What Happened?

If you receive care at a veterans' hospital in Cleveland or Anchorage, your medical records are now managed through a new electronic system that went live Oct. 24. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) activated the system at both sites, completing its planned hospital deployments for the year, according to a Legis1 review of the VA health records rollout and the debate surrounding it. ​

The National Association of VA Physicians and Dentists (NAVAPD) wants Congress to halt further deployments. In a letter, the group asked lawmakers to pause new deployments of Oracle Health's system until three conditions are met:

  • Safety review: An independent patient-safety assessment at existing sites.
  • Fixes: Correction of critical deficiencies.
  • Readiness: Documented readiness before additional hospitals adopt the system.

The system is now in use at 19 VA medical centers.

Why Does it Matter to Me?

The physicians' group says doctors have experienced delayed referrals, disrupted clinical workflows, and difficulty accessing patient information. Those are concerns raised by the group, not independently verified findings of harm from the latest deployments.

Cost is also a concern. Nextgov/FCW reported that VA increased its Oracle contract ceiling by approximately $17 billion, from about $10 billion to $27 billion. A higher contract ceiling does not mean the full amount has been spent or committed.

The House Veterans' Affairs Committee voted 19-0 on Sept. 2 to subpoena Oracle Executive Chairman Larry Ellison and CEO Mike Sicilia over the project's cost and status. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) also pressed VA Secretary Doug Collins for answers in an Oct. 13 press release.

Both Sides, Now

The physicians' group argues VA should pause deployments until an independent safety review is completed, critical deficiencies are corrected and readiness is documented. The VA Office of Inspector General, the department's internal watchdog, has documented problems with the system. On July 14, 2022, it reported that the system's "unknown queue" caused multiple patient-harm events.

On March 21, 2024, the watchdog found that the rollout contributed to ongoing pharmacy-related patient-safety risks nationally and at the VA Central Ohio Healthcare System in Columbus.

VA says software improvements and a better deployment process have positioned the program for broader use. The department said the Oct. 24 launches met its goal of bringing the system to 13 additional hospitals this year. Congress has oversight authority and could impose limits on the program through legislation.

What Happens Next?

The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 18, titled "VA Accountability and Transparency: Examining the Current and Future Path of VA's Electronic Health Record Modernization Program." Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) chairs the committee, and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) is its ranking member.

Any legislative limit on future deployments would require congressional action beyond the hearing. Meanwhile, VA plans to bring the system to 26 more medical centers in 2027, beginning with facilities in Wisconsin and Michigan in January.

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