***Click here for audio.***
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), joined SVAC Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS) and SVAC Chairman Jon Tester (D-MT) in introducing the VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act, legislation to increase transparency surrounding the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program.
This summer, the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) released three reports that raised concerns surrounding the deployment of the EHRM program. Two of the reports raised issues with cost estimates and reporting. The VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act would hold the VA accountable and increase transparency by requiring the VA Secretary to submit periodic reports to Congress regarding the costs, performance metrics and outcomes for EHRM.
“If executed correctly, the Electronic Health Record Modernization program has remarkable potential,” said Senator Cramer. “Our bipartisan bill ensures transparency and proper implementation of the program for the benefit of veterans and taxpayers.”
“The VA, and consequently our nation, has invested a great deal of time and money into the VA Electronic Health Record Modernization program,” said Senator Moran. “The potential benefits of this program are tremendous, but we have to get it right. This legislation ensures the VA is providing the proper transparency throughout the EHRM implementation to better allow this committee to conduct oversight during the deployment process to ensure veterans receive the care they deserve and hold the VA accountable for taxpayer dollars.”
“As Chairman, I remain laser-focused on making sure the VA electronic health record project delivers real value to Department medical staff and the veterans they serve,” said Senator Tester. “This commonsense bill is part of our ongoing push to increase accountability and transparency of this new program, and I thank Ranking Member Moran for working with me to ensure we hit the mark on behalf of veterans and taxpayers.”
Senators Cramer, Moran, and Tester are joined on the bill by Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Mike Braun (R-IN). Representatives Mark Takano (D-CA), Mike Bost (R-IL) and Frank J. Mrvan (D-IN) introduced the companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, which passed the full chamber last month.
