Well, what are you doing to correct this kind of problem here and nationally?

We are obviously concerned about what happened here, but we are also very concerned about what the practices are by the VA nationally.

What is your response to the allegation that the quality assurance aspects of the program were conducted by the contracted doctors themselves and were not independent enough to assure that there was an unbiased report?

Thank you, Dr. Kao.

I am 35 seconds over.

But did you notify the patients?

Let me turn to you, Dr. Kao. You have counsel with you; but let me say that, as you have noted, you are appearing here voluntarily and you are under no obligation to respond to questions.

The answer to my question is, yes, you did know about the problem?

What action has the Veterans' Administration taken with respect to those other sites.

Well, that is great symbolism to conclude our hearing.

It is up to the Veterans Administration to do the oversight.

I think that is a valid statement.

I think that we, regardless of any such relationships, regardless of any such contracts, we, the VA, must prevail in having our oversight of this program and other programs.

I would like to see the floor set at $40 billion, so I came to urge you to utilize your efforts to help raise that money, which is the best way to cure juvenile diabetes.

According to a New York Times article last Sunday, a rogue cancer unit at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center botched 92 of 116 cancer treatments over a span of more than 6 years and kept quiet about it.

There's a tremendous amount of concern in Philadelphia--really more broadly speaking, but certainly in Philadelphia--where these implants occurred and I think that prompt oversight is something that we ought to do to respond to the public…

I do not think I will need all of the minute. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member, for convening this important hearing.

I am not going to vote for this unless you increase funding for NIH up to $10 billion.