Looking at the Auditor General's report, its first recommendation has to do with what we've been talking about, the barriers to timeliness in terms of helping veterans access psychological and psychiatric assessments.
It takes about 16 weeks after the veteran has gathered and submitted the necessary paperwork, and it takes another 16 weeks before they actually receive the benefit, assuming that there are no delays or glitches. At that point, they are reimbursed for any mental health care received after the date of a positive decision. The preceding 32 weeks in which they still required mental health care aren't covered. What impact does this delay have on care and coverage? If someone is under financial stress, that has to play on that person. Have you looked at the impact on mental health?
How is it possible that it could take eight months for the department to figure out that a veteran is suffering from these mental health issues and that none of that eight-month period is covered?