Hearings to examine veteran health and healing through adaptive sports.

[Gavel sounds.] Good afternoon everyone. The committee will come to order and we welcome our witnesses, certainly those who are here to hear the testimony and I look forward to Senator Blumenthal joining us shortly. He is on his way, but I'm excited about this hearing and I'm excited about the time of this hearing in advance of the Olympics and Paralympics and glad that we're on this path. The VA's Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events provides veterans with the opportunity for specialized rehabilitative adaptive sporting and creative arts events. These unique events are designed to foster independence, strengthen the community involvement and improve the overall quality of life for veterans living with disabilities. Through direct programming, adaptive sport grants and training stipends for elite veteran Paralympic athletes, our country provides veterans recovering from injury as they build new strengths, compete as teammates within a new community, and engage in healthy living through tailored athletic and rehabilitation events. America's service members and veterans are a testament to our nation's strength, resiliency and determination and we see that in the veteran athletes competing in VA adaptive sporting events or training to represent our nation in international competitions as part of Team USA. As the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games approach in Milan, I want to wish Team USA, especially the veteran athletes representing our nation, every success as they compete. Their dedication and perseverance inspire Americans, inspire the world, inspire other veterans. We're proud to cheer them on. Today, we're honored to welcome two veteran adaptive sport athletes who will share their journeys and how adaptive sports supported their path from rehabilitation to elite competition. I look forward to hearing your stories, discussing the roles these programs play in veterans' health and healing. I particularly look forward to hearing about how we can make sure that these opportunities are available to all veterans that could benefit from this program. My script says I should yield to the ranking member at this moment, but I'm going to introduce the witnesses and we're going to proceed. Testifying on this panel is Gabriel George, the director of pickleball at Military Adaptive Court Sports and adaptive sports ambassador; Elizabeth Smith, U.S. Navy aviation maintenance administrationman, retired; and Julie Howell, associate legislative director for Paralyzed Veterans of America. I'd also like to acknowledge Mason Simons, a Paralympian medalist, current Team USA member, member and ambassador at Oscar Mike Foundation, who unfortunately could not join us today due to an injury he recently sustained. His testimony will be made a part of the record and we wish him a very speedy recovery and thank all of you, all of you for being here this afternoon. Let me give Senator Blumenthal a moment to turn the page and then I recognize him for his opening statement.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I apologize for my lateness. I went to our other hearing room, but I'm glad to be here and thank the chairman for having this very important hearing. Proud to have you represent our country. Your example of how adaptive sports can change lives and your dedication and hard work are really impressive. I applaud the work of VA's physical, occupational and recreational therapists as well as the BSOs, veteran service organizations, and local adaptive sports organizations for delivering this irreplaceable service to our veterans. I look forward to hearing and learning more. I want to offer a thanks to the Gaylord Sports Association and Summit Adaptive Sports organization based in Connecticut. I've heard veterans in my home state speak about the life-changing experiences that come from these organizations and adaptive sports. One veteran said to me, quote, 'After I came back from Iraq, I was a mess. I had issues relating to my family. I felt I no longer had a mission in life and everything was in shambles.' He went on to say, 'I had a friend attend a veteran sporting event. It was amazing. Helped me get out of my head. I have regularly attended many various programs since then and it has increased my social circle and my confidence.' I thank those organizations and I thank you for being here today. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. George, you are recognized. All of you will be recognized for your testimony. Thank you. Please proceed.

Good evening, Chairman Moran, Mr. Blumenthal, and the members of the committee. My name is Gabriel George. I'm a Texas native who honorably served the world's greatest Navy for five years from 2004 until 2009. Unfortunately, I was involved in a motorcycle accident back April 1, 2008, which left me with multiple traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injury, and a paralyzed right arm. I lived, once I was medically retired from the Navy, I lived in pain without a real purpose for about 10 years until the VA called me one day and asked me to come out to a summer sports clinic in San Diego. My first reaction was, how could I do this? I had this arm here hanging. I'm in so much pain. I couldn't really compete and really do anything. So I was like, but you know what? I'll do it. That was the best answer, best yes I could have said in my life because from that moment, that week of it being introduced to multiple sports changed my life forever. I went to one of the clinics where they showed me archery and I was watching everybody else sit around and shoot and I was like, okay, this is cool, but I don't have an arm to use, so how in the world I'm going to be able to do this? And one of the coaches there heard me say it, he reached in his pocket, pulled a string out and tied it around the bow, said, 'Bite down on this and pull.' That was before COVID, so I trusted them. I was like, okay, I'll do it. And once that arrow hit the target, I was like, wow, this is something really I can do. And the more I kept doing it and kept doing it, others started saying things like, 'Well, you know the VA has a program where if you meet a certain record, whatever, we have a funding and a stipend that they'll help you pay.' Then my mind was like, oh, I can pay for my, I can feed my family with this. I can do something. This is something more purpose. So after that week of learning different sports, and pickleball was one of the sports there too, I'll get to that later, but I went home and bought my first bow. Then fast forward, I met other archers and one a Paralympic archer named Andre Shelby who took me under his wing and showed me the ropes and we started competing and training and doing tournaments all around the world. That on that trial led me to doing the Warrior Games and Invictus Games where I've continuously been able to meet other veterans like Ellie and more and more people that have gone through similar situations where they was living in pain but they were using this adaptive sport as a purpose of their life, to give them a reason to keep going. When I found out about pickleball at the summer sports clinic, I fell in love with it. That was a sport that I felt like I could play for hours without being dead. And once I mentioned to other people and other people saw the joy of me playing this game, they was like, wow, what is this? What is this? I'm becoming infected in it. I met a guy named, what is his name? Stephen Harper, I believe. He had this foundation where he was teaching veterans racquetball, but then I asked him, 'Have you heard of pickleball?' And he's like, 'What was that?' Well, fast forward, he applied for a grant from the VA from the adaptive sports grant and they approved him for pickleball but not for racquetball. And then he called me and said, 'Look, I need your help.' This was about eight years ago and since then I've been a part of the pickleball director for Military Adaptive Court Sports, volunteering my service but teaching veterans all across this country pickleball, racquetball, table tennis, badminton and this other sport that he loves called padel. And daily I get to share my love and passion with others that I've seen just coming off the couch, that there's been suffering, that didn't have no purpose and giving them new purpose through adaptive sports. I love what the VA offers and the programs that they've offered, they've been a big help. The only issue I've had though, which is one of the main things, once we get addicted, once we get hooked on trying to find life again, then funding becomes an issue. There are small grants, there are small things for those that want to compete on an elite level, but then there's a whole mass of veterans that just want to get off the couch, I want to find my purpose, I just want to play with my family. And that's what I'm grateful for like the adaptive sports grant that it helps MACS and Military Adaptive Court Sports to fund these things for local events, but there's a whole need for others to be able to reach out. We go serve underserved communities. We find thousands of veterans. To this year with this grant so far in this first quarter, we've already reached over 800 veterans and we're trying to keep that going on monthly throughout to serve this country. I'm thankful for that, but I see the need that's continued to be asked from other veterans that I come in contact with daily. They're like, okay, what's next? Because once you light this little fire that I was lit, how do I keep this going? How do I keep doing this with my family? How do I share this with other family members? I represent other organizations like Will of Iron that we do golf for veterans and there are smaller organizations that have trouble getting funding from the VA grant because they're such a small organization even though they're a 501(c)(3), but it takes a multitude of people to run some of these things, to do the finance, to do the paperwork behind the grant process. And even with us, it's like I spend more hours working and doing paperwork than I get to do on the court and trying to help everyone. And that's a limitation we're trying to, we're always trying to find and get over, but it's something we do well. I love what I do because this outside of me competing, and competing was fun, I love the intention, I love the act of it, but my passion now is teaching and sharing that love with others that the veterans that come before me. When I meet a veteran from multiple wars before me and then this 80 years old telling them, 'Oh, you can come play pickleball with me,' and he's like, 'What in the world?' didn't think of it. And then it leads from them playing a sport with me on the court to now me talking to them, coming to the VA to get what are your benefits? What haven't you been taking? Go see what other things that you can be helped for yourself and for your family. So I thank you for this time, thank you for hearing me here. I'll be here for the next couple of hours.

We appreciate that and Mr. George, you're the highlight of my day so far. It was a joy to have you here and hear what you have to say. [Laughter.] Otherwise I've been having to listen to these people on that are in the left of me and the right of me and this is the, I'm happy to have you right where you are telling me how to change a life. So thank you. Ms. Smith.

Good afternoon, Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Blumenthal, and distinguished members of the committee. Thank you for inviting me here today. My name is Elizabeth Smith and adaptive sports changed my life. In 2017, while stationed aboard the USS Nimitz, I was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a fast-growing cancer of the brain and spine that starts near the brainstem. I'm incredibly fortunate that chemotherapy and radiation were successful, but surviving cancer came at a cost. When my treatment ended, I didn't feel like myself anymore. I'd lost my strength, my motivation, and soon my identity. When I found out that I was being medically retired, the reality that I would never serve my country the way I'd once dreamed left me feeling like the shell of a human being I once was. During that time, my non-medical case manager with Navy Wounded Warrior and my mom, who is here today with me, refused to let me give up on myself. They insisted that I try an adaptive sports camp even when I didn't believe it would do anything to help me. I attended my first adaptive sports camp in late 2018 and it was overwhelming. I couldn't move the way I wanted to, I struggled to hear what was going on around me, and I felt like I was failing at everything I tried. Then they put me back in a pool. Suddenly I was swimming the way I used to when I competed in high school. In that moment, I felt a spark of hope return, something I truly thought was gone forever. But that spark didn't disappear, it only grew. Before long, I was participating in seated field events, shooting, and eventually wheelchair rugby, which became especially meaningful to me. Through Navy Wounded Warrior adaptive sports, I slowly rebuilt myself. I gained confidence, reconnected with others, and for the first time since my diagnosis, I felt like I had a purpose again. But when I was no longer eligible to compete through that program after a two Warrior Game limit, I could feel myself slipping back into the same dark place I had fought so hard to get out of. I went to my VA mental health provider to ask how I could get involved in the VA's adaptive sports and arts program, something I had heard other veterans like Gabe speaking about. I was told that it would be difficult for me to get an appointment because I wasn't training to compete at a high level. I was simply trying to stay healthy. That's when organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project and the Semper Fi Fund stepped in. They didn't just fill a gap, they carried me forward. They supported my physical and mental health, helped me continue growing, and connected me with local nonprofits that gave me ways to stay active and involved in my local community. I haven't had much direct success with the VA's adaptive sports and arts program, but the grants that they give community organizations have made a real difference in my life. Through these grants, I participate in adaptive horseback riding and horsemanship at the EquiCenter, a small local nonprofit that provides equine therapy at no cost to veterans. It gives me a place to show up, connect with others, and feel like I belong. It may not sound like much, just a few hours a week practicing a sport or hanging out with horses, but those are the hours that matter the most. Those are the hours when my pain fades into the background, when relationships are built, and when veterans can feel proud of what they are capable of. It reminds us that we still have value and we still have a purpose. When I spoke with some of the legislative aides about what I should share today, one question or one thing about the VA's, sorry. When I spoke with the legislative aides about what I should share today, one question really stuck out. If I had a magic wand and could change one thing about the VA's adaptive sports and arts program, what would it be? My answer was quite simple. Make adaptive sports accessible to all veterans, not just those who live near major VA facilities. Giving the smaller VA clinics the ability to host group workouts, sports clinics, and informative sessions about what adaptive sports are and if you qualify would streamline their ability to communicate openly about the programming like the five national events that currently take place and open a dialogue of what is provided through the VA, who qualifies, and what other options might be potentially helpful. When we make adaptive sports and fitness a priority, we do more than promote physical health. We give disabled veterans a safe place to let their guard down, build friendships, share resources, and rediscover joy. No matter where a veteran lives, what equipment they need or the level at which they compete, every eligible veteran deserves equal access to these opportunities and the chance to live an active, purposeful life. It is through committees like this that you have an opportunity to not just focus on the health of veterans, but their well-being as a whole individual. It is my dream that every veteran, regardless of ability, has equal access, equal support, and equal opportunity to the care and opportunities that they deserve. Thank you so much and I look forward to your questions.

Ms. Smith, thank you for sharing your dream, showing us purpose in your life and we'll see if we can make certain those dreams can come true for others as well. Ms. Howell.

Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Blumenthal and members of the committee, Paralyzed Veterans of America appreciates the opportunity to testify today. Most of my opening remarks will focus on some of the bills covered in my written testimony, but I first want to take a minute to stress the importance of adaptive sports in the lives of PVA members, veterans who have incurred a spinal cord injury or disorder. PVA is proud of its role in the evolution of adaptive sports and we're continually working to bring accessible recreation opportunities to our members across the country. Our sports and rec, excuse me, our sports and rec program is truly unique and the impact they've had on the health and well-being of veterans with catastrophic disabilities cannot be overstated. Between January and July of this year, PVA will host 30 adaptive sporting opportunities ranging from California to Maine. These events include adaptive pickleball camps, the wheelchair rugby invitational which just wrapped up this past weekend, a bass fishing tournament series, paracycling camps, wheelchair basketball camps and others. We are also now hosting an outdoor recreation experience in several locations across the country. Our adaptive sports calendar will culminate this summer with the National Veteran Wheelchair Games in Detroit, Michigan. For the past 41 years, PVA has partnered with the VA to host the largest gathering of wheelchair athletes in the country. It's difficult to describe how impactful adaptive sports can be on an individual veteran's life, which is why I'm happy that Ellie and Gabriel were here to share their experience today with the committee. I can say that for PVA members who participate in adaptive sports programs, they not only improve their cardiovascular health, increase their strength, stability and endurance, but all of those things coalesce and lead to more healthy and independent lives. I'd now like to turn my attention to a few pieces of pending legislation that could improve access to adaptive sports and overall independence for disabled veterans. First, S. 1723, the Automotive Support Services to Improve Safe Transportation or the ASSIST Act, would provide a technical fix to the Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act which Congress passed in December of 2022. That bill authorized a second auto grant to eligible veterans and codified VA's existing practice of furnishing certain items such as van lifts or wheelchair tie-downs to catastrophically disabled veterans. However, that bill inadvertently restricted access to only the specific items listed in the legislation, which was not the intent of Congress. The ASSIST Act would allow VA to ensure that veterans can receive necessary modifications for them to live more independent lives and we urge committee members to support this technical fix. Next, I'd like to discuss S. 1644, the Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act. This legislation would authorize an increase to the VA's Home Improvements and Structural Alterations grant program or the HISA grant. HISA rates haven't been increased since 2010 despite the rising costs of construction. The Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act would increase the grant amount from $6,800 to $10,000 for service-connected veterans and raise it from $2,000 to $6,800 for non-service-connected veterans who are still enrolled in the VA. For veterans to be successful and live those independent lives, they need to have a safe and accessible home and it is long past due for Congress to increase the rates for the HISA grant. Another bill is S. 3138, the Veterans Supporting Prosthetics Opportunities and Recreation Therapy Act or the VET SPORT Act. Without access to adaptive prostheses and terminal devices, veterans may struggle and they may face even more barriers when trying to engage with adaptive sports. The VET SPORT Act would remove the need for special authorizations for veterans to receive an adaptive device, improving access to sports and recreation while also removing a bureaucratic barrier that disabled veterans face. Finally, I'd like to call your attention to a public service announcement launched by PVA this week. Our new 'Hard Work' PSA follows members as they turn the skills gained in adaptive sports into everyday independence. These videos highlight how adaptive sports are more than fitness. They can be a powerful tool in building motor control, improved mental health and community integration. What looks like training is actually transformation and improved access to adaptive sports can do just that, transform lives, as our other witnesses have already testified to today. Thank you again for the opportunity to share our views with the committee. With the upcoming Winter Olympics and Paralympics, we're glad to help elevate the importance of disabled veterans, particularly in adaptive sports. Whether a veteran is a Paralympian or a novice just getting started or somewhere in between, adaptive sports can empower veterans and inspire communities through their remarkable achievements. Thank you again for the opportunity and I look forward to your questions.

Julie, thank you for your testimony and for the role that Paralyzed Veterans of America play in advocating on behalf of veterans. I'm going to ask a couple of questions and then I'll turn to Senator Blumenthal and then we'll ask my colleagues to join in those questions. I'm particularly interested, Ms. Smith, a Kansan might me, a Kansan, and the rural nature of our state and you talked about the lack of opportunities for people who don't live in the city. Tell me about that and what have you seen or observed and how could it be fixed?

So I think it's just the number of hoops you have to jump through just to get a hope for an answer.

And the delays result from the hoops you need to jump through. Go ahead.

For me, in my own personal experiences, I have two kind of interactions with prosthetics office. One was when I'm getting a shoulder harness built for archery and with them I had an easy process because when the VA doctor didn't know what to do, they just sent me outside. We did community care and I had other private doctors would work with me and to figure out the problems or whatever we had to do and the VA just had to pay for it. Other other time was when I was working for the VA vehicle grant that was out and the biggest problem or issues with anything with prosthetics or anything with the VA sometimes is communication. When I'm asking for something, if they don't know where to get it from, don't know who to tell where to get it from, or it's, "Why do you need this?" Like when it came to a shoulder harness for shooting archery, well that's not a medical device considered by some people. But then in my world as I'm using this to compete with or the sports is my therapy, so these devices are my medical device. These are helping my well-being. So when you got to have to find the right doctor that knows how to write the right request to get it through the right people so that you get stuff approved.

Thank you. Ms. Howell.

Thank you for the question, sir. I think for PVA members, for a majority of our members, we'd have a very different or a more unique case study than our other witnesses here because most of our members access VA care through the SCI/D system of care. SCI/D floors have a prosthetics rep. Things like recreational therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, those facilities are staffed with that level of personnel. And so our folks, we haven't heard any issues as of late that rose to the level that should be addressed here today, but I think we have a positionality with our members because they have direct access to a prosthetics rep and so when there are concerns at the facility level, they're often remediated rather quickly.

Thank you. I think you mentioned delays. What are the kinds of delays that you're talking about, Ms. Smith?

Sorry, I apologize, I'm hard of hearing. So the delays for me is just even through community care, the small clinics aren't able to get you in in a timely fashion. I mean, like for example, I have a neurology consult for community care because the VA can no longer get me in because of our lack of number of providers. I got turned down by three of our community care providers because we are coming from the VA. They literally said, "We cannot get you in." So then you add the adaptive sports equipment on top of that where they're like, "In-house, we can't see you for six months." And I'm like, it's a 30-minute meeting just to tell me about what I qualify for. Like I'm not asking for anything. I'll do it over Zoom, I'll do whatever you guys need, but the delay is just getting in front of people to get answers.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Senator Blumenthal. Senator Tuberville.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thanks for all of you being here today and telling your story. Very important. You know, as a former football coach, I've seen firsthand the positive impact sports can have on people's lives and as a committee we should be doing everything we possibly can to support alternative treatments for our veterans like adaptive sports programming. Ms. Howell, in your testimony, you spoke about the importance of veterans gaining access to transportation to expand independence and you referenced my ASSIST Act, and I thank you for that, which aims to expand access for automobile modifications for disabled veterans to participate in adaptive sports. A veteran has to be able to get there in the first place to be able to compete. And so we have to find some possible way to help out the veteran. So how would my legislation help more veterans in your thoughts of being able to benefit from adaptive sports?

Thank you for the question, sir, and thank you for sponsoring that legislation. I think everyone here recognizes that the way the bill was implemented was not the intent. This is simply a technical fix to get it right. The language that was intended to be an example list ended up becoming an exhaustive list and so veterans across the country were running into barriers when it came to making an adaptive van instead of a vehicle. And so the way those facilities interpreted that understanding, again, I just want to stress that this is just a technical fix. It seems so simple and we are eagerly awaiting its passage, sir, because like you said, adaptive sports are great, getting to your VA facility is great, but some people need modifications to be able to get there. And particularly for our veterans in rural communities, accessible transportation is really hard to find and a lot of these folks live super rural and their vehicle is the only vehicle that is going to be able to get them there. So let's make sure that they get the adaptations that are necessary for them to be able to not only go to their appointments, but get to something in their community that's going to provide them increased mental health, increased physical access, and all of the things I mentioned earlier.

Exactly. Thank you. What's the biggest barriers your members face when trying to participate in adaptive sports other than this?

I'll echo the other witnesses in that, you know, in rural communities it's rather challenging. You know, you can only go to so many places. There's only so many accessible hotel rooms for cities to host. We run into complications when it comes to finding a city large enough to host the wheelchair games. You need a convention center, you need enough hotels within a reasonable area that have ADA accessible hotels. That's a whole separate hearing talking about accessible hotel rooms, but these are serious challenges. You need a facility that can accommodate 600 wheelchair users and you don't really know what that means until you see it. It's quite the undertaking. And I think one policy area around the VA adaptive sports grant that maybe we could look at is the VA adaptive sports grant can be used to host adaptive events, recreation opportunities, it cannot be used for veteran travel to get to those events. So veterans are on the hook for paying their own airfare, they're on their own for any kind of travel in between and often that's a barrier to entry for a lot of folks, especially coming from a rural community. So imagine you're a veteran living in a highly rural area, you can't get your vehicle adapted and there's no paratransit that can get you to the airport. Like that's an entire opportunity gone and then those are veterans that don't have the amazing stories that my fellow veterans here had today. It's all one thing after another.

Thank you. Mr. George, as a former coach, I saw firsthand the impact that team sports has on players' mental health. What are ways this committee can ensure veterans have access to and information about great programs like the one that rehabilitated you?

Great question. Communication. One of the best thing that way that got me informed about the actual VA's programs and summer sports clinic was through my rec therapist. But one thing I've realized in even working on with MACS, how we partner with other veterans, we go through directly through rec therapists, we try to find them. But there's a limited of them, rec therapists. A lot of doctors don't even know what the rec therapy is, they don't know that the VA has a rec therapy program. So when I'm telling a vet, "Hey, how do I get in contact with me?" talk to your doctor, ask for an appointment with your doctor, tell him to refer you to rec therapy. A lot of VAs don't even have them and in some areas they're far out. If there's no rec therapy program, there's nobody facilitating events for the veterans. So that's why we come together and outside organizations try to help input those and get stuff started in the community.

Thank you. I got one more question, Mr. Chairman, can I? Ms. Howell, do you see adaptive sports as a form of alternative care to keep veterans away from over-prescription drugs, over-prescribing?

Yes, sir, I would agree with that. We have, I think on my desktop I have like 14 pages of quotes from PVA members talking about how the first time they went to the wheelchair games they fought it, they fought it, they just wanted to sit at home and be left alone. And the introduction through rec therapists in the VA and adaptive sports is the thing that got them back into the light, if you will. We have countless accounts of veterans who with engaging in adaptive sports, they no longer have active suicidal ideation. They have decreased their dependence on mental health pharmaceuticals. They also end up building a community. Like if you have no purpose, if you have no sense of belonging, what else what are you doing? And so adaptive sports is like the very basic that we could offer to veterans who are struggling because it pulls it seems to overwhelmingly reintegrate them to not only their veteran community, but their broader community at home. I think it's a critical piece of the veteran puzzle.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Senator Hassan.

Well thanks, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank you and the ranking member for this hearing and more importantly I'd really like to thank all of our witnesses for your testimony, for your service not only in the military, but your continuing service for doing what you're doing including doing what you're doing right here today. So thank you. I also just want to thank the chairman for focusing on this important issue. Being injured, having a disability, or facing an illness are not just events or circumstances that mean we can no longer fully engage with life in society. And one of the things that I think is really important is for us to stop thinking about people with disabilities as somebody who gets stabilized and can live inside a house and isn't in a crisis but is isolated. And it's really clear from the testimony we've had today that there really is a vital role for sports, recreation, and competition in helping our veterans and in helping people with disabilities generally build complete lives. So I want to start with a question to you, Ms. Howell. Your testimony briefly touched on outdoor recreation in particular. Paralyzed Veterans of America offers outdoor experiences throughout the year that can help veterans not only engage with physical activity, but also gain confidence and enhance their physical and mental health. For veterans who for years of their lives may have spent time training and working outdoors, re-engaging with life in the wilderness after an injury or illness can have a really profound impact, especially when done in a way that helps rebuild a sense of community, something you've all talked about. This is something that the University of New Hampshire and the Northeast Passage program at UNH are experts in. They've received VA adaptive sports grant program funding and they continue to provide opportunities for veterans and others with disabilities to engage with community and find fulfillment through sports and recreation, including outdoor recreation. I've met with Granite State veterans, I've actually paddled with Granite State veterans who've taken part in these activities and they've told me how important it was to them. So Ms. Howell, can you discuss how adaptive outdoor recreation opportunities can support our veterans and how Congress and the VA can work together to increase these opportunities?

Thank you for the question, ma'am. I'm going to follow up with your staffer to get that contact information for that program. It sounds remarkable. I think in my written testimony, as you mentioned, I said that, you know, building confidence in the outdoors is a critical piece of the puzzle. It's great that we can get veterans to adaptive pickleball or the wheelchair games or something else, but what about that downtime in between the five major events? If we can facilitate a veteran being confident out in the outdoors, if especially if you're in a rural area, if we can get you the appropriate adaptive device, the appropriate wheels for your wheelchair, tires, tread width, all of this stuff is things that we all think about. Then we allow a veteran to be able to be engaged in a way and to be mentally active and physically active outside of that structure. And I've heard from a lot of members that there is an anxiety and a hesitancy about engaging in the world around them without sort of like a battle buddy or without the people that you're playing sports with. It's great to have comfort in the arena, but then how do you have the comfort in the park down the street? And I think that's the objective of our outdoor our new outdoor program is let's make sure that these veterans are empowered to know their limits, to know how their equipment works, and how do you adapt to certain situations. So I think that's really what we're trying to take away is to fill those gaps that you mentioned.

Well I know the folks at Northeast Passage would love to talk to you. One of the things they do is you can show up at Northeast Passage and you can get a loaner piece of equipment and see how it works for you. And that's been, you know, that cuts through the red tape a lot, cuts down barriers and allows you to have a proof point as you might be then going for funding for something. I also just wanted to follow up with you, Ms. Howell, on access to adaptive sports for rural veterans. It's something you've all talked about. For veterans who live in rural areas like so many in New Hampshire do, they have to have the same opportunities as people who live in major metropolitan areas. Can you tell us a bit about the challenges that rural veterans face with regard to adaptive sports and recreation and how your organization works to fill those gaps? And I certainly recognize the challenge of transportation. If you don't have a car that is adapted or a van, you're stuck.

Absolutely. And I think I'll just reiterate what Ellie shared earlier that at her VA there may not be a rec therapist or no one knows how to connect those dots. And you add the complexities of just living in a rural area, now let's throw in an inaccessible community because you may not have curb cuts, you may have choppy sidewalks if you have sidewalks at all. I used to live off of a highway, I understand that. But local communities need to be safe enough for people of all ability levels and all mobility levels. And I think that that's something that can be addressed locally, making sure that people with disabilities are engaging with their city councils, making sure that people understand like one bus route is still better than no bus route. But that bus needs to be accessible. And I think really for rural veterans, at least from my from my standpoint, I think the transportation is the most critical piece because if you can't get from your home to the outdoors or to the facility, that's like the first step. And if you need a ramp to even leave your house, you know, it's all these ancillary things. Adaptive sports doesn't exist in a vacuum.

Right. And then you need to clear the snow off the ramp, which is something I am all too familiar with. My time has run out so I didn't get a chance to talk with Mr. George and Ms. Smith. I thank you all so much for your testimony and I would look forward to continuing to work with you as you talked about the challenges with accessible hotel rooms. I have shown up to find the lip in the so-called accessible shower two inches high which can yes, may as well be a foot. So thanks so much, look forward to continuing to work with you.

Senator King.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to get rid of the word adaptive. This is sports. Mr. George, I used to do archery, I suspect you're a lot better than me. And so let's just talk about sports and that and it's so important for so many veterans, but particularly those who have been injured and have have some disability. It seems to me we already have a network in the country, ready-made to be a hub, and that is our CBOCs, which are located in Maine we have I think five or six, we have our VA hospital, but that's a local that could be a hub with information. Often what veterans lack in my in my experience is information about what's available. And that could be part of the of the of the therapy. Mr. George, one quick question. We spend a lot of time worrying about veteran suicide, as you know it's a terrible problem. It seems to me that that sports are an avenue to combat that. Is that correct?

I 100 percent agree with that statement. Yes, sir.

That's I think that's something important that it this isn't just a feel-good, this is this is helping veterans to survive. One thing about transportation, the DAV does a lot of transportation to and from veterans hospitals and those kinds of things. Is this something we could engage them in or are they already engaged? They have a transportation network in both states. Is that something we should be thinking about?

Not to speak on behalf of DAV, but it is my understanding that due to the nature of the grants that were awarded to make those vehicles available to people, I think they're required to just go to and from the VA. I don't know that for sure.

But let's fix that. We're in the business of fixing things.

Also very few of them are accessible. So if anyone is a wheelchair athlete, I mean most of them are like SUVs that

Well I think we need to be thinking creatively about all the all the possible avenues. And one of the things that worries me and I think it's come out here today is that there seem to be grants and facilities available to athletes who are at a pretty high level. And I'm worried about the veterans who may not be at that level but whom for whom these programs would be very useful. Mr. George, you're nodding. Is that how do we make this more widespread?

Like you said, there are more stipends and stuff for those that want to compete at elite levels. And but even still, like it requires you to reach a certain goal, a certain level, whatever particular sport you're playing and competing in. But for those that are doing local level stuff, there is not no grants, there's nobody there lowering the cost for you to sign up for a local pickleball tournament or local sports tournament, something of that nature. So we depend heavily on other VSOs like Wounded Warrior Project, Semper Fi Fund, and other things like that that help out. That's why MACS, what we do, we once we talk and have the six-week clinic with our veterans, we try to create community tournaments so you can give that that opportunity to get that that sense of it without having to go pay somewhere even to sign up.

And you don't have to be at an elite level.

Correct. We create those opportunities for lower level or amateur level sports events for everybody to compete in. And if I must say one more thing, you said that you if you could you would get rid of the word adaptive. I disagree there only because yes, it's still a sport, but a lot of things that we deal with issues is accessibility. And just because we say it's a sport going on there, if I pull up with a lot of people my veterans and they're in wheelchairs, a lot of places will say, "Well we don't want that chairs on our courts because you're going to tear up our surface," or, "We don't know, we don't have space for that, we don't build to accommodate you." So that adaptive lets us know that, okay, we're accepted there.

So that's that's a reason to maintain that nomenclature. I appreciate that.

Yes, sir.

There are a number of pieces of legislation. Thank you for your recommendations. The Veteran Sport Act, Prosthetics Advancement, the ASSIST Act, Autonomy for Disabled Veteran Center, Cortez Masto. So I take it these are all things that we we can and should be addressing. Is that correct?

Yes, sir.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Senator King. Senator Hirono.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you so much to the witnesses because your testimony is very enlightening to say the least. And so you you live it, and so you're here to tell us what can be done. It does occur to me though that the access to the rec programs and the para-sports programs have a lot more benefit than to the one percent or so of the veterans that I understand participate in these programs. So we know that studies have shown that veterans who engage in sports and maintain a regular exercise routine tend to experience enhanced self-esteem, diminished levels of depression and anxiety, and lower stress levels. And we talk about the suicidal ideation, etc. So access to these kinds of programs have much more of a whole veteran kind of a support that that is provided. Is that an accurate way of thinking about these programs?

Yes, ma'am. Absolutely.

Okay. So then I'm thinking that maybe it would be a good thing if support for rec therapy and adaptive sports programs can be part of the core mission of the VA because what I'm hearing from your testimony is things are catch-as-catch-can. Depending on what state you live in, there may be access to these kinds of programs, but as Ms. Smith mentioned that you now live in where, Kansas? Well anyway, some of these programs are not available catch-as-catch-can, you're trying to figure things out. It's not easy. So what if these kinds of what I would call therapies that as Ms. Howell says transform lives can be part of the core mission so that all of the various bills that we have can be incorporated into what can be a core mission of the VA, which is a way to provide a whole veteran kind of a support system? What do you think for all of the people testifying?

I think you hit the nail right on the head. I think that the VA does a great job, we have this wonderful MOVE program. It's very evident that we want veterans to be up and moving and be active, but we're so quick to say, "Here is a tablet and a scale, we're going to send it to you in the mail, send us your weight every day. You can meet with a dietician, you can do all these things, but it's going to be in a group setting and you don't really get to ask questions." But we're not telling veterans how to get healthy. And you would think living in New York that we would have a lot of different places to go, but there's not in rural New York. When you live towards Western New York, there's not a whole lot for us to do out there. But if we look at it, and I think you just put it the best way, the VA has to look at us as whole individuals. We are not just tackling the fight on health, but you guys are tackling the mental health too. And the best way to connect those is to get people moving, get people active, let them build community, let them feel that they have a purpose again. And the best way is to get them moving, let them make friends, let us have these experiences that are proven time and time again to save lives.

Do you agree, Mr. George? Ms. Howell?

Yes, ma'am.

Yes, ma'am, I would agree completely. And I think it's important that we remember that adaptive sports is not only leading to improved mental health, community, and everything else, but it's actually having a positive impact on clinical outcomes as well. A veteran who is engaged in adaptive sports over years and years and years, their cardiovascular strength is going to improve. Their body's going to perform better and they are going to then need less medical support on the other side of the ledger when it comes to care and access. So the ramifications and the positive impact of adaptive sports are literally endless.

I get it. So I think that the three of you have very much convinced me that access to these kinds of programs should be part of the VA's core mission so that there is an acknowledgment and a recognition of how important these kinds of programs are and access to these programs are for the whole person, not just if you're going to be a paralympic athlete as a veteran. That's just a very small group of really fit veterans, I guess, but I'm thinking about the entire veteran cohort community, which is millions and millions of veterans. And we spend a lot of time on this committee focusing on things like the mental health of veterans, the drugs that they have access to, too many of them take too many drugs, suicide ideations, and if we can help them through programs like this in a much more systematic way, which is not what I'm getting is what's happening, that I think we can make progress in all of these areas. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Senator Hirono, thank you. Senator King.

I think this points up and what you just said, Ms. Howell, is so important. Our healthcare system generally, the VA and everywhere, is oriented towards sickness. In other words, we treat you when you're sick. What this program demonstrates is the benefits of actively working with people in order to enable them to keep healthy. And I think that's important and I agree with Senator Hirono, this should be a basic part and for those who are worried about budgets, I suspect in the long run these programs would save the VA money because the veterans would be healthier and happier if these programs were expanded. So thank you very much, this is an important hearing, Mr. Chairman.

I'm of the same view, Mr. King. This is another good hearing for us. Let me, before we ask you to allow the second panel to take your places, is there anything that you'd like to having we have heard your testimony, we've heard our questions, we've heard your responses, something that anybody would like to add for our knowledge and for the record of this hearing before we turn to the second panel? Everybody's satisfied with what you said? I'm never in that position, satisfied with what I said. Well thank you very much. Yes, ma'am, Ms. Smith.

If I could, I just would like to thank you all because I know you all have our best as a veteran, I know you guys have our best intentions with you and I would like to just thank you for allowing us this platform to share our stories because I think the more people that hear your story, the more people you reach, the more people they can tell your story to, and that's how we make a difference. So thank you so much for your time here today.

You've made a real impression here today. That's well said. It is a great impression and it does give us the opportunity to tell a story and in addition to that, hopefully make a difference as we deal with the Department of Veterans Affairs and with legislation that might be helpful. Thank you all very much. Yes, Mr. George.

Last thing, I promise it'll be done. When y'all are ready, I'll be glad to meet y'all on a pickleball courts and bring you all out. It'll be the best experience of your life. I could bring the whole Senate out there, we have you, no problem.

There is a group of Senators who play pickleball. I won't tell you the places because I don't think they want any videos. Thank you all very much. Appreciate your testimony and value very much your service to our country and your care and concern for other veterans. Senator Banks, you have questions for this panel?

...purpose ultimately. I spoke with my sports and rec team before the hearing and some things they're doing right. The grant program right now is running very efficiently. They said that the past year and a half, two years, the staff have been super engaged anytime they have a question or need clarification, the VA responds in a very timely manner. So shout out to everyone working at the VA Adaptive Sports Grant Program. As far as veterans falling through the cracks, it's hard to say. We ask the same question when it comes to healthcare delivery, benefits delivery, everything else in between. We're never going to capture all veterans and I think we do a disservice when we expect VA to catch 100 percent of everybody for all things. The testimony shared earlier talk about the struggles in rural areas, whether or not you only have a CBOC, does the CBOC have the resources to employ a rec therapist? The community and organizations like PVA and my other counterpart here, they try and fill the gap when VA isn't there to provide these opportunities. But there's going to be regions where we can't catch them. And so it's increasing awareness, increasing messaging, and to the chairman's point earlier, the marketing. How do we make sure that the world knows about these things? And I think it's going to take a community-wide effort to make sure that fewer vets fall through the cracks.

Good. One thing I noticed, a quote from your past president that I really liked. He said, quote, "You must prod the VA to take action and begin an active and effective program of recreation." It's a privilege for me to serve on this committee as a veteran myself and I consider it a responsibility of mine to prod the VA to do the right thing from time to time. Can you give us advice on how we need to prod the VA today?

I think maybe beyond prodding, I think as long as we make sure that VA is being thoughtful, particularly in light of the reorganization coming up, making sure that things like prosthetics are in the center of the discussion. Prosthetics touches every aspect of every veteran's life. It goes well beyond adaptive sports. And I think from facility to facility, things are different when it comes to the delivery of prosthetics. So if we're going to prod VA using that language, we need to make sure that they are focused on departments like prosthetics to make sure that that delivery is equitable across the system. We can't have these massive gaps. We can't have experienced time delays like my counterparts discussed earlier. If you order something from the VA, it should arrive within a timely manner. Because I have the opportunity, one thing I will flag is that we have heard from veteran members that it's great, they got a piece of adaptive fitness equipment delivered to their home from the VA, everything is going great, but it's dropped on a pallet in their driveway. And that's not something you can really just call a TaskRabbit for. So how do we get, it's sort of like that last mile, how do we get a super heavy piece of adaptive fitness equipment into the home so that a veteran can actually use it? So I think that is one piece of the puzzle that is yet to be figured out.

Mr. George, it was great to meet you earlier today. I wanted to wait and ask you, the whole country is watching this hearing. You're under oath. Will you agree to be my partner in the upcoming Senate pickleball tournament?

Can I see you play first? I got you.

Fair enough. Listen, Mr. George, you're a champion athlete today, but it took a lot of hard work to get to where you are. Can you tell us more about how competing in sports helped your recovery in the beginning and tell us that story, how it affects your health and well-being today? Because I know there are a lot of others out there just like you.

Just me personally, just having that thought of the competition or just competing gives me purpose, gives me something to do. That day-to-day rehearsing, the practicing, the training, that relives a purpose in your mind mentally, physically, and showing me that when I'm in the moments when I'm sitting at home crunching in pain from having these nerve spasms constantly, the muscle spasms, whether it be weather or AC, whatever is going on, when I can get back on the court or when I'm out there doing something, I'm given something else to focus on. Now I have, I'm looking forward to not even just the match, I'm looking forward that I'm showing up because I don't see my competition as I'm facing that battle against the person. I'm seeing I'm winning for everybody that's watching me. I'm seeing all everything that I've came against that I'm here for this day now. Whether I'm winning or losing this, it's another win because I'm here today. I was pronounced dead many years ago. I was told I wasn't supposed to be alive, I wasn't supposed to walk. I have spinal cord injuries. I'm doing well beyond what I'm told I'm supposed to do. So every time I reach my limit or find something else that I'm able to do, then I'm like, if I can do this, I'm showing somebody else, okay, you can probably do it too. But at the same time, watch what you do because hey, you might get addicted to this and it's going to cost you everything you cost and you don't have the financial support behind you. So don't tell everybody, hey, yeah, I'm getting sponsored or I'm being, I have all this support. I try to show my true story and let them know, no, this is hard. It takes every day. It takes me being away from my daughter a whole lot. It takes me being away from my family so that I can show up and be here and be present. But if I don't do it, who's going to do it?

You're an inspiration and a hero. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your time. I yield back.

I almost allowed you the opportunity to depart from the witness table. We've now been joined by Senator Blackburn. Senator Blackburn.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I am so pleased that we are doing this before the 26 Paralympic Games. And I thank you for doing that. I think that our athletes, we want them to compete well, we want them to represent themselves and our country well. And I think that it's important that we look at that service and recognize that service and the recovery that is there and the opportunity, just as you were speaking to, to actually achieve and to succeed. So we thank you for that. And I think that the chairman's leadership, we've got the Veterans' Prosthetics Advancement and Reform Act, the ASSET Act. These are all things that we can do to honor the service that you have given and to make certain that we are, we're supporting your efforts. Miss Howell, I wanted to come to you if I may. I would like to know as we're looking at different things and some VA reforms and Secretary Collins is doing a great job, but when you look at communication between the VA clinicians, the recreational therapists, the grant-funded community organizations where veterans are transitioning into community-based adaptive sports programs. So how effective is that communication so you get that continuum of care and it's also a continuum of opportunity?

Yes, ma'am. I agree wholeheartedly. Although I think other witnesses might be able to better speak to that. I've never participated in an adaptive games myself and therefore I don't know how it works being transferred from the VA to a community group. So I would defer to the other experts here on the panel.

All right. Mr. George.

Thank you. I've been fortunate to have a great experience when it comes to transferring from my doctors and my health and doing, but I speak highly again, my rec therapist Katie Blunk from the Northeast Florida Southeast Georgia VA had a major role in my therapeutic recovery. She was there anytime I had questions about what's going on, what sports, she's there putting in a calendar throughout the whole month and providing events for us. She told me about the summer sports clinic, the winter sports clinic, invited me out there. But she was someone who said as long as I'm willing to show up, she'll keep supporting. I have her, but not everybody has her. All other veterans don't have a great rec therapist that's willing to go above and beyond like that. And that's one of the issues I see facing with me and my organizations when it comes to finding other rec therapists or finding other veterans in underserved communities. Because if there's no rec therapist there, there is nobody to communicate. So then we end up showing up trying to spend funds to find and advocate for others to bring them to come here for about a program. But and then when we leave, who's going to maintain it for us? So that's the worst thing I'd like to do, worst thing I hate doing is showing up, giving an awesome clinic to somebody and sparking a fire on them, then leaving with no resource. So without that relationship with a rec therapist or the communication where people know what a rec therapist is, that's going to make it hard to keep communicating for the people to funnel them in. And a lot of it comes from word of mouth. Once we find that somebody, all the veterans share with other veterans and they're going to tell you this is who's going to come. Then we kind of overworking the therapist because then we help her do her job, but we overwork her because we're providing her with more people. But that's where I say the biggest thing is.

Would you say that half the veterans, what percentage of veterans that you come into contact with have access to that continuum?

It's hard to put a percentage on it because I cover such a national level, but it's usually those areas where the rural areas that you don't have.

Yeah. Miss Smith.

Yes, ma'am. So I'm kind of in one of the rural areas that they talk about where I am in Western New York. And for me, I mean, I went from competing at the Wounded Warrior Games with Navy Wounded Warrior and I was still active duty and just entering retirement at that process and they implemented where you can now only do two Warrior Games, which is very understandable, there are far more people than they can have who are eligible to be part of that. But there was no continuum for me when I went and addressed the VA with how can I stay active? If I can't do this program anymore, I'm being told that we have this and I was being told, we do, but that's not going to serve you well because you're not training to compete on a huge level, you're not training and or it's going to take so long for you to get an appointment, you're not going to be satisfied, just look elsewhere. So I think the major breakdown...

Let me ask you this. Would it be helpful if there were community organizations that could be brought into the process like we're doing with community care where veterans can go into medical care in their communities without having to travel to the VA? If there are nonprofits and organizations we could activate into a network, would that be helpful?

Yes, ma'am, but I think in the same way as it says helpful, it's also not helpful because in the rural areas we don't have a lot of community places. I mean, I'm very fortunate there's a local nonprofit that gets a VA grant and I'm able to do horsemanship and horse riding through with them. But in the same way, our community doesn't have those spaces available. So it would be super helpful, but we're still going to be driving an hour and a half, two hours like we were going to go to one of the major VAs in our area to get that care. So I think it's helpful, but I think that everything comes at a price. So if we can work with the community...

Well, your service and sacrifice is a price and we are grateful for that. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Welcome, Senator. Now, we are saddened by your departure, but we're going to ask you to depart. [Laughter.] Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for your service. Thanks for your example. I'll call to the table our second panel, which consists of Dr. Rachel McArdle, Deputy Executive Director for the Office of Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Doctor, thank you for your presence and you are now recognized for your testimony.

Good afternoon, Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Blumenthal, and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today about VA's Adaptive Sports Program and to share our views on four bills under consideration. VA's Adaptive Sports Program is a vital part of rehabilitation for veterans with disabilities, as you got to hear firsthand some of the stories earlier. These programs are clinically integrated and help veterans regain independence, improve physical and mental health, and reconnect with their communities through adaptive sports. Veterans build strength, confidence, and resilience while reducing isolation and rediscovering purpose. Each year VA hosts six national rehab events: the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, which VA co-presents with the Paralyzed Veterans of America; the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic and the National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic, which the VA co-presents with DAV, Disabled American Veterans; National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in collaboration with the American Legion Auxiliary; the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic; and our largest event, the National Veterans Golden Age Games. These national rehab events provide opportunities for veterans with spinal cord injuries, limb loss, vision loss, traumatic brain injury, and many other conditions. This past July we were honored to host staff from this committee at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Beyond national events, VA manages an adaptive sports and equine-assisted therapy grants program to support the physical and mental health of veterans with disabilities. Grants are awarded to experienced non-governmental organizations helping veterans and active duty service members apply skills learned in a clinical setting in their local communities. Last year the program served over 20,000 veterans through $16 million in grants offering more than 60 plus different types of activities. VA also manages the Veterans' Monthly Assistance Allowance Program, which provides a stipend to veterans with disabilities who are training and competing at the elite level of Paralympic or Olympic sports. Stipend recipients exemplify how adaptive sports empower veterans to pursue excellence and represent our nation on the global stage. In addition this year, the global stage includes Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics where six veterans currently receiving VA stipends have been confirmed to compete. A remarkable testament to resilience and the power of adaptive sports. Now I will turn briefly to the legislation before the committee, noting that our full views are detailed in my written statement. S. 1644, Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act. VA supports the intent of this bill subject to amendments. It would update the Home Improvement and Structural Alterations Program to reflect current costs and ensure veterans receive medically necessary home modifications. VA agrees with the goal of increasing flexibility and adjusting limits based on industry costs, but recommends technical edits to clarify eligibility and implementation. VA also supports the proposed annual index adjustment and believes the recommended amount for future applicants aligns with average costs for common modifications such as bathroom renovations. S. 1726, ASSIST Act of 2025. VA supports the intent of this bill subject to amendment. It would broaden VA's authority to provide any medically necessary automobile adaptations for drivers and passengers, improving safe transportation for veterans with disabilities. VA suggests adding authority to limit use of these benefits to once every five years or extenuating circumstances. S. 2981, Veterans' Prosthetic Advancement and Reform Act. VA supports the intent of this bill but has concerns. Establishing a national prosthetic formulary would require substantial resources, including numerous dedicated personnel and a fully integrated clinical ordering system. Without such integration, providers would face delays and inefficiencies. VA also seeks clarification on whether the bill intends to include items covered under other authorities to avoid duplication and confusion. VA welcomes the opportunity to discuss how best to address ensuring the formulary improves access without unintended consequences. S. 3138, Veterans' Sports Act. VA supports this bill subject to amendment. VA already provides adaptive prostheses and terminal recreation equipment under current regulations and is concerned that the bill's language could create confusion or litigation by implying new benefits. VA recommends adding a rule of construction to clarify that the bill does not alter any existing benefits. In closing, VA remains committed to expanding adaptive sports opportunities and working with Congress to strengthen these programs. Thank you for recognizing the transformative power of adaptive sports and I look forward to your questions.

The committee looks forward to working with you, Doctor, and with the Department of Veterans Affairs to find solutions to suggested challenges or problems and to move forward with a legislative agenda related to these topics. I think my only question for you today is what you perhaps the broad question is something you heard from our witnesses that you'd like to respond to or in particular I'd ask again how do we overcome this issue of rural and small towns and where people live.

Thank you for this opportunity, Chairman. I did gain a lot from listening to the first panel and I will tell you it's not the first time I've heard it. I regularly attend our national rehab events as well as talk to other grantees that we have. One of the reasons I do this is to be able to hear from them what is going on at their VA facilities. And so one of the things we have done over this last year is to create a mentor and mentee program. So we take their feedback and it is to be able to spread the experience of we have programs across as Gabe was mentioning, his experience has been fantastic. And then we heard Ellie sort of share a different experience. We want to be able to share the information across the VA and train up those sites whether they be rural or urban into bolster the adaptive sports programming throughout the enterprise. Some of the other things, we do have grants that range from the small as just under $4,000 up to as high as $750,000. So for anyone watching, when our notice of funding opportunities post, that grants can be applied for by all levels of different organizations whether they're in small rural communities or in large urban communities.

Thank you. Thank you for being here. Dr. McArdle, as you're aware, thousands of contracts were canceled as a result of the DOGE program. They were terminated for convenience, a method that DOGE commonly used to cause the VA to cut important contracts. I understand that at least three of those contracts were for adaptive vehicles. Is that correct?

Thank you, Ranking Member Blumenthal. I am unaware of three cancellations of contracts on adaptive vehicles.

Are you aware, well, could you find out for us and report back?

My apology. Definitely, I will take that for the record.

And are you aware of other contracts for services that were canceled as a result of the DOGE involvement?

For in my office, the contracts that we oversee, we have over 80 plus national contracts for prosthetics specifically. We had no contracts that were canceled per DOGE.

For any other services that come within your...

No, we had no, I'm sorry, we had no contracts canceled within rehabilitation and prosthetic services.

Did you lose staff as a result of the cuts in workforce?

We, I don't know of any staffing cuts in rehabilitation programs. The department has seen some natural attrition, but to my knowledge there has been no negative impacts on the adaptive sports program.

Well, that's good to hear. Summit Adaptive Sports is a Connecticut-based organization, I don't know whether you're aware of them. They put out adaptive sporting events for veterans. They've reached out to the New Haven VA clinic to recruit veterans. Apparently they're having difficulty reaching people there. Could you intervene to help them with that activity?

We would love to follow up with your office to get the specifics and happy to reach out.

Thank you. I appreciate you being here today and all your great work. Thank you.

Senator King.

Thank you very much for joining us and for the work that you're doing. Is it routine to notify a disabled veteran who's in touch with the agency of the availability of these kinds of programs? In other words, is there some automatic form or notification? I'm concerned that we have these good programs but a lot of veterans don't know about them.

Thank you, Senator. Are you specifically speaking of the six national rehab events or adaptive sports that go on at the local...

Adaptive sports generally.

Okay. It probably is variable, but there are a lot, we have a websites, we try and get the word out. I would agree that with the marketing piece, we are currently working on an opportunity that would allow sort of a navigational resource app that would allow veterans to be able to easily find opportunities in their communities. It's still in its infantile stages. We do regularly speak with our rec therapists, so it would be them getting out the information. We also do collaborate with our VSO partners to get the word out for what we have going on. They often are force multipliers for us to be able to get the communication out.

Well, I appreciate that. I would think that would deserve some real attention to think about the marketing. The good news, you mentioned in your testimony you have 20,000 veterans participating. The bad news is there are nine million veterans that are enrolled with the VA. So there's plenty of room where I think there are people who could take advantage of these programs who basically just don't know they exist or what steps they might take to avail themselves of this opportunity. So I see this as a really a part and parcel of the healthcare provision of the VA. We talked with the previous panel about mental health and just the general health benefits of these programs. So I would hope you might work with your health counterparts and just try to really multiply the outreach to the veteran community, particularly the disabled veteran community.

Absolutely, Senator. One other thing I did forget to mention is as part of the grants program, there is an outreach component to it. So the grants that we award, part of their responsibility is to provide outreach. So that is why we do have a good success rate in terms of getting a lot of veterans who are participating with the grants that we are funding.

I would hope that there would be a just a routine checkmark. Disabled veteran enrolls for care at local veterans' hospital. Have they been informed of adaptive sports opportunities? That would I think that would go a long way just as sort of almost part of the intake if you see what I mean.

Thank you, Senator King. I'll take that for the record.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Let me thank our committee staff. I think we've had another good hearing in our committee today. Thank my colleagues for being here and for participating. I again thank our witnesses, you Dr. McArdle and those who preceded you on our first panel. And I appreciate our audience and their attention as well. Members of this committee will have five legislative days in which to submit questions or statements for the record. Any senator who would like to submit a question for the record, please do so in a timely manner. And I ask the witnesses to respond to those questions for the record received following today's hearing in a timely manner as well.

Mr. Chairman. Could I also ask those who are here in the audience and also those who are on the panel to send us ideas, to send us thoughts that have been provoked by the hearing today. We're in the idea business here. And if there are thoughts that you can come up with about how to facilitate these programs more effectively, let us know. Don't assume that we know everything. That's not a safe assumption.

I don't think anyone assumes that, but if they do, I'm glad Senator King has dissuaded them of that view. Very much appreciate our hearing today and with that, our hearing is adjourned. [Gavel sounds.]