Daines Introduces Bill Demanding Improved Electronic Health Record System For Montana Veterans Before Rollout Continues

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced legislation that would prevent the continued implementation of the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities until significant improvements are made to the system. 

“Montana veterans put everything on the line in service to our nation – we need to ensure that their access to health care is not jeopardized by the Biden administration’s inability to properly implement the EHRM program. These failures need to be swiftly and thoroughly addressed so the VA can fulfill its commitment to serve our American heroes,” Daines said.

Senator Daines co-sponsored the legislation with Senators Moran (Kansas), Boozman (Ark.), Cassidy, (La.), Rounds (S.D.), Tillis (N.C.), Blackburn (Tenn.), Cramer (N.D.), Tuberville (Ala.), Risch (Idaho), Crapo (Idaho), and Braun (Ind.).

Full bill text can be found HERE.

In January, Senator Daines sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough and Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General Michael Missal concerning the systematic failures of the EHRM program.

Last week, the Department of Veterans Affairs responded to the letter declining to answer any of Senator Daines’ questions and refused to provide any of the relevant documents the Senator requested. 


BACKGROUND:

The EHR system was implemented at five medical centers since 2020 and has been a factor in jeopardizing veterans personal health and well-being as well as decreased productivity and employee morale. Additionally, the system has faced system outages, put nearly 150 patients at risk and more than doubled in cost. After the VA Inspector General (IG) released a report in July outlining major concerns with the new system, VA paused further implementation of the EHR system. That pause was later extended until June of 2023.

The Department of Veterans Affairs EHRM Standardization and Accountability Act would establish a rigorous list of requirements that VA must meet before the EHR system can be implemented at more VA medical centers.

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Contact: Matt LloydRachel DumkeBlake Kernen