[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 109 (Friday, June 6, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34033-34034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-14283]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Privacy Act of 1974; Computer Matching Program

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of Computer Match Program.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. section 552a, the Privacy Act of 1974, as 
amended, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidelines on 
the Conduct of Matching Programs, notice is hereby given that the 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) intends to conduct a computer 
matching program

[[Page 34034]]

with the Internal Review Service (IRS). Data from the proposed match 
will be utilized to verify the unearned income (i.e. interest, 
dividends, etc.) of nonservice-connected veterans, and zero percent 
noncompensable service-connected veterans, whose eligibility for VA 
medical care is based on their inability to defray the cost of medical 
care. These veterans supply household income information that includes 
their spouses and dependents at the time of application for VA health 
care benefits.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This match will start no sooner than 30 days after 
publication in the Federal Register, unless comments dictate otherwise.

ADDRESSES: Mail or hand-deliver written comments to: Director, 
Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 
Vermont Avenue, NW., Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. All comments 
received will be available for public inspection in the Office of 
Regulation Policy and Management, Room 1158, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen E. Watkins, Assistant 
Director, Income Verification Division, Health Eligibility Center, 
(404) 235-1340.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. General

    The Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 Public Law 
(Pub. L. 100-503), amended the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) by 
describing the manner in which computer matching involving Federal 
agencies could be performed and adding certain protections for 
individuals applying for and receiving Federal benefits. Section 7201 
of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, Public Law 101-508, 
further amended the Privacy Act regarding protections for such 
individuals.
    The Privacy Act, as amended, regulates the use of computer matching 
by Federal agencies when records in a system of records are matched 
with other Federal, State, or local government records. It requires 
Federal agencies involved in computer matching programs to:
    (1) Negotiate written agreements with the other agency or agencies 
participating in the matching programs;
    (2) Obtain the approval of the matching agreement by the Data 
Integrity Boards (DIB) of the participating Federal agencies;
    (3) Furnish detailed reports about matching programs to Congress 
and OMB;
    (4) Notify applicants and beneficiaries that their records are 
subject to matching; and
    (5) Verify matching findings before reducing, suspending, 
terminating or denying an individual's benefits or payments.

B. VHA Computer Matches Subject to the Privacy Act

    We have taken action to ensure that all of VHA's computer matching 
programs comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act, as amended.

    Approved: May 29, 2003.
Anthony J. Principi,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 03-14283 Filed 6-5-03; 8:45 am]
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