Press Releases
Kuster Statement on VA Signing of New VA Electronic Health Record (EHR) System Contract**Kuster urged completion of contact with Cerner to replace outdated VA EHR system**
Washington, DC,
May 18, 2018
Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), the Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, released the following statement on the finalization of a contract between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Cerner to replace the VA’s outdated electronic health records (EHR) system. Kuster wrote to the Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the VA Inspector General regarding delays in finalizing the contact. Kuster will continue to press VA and Cerner to ensure interoperability between the Department of Defense (DoD) and VA systems. “I’m encouraged that the VA and Cerner have moved forward with a contract which will lead to the revamping of VA’s woefully outdated electronic health records system,” said Kuster. “Now the hard work begins. Cerner must work with the VA to ensure a seamless transition from VistA that will improve care for our nation’s veterans. As a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I will continue to push for interoperability between the VA and DoD EHR systems so that as active duty military members move to the VA for their care, their health records can be easily transferred. This is an important step toward modernizing care at the VA and providing the men and women who have served in uniform with the best possible care.” Kuster has focused on working across the aisle to improve access to care for veterans in New Hampshire and across the country. She was one of just two democrats to co-sponsor the VA MISSION Act, which passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support this week. This legislation reauthorizes and improves the VA Choice Program and enhances community care programs within the VA. The VA MISSION Act expands access to community care for veterans in New Hampshire through a provision advocated for by Kuster. ### |