Sylvester Turner: “I am a cosponsor of H.R. 4061, the Department of Veterans Affairs Information Technology Management Improvement Act of…”

“I am a cosponsor of H.R. 4061, the Department of Veterans Affairs Information Technology Management Improvement Act of 2005. This important legislation would provide the Chief Information Officer at the Department of Veterans Affairs with future authority over information technology budgets, equipment and personnel. Importantly, this legislation will centralize information technology at the Department, increasing the ability of the Department to serve veterans by providing information more productively, and improve the delivery of health care to Veterans. Under this legislation, claims for veterans will be processed more speedily, waiting times for medical care will be reduced, all veterans benefits will be delivered more quickly, and medical data for veterans will be improved through more rapid updating. In short, this legislation will not only improve information technology at the Department but will make a real difference in improving the delivery of health care and other benefits for our Nation's veterans. This legislation will allow our veterans to save time in accessing the benefits to which they are entitled, improving their experiences at the VA and improving their quality of life. Should this legislation become law, the Department of Veterans Affairs may improve information technology management at the Department and help better serve our veterans.”