Press Releases

Today, Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), released the following statements after VA Secretary Denis McDonough announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will temporarily suspend implementation of the Electronic Health Record Modernization program for up to three months in order to conduct a strategic review.

“I am grateful that Secretary McDonough listened to our concerns and to the concerns of veterans and VA employees in Eastern Washington,” said Ranking Member Bost. “Pausing the rollout of the new Cerner electronic health record is a good call. This effort could revolutionize VA care but it is not on the right track today. VA must fix the serious problems in Spokane. VA must also fix the process, strategy, and management challenges that led to those problems before moving forward anywhere else.”

“It is a disservice to veterans and taxpayers to continue to spend billions of dollars a year on such a flawed program,” said TM Ranking Member Rosendale. “It is not too much to ask that the Cerner electronic health record pass a simple test, that proves it will help doctors and nurses deliver quality and timely care to veterans, before it can be deployed anywhere else. If it cannot do that, we should not continue to spend on the contract.”

“I am encouraged to see Secretary McDonough respond swiftly to my calls for review of the broken electronic health record system that has caused new stress on veterans and VA staff in Eastern Washington,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers. “This decision was the right one, and I’m hopeful we can work together towards our common goal of improving the lives of our veterans.”