Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for calling this hearing. A hearing on this issue is long overdue.

In the recent past, I can recall one I.T. hearing. I believe it was a field hearing two years ago chaired by my predecessor as Ranking Member, which focused on VA's failed $300 million financial and logistics I.T. system. By now, we all have heard the story: It is a story of unrealistic expectations and complete mismanagement of a contractor. And it is a costly story -- one which wasted tax payer dollars and caused failures in the delivery of medical care. I would remind my colleagues that VA paid the contractor a bonus -- after they knew that the system had failed. This was shameful.

Some would argue that we may soon have at our feet another I.T. disaster. VA is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its VISTA system. Fortunately, VA had the wisdom to hire an expert to evaluate the project and to identify the problems before they go too far down this expensive road. Carnegie Mellon found major problems with VA's approach. The analysts at Carnegie Mellon wrote and I quote: "Current plans are not realistic given the complexity and magnitude of the project and VA's ability to carry them out." Hopefully, VA will be able to reverse course and solve these problems. I must question if VA has bitten off more of an I.T. solution than it can chew, especially since the system which it was designed to replace is still in much demand in the health care sector.

The VA has had its I.T. successes. A much mentioned example is the world class electronic medical record system which proved its viability and robustness in the days following Hurricane Katrina.

Yet, with each endeavor, we must be cognizant of the bottom line. Given VA's limited health care budget, we cannot afford to sink millions into I.T. solutions that might not be viable. We have to figure out how we can become smarter and better in the way we plan for and implement new or replacement I.T. solutions. It is extremely important for our veterans and for taxpayers that Congress ensures effective management of Information Technology within VA. It is all the more important because our veterans have come to rely on I.T. solutions every day to faultlessly deliver their benefits and services.

For me, the question confronting the committee today is whether or not VA should be directed through legislation on how to solve its I.T. problems. Thank you.