Press Releases
Kuster Statement on VA Announcement on Plans to Modernize Health Records System
Washington, DC,
June 5, 2017
Today Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, issued the following statement about the announcement by Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin that the Department is moving forward with the modernization and full interoperability of its electronic health records (EHR) system with the Department of Defense. “One of the most persistent challenges inhibiting care and increasing costs at the VA is its outdated electronic health records (EHR) system. Modernizing the VA’s EHR system and creating interoperability with the Department of Defense has been one of my top priorities since joining the House Veterans Affairs Committee, including the last two-and-a-half years as Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. In February, I led a letter to Secretary Shulkin calling for the VA to fully replace its outdated EHR system and integrate the new platform with the Department of Defense. I am pleased by today’s announcement that the VA has complied with the request of our letter and will be modernizing its EHR system. However, today is only the beginning of this process and I will work closely with my colleagues to provide sufficient funding and oversight to ensure that the VA completes this important work. A modern and efficient health record is a necessity for an integrated VA health care system that will use both DoD and community care providers to give veterans the best possible health care. We owe it to our veterans and the plan announced today will offer immense benefits for those who have served.” ### |