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FEDERALhearing transcript
High Impact

Hearing on VA Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM)

Original title: MODERNIZING HEALTH RECORDS FOR SERVICEMEMBERS AND VETERANS: THE CONTRACTOR PERSPECTIVE

January 1, 2021

veterans affairselectronic health recordsgovernment contractingmilitary healthcaretechnology modernization

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The Frame

What this does

The project aims to create a single, health record for military personnel and veterans, with a total projected cost of $21 billion across the VA and Department of Defense.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Veterans

The project aims to change how their medical records are managed and accessed during their transition from military service.

Department of Veterans Affairs

The agency is responsible for implementing the new electronic health record system and managing the associated $16 billion budget.

Department of Defense

The agency is required to coordinate with the VA to ensure health records are interoperable between the two departments.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2021.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This House Subcommittee hearing examined the progress and challenges of the Department of Veterans Affairs' 10-year, $16 billion project to modernize electronic health records. Lawmakers questioned contractors about their roles in creating a seamless health record system for servicemembers transitioning to veteran status.

Key Facts

  • The Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) project is projected to take at least 10 years to complete.
  • The VA's portion of the EHRM project is estimated to cost $16 billion.
  • The combined cost for health record systems across the VA and Department of Defense is estimated at $21 billion.
  • The project aims to create a seamless, interoperable lifetime health record for servicemembers transitioning to veteran status.
  • The Subcommittee identified management, leadership, and joint governance between the VA and DoD as critical success factors.
  • The VA has a documented history of failed IT projects according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Inspector General.
  • Congress first mandated an interoperable health record system in 2008.
  • The hearing featured testimony from representatives of Cerner, Leidos, and Booz Allen Hamilton.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the goal of the EHRM project?
The goal is to create a single, seamless lifetime health record that follows a servicemember from their time in the military into their status as a veteran.
How much is the government spending on this project?
The VA's implementation is projected to cost $16 billion, while the combined investment for both the VA and the Department of Defense is estimated at $21 billion.
Why is the Subcommittee holding these hearings?
The Subcommittee is conducting oversight to address concerns regarding management, leadership, and the history of failed IT projects within the VA.

Why It Matters

The project aims to create a single, health record for military personnel and veterans, with a total projected cost of $21 billion across the VA and Department of Defense.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Long-term IT failure pattern

The document highlights a recurring pattern of failed IT projects at the VA dating back to at least 2008.

Department of Veterans AffairsGovernment Accountability Office

Connected Entities

organizationCerner“Contractor for government health services”Map →
organizationBooz Allen Hamilton“Contractor for health services”Map →
personJim Banks“Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization”Map →
personSusie Lee“Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization”Map →
organizationLeidos“Contractor for health group services”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance85
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy40
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz20
    Current news / social attention level

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