Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Dr. Marshall, first let me thank you for your insights regarding your extensive experience, for leading the work of your advisory council, and for being a force for continued analysis and improvement of veterans affairs programs.
My first question addresses the goals of your proposal for veterans integrated services that would, and I quote from your press release,
—be more comprehensive, flexible and responsive than VAC's current health programs; reach more Veterans and families; help them enhance their health and well-being; and give them access to more appropriate health and social services when they need them.
Essentially, from what I understand, you are calling for a further redesign of existing programs that would change eligibility criteria, allowing more veterans to qualify, and at the same time provide a broader range of services to thousands more veterans.
I wonder if you have a sense of how long it should take administratively to implement the changes you are proposing, and how many months would be required to set up new regulations and add the appropriate systems and resources to deliver these new services.