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>> yes. this bill is very important. it will allow me to make sure that we have the right people leading the va. that means that the people that have lost their values are going to need to leave and we'll got people in faster to make sure we're fixing the system. brian: it's a union. will unions push back on this? >> i think the union always has concerns but we are committed to due process for people. but the union understands the va needs to change. that this has been long overdue. i think that they are going to understand and work to make sure that we are able to do what we need to do to get...

In revising the system to make it work even better for veterans. if we're going to fix the system, it's going to be in partnership with the president's leadership and a partnership with congress. >> is part of that giving vouchers for private coverage, for private health care? >> what i've said is what we learned in the last crisis from 2014 is that the va needs to get better but i can't do it alone. the system that's going to work best for veterans is an integrated system between the va system, a strong va system working with the private sector. >> where do you put the number for suicides? >>...

It work even better for veterans. if we're going to fix the system, it's going to be in partnership with the president's leadership and a partnership with congress. >> is part of that giving vouchers for private coverage, for private health care? >> what i've said is what we learned in the last crisis from 2014 is that the va needs to get better but i can't do it alone. the system that's going to work best for veterans is an integrated system between the va system, a strong va system working with the private sector. >> where do you put the number for suicides? >> my single clinical priority is...

Are significant challenges, medical challenges, that are facing veterans that having a closed eco system makes a lot of sense. it should be integrated along lines where there are expertise and efficiencies in the open market. there are thins the va needs to do. >> melissa: it is a disgrace the way it stands. we see the stories all the time. we are not doing right by our veterans. what do you think needs to change first though? >> the va's made a lot of progress, both under the former secretary and under the new secretary. i think they'll con to improve. they have been getting more money, large...

Can that change the culture? the va right now really is -- there are so many problems that have lined up there, the department doesn't appear they can solve this because of that culture. congress' answer to this is to spend tens of billions a year basically to shift the patients, veterans, from the va to private care to try to kick the va into gear but second of all to get them out of the va so they can get care somewhere else. that tells you how difficult it is for the va to solve their own problems whether it's giving folks job back or transferring them back to regular jobs, va needs to unde...