“This is the fourth hearing that the subcommittee has held on Year 2000 (Y2K)  readiness.  Through Deputy Secretary Hershel Gober’s leadership, the VA – sometimes called the sleeping giant of the federal bureaucracy – seems to have gotten its wake up call regarding the Y2K risks.  To its credit, the VA has taken a real leadership role in alerting others – especially those in the health care industry – to those risks, and in finding national solutions.  As we get closer to the finish line on this Year 2000 race, we must not relax our diligence nor let VA rest on its press notices.  Fortunately, we can always count on the GAO and IG to birddog issues like this for us.  During today’s hearing we learned that the VA has taken extensive precautions to ensure that our medical facilities will be operational on January 1, 2000.  Since the VA has been processing veterans benefits for multiple century dates, it has prepared itself for Year 2000 requirements.  Another precaution the VA has taken includes contacting all biomedical equipment manufacturers whose products are used within the Veterans Health Administration.  I am pleased that the VA has achieved a 99% response rate, and is continuing to monitor compliance issues. 

Another significant  issue affecting Year 2000 readiness for the VA is the pharmaceutical industry.  The VA has sent surveys to more than 800 medical and surgical suppliers as well as pharmaceutical manufacturers with whom VA does business to survey their Year 2000 compliance status.  The VA will be doing a test Year 2000 run over the July 4th weekend to make sure all systems are operating as planned, and I look forward to hearing those results.  I am proud of the leadership the VA has taken on Year 2000 readiness, and I’m sure our veterans will be equally as proud.”