:37:45 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
IT. AS SOON AS WE CAN. WE HAVE BEEN
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| 01:37:48 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
EXECUTING THIS PLAN? >> A WEEK, TWO
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| 01:37:51 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
WEEKS? >> I WILL DMIET TWO WEEKS. >> GREAT. I THINK THOSE ARE ALL MY QUESTIONS. LET
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| 01:37:58 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
ME GO BACK FOR A FINAL ROUND. >>
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| 01:38:01 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY. I THINK WE HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM AND YOU HAVE A BETTER
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| 01:38:09 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
UNDERSTANDING OF OUR CONCERNS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK DR. BECK AND MR. DOYLE FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY. YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT WE ARE CONCERNED...
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| 01:38:46 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
THINGS. AND WE'RE ALL FOCUSED ON THE SAME ISSUE HERE. I KNOW THE QUESTIONING AT TIMES APPEARS POTENTIALLY CONFRONTATIONAL. THAT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE...
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NOTE: The transcript for this program was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.