 A systemic lack of resources has prevented VA from hiring enough medical and clinical professionals or to maintain usable treatment space to meet the demand for care by veterans. Congress must assure adequate funding for vote VA and non-VA health care programs. Mr. Chairman, it is still far too early to make any judgment about whether this new choice program will function as intended, whether it has enough or too much funding, whether it will improve access for veterans or more important, whether it will improve health care outcomes for veterans.