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 the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that the strategic review of the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) Program has concluded.

“I commend VA for pausing the Electronic Health Record Modernization program to solve the serious problems found in Spokane,” said Ranking Member Bost. “The Secretary made the right call. Going forward, VA must demonstrate to Congress and veterans that this review was successful, and those problems are fixed. Adjusting the organizational chart is not enough. The electronic health record must improve. We also expect transparency and reliability in the schedule and cost estimate. This is already a multibillion-dollar effort. We owe it to veterans and taxpayers to make certain that it is a good and fruitful investment.”

“I appreciate the Department of Veterans Affairs’ efforts to modernize their electronic health record system, and I am grateful they are working to fix problems in the system. However, I am reluctant to commit to additional spending or expansion into other facilities until such time we have seen a fully functional system at the lone hospital where it was introduced over a year ago. Billions of dollars have already been spent and we have yet to see a workable product. Our veterans are heroes, and we must ensure that they receive the mental and physical health benefits they desperately need in a timely manner. I hope Secretary McDonough will continue to be transparent on this matter, because our veterans deserve the best, timely medical care possible,” said TM Ranking Member Rosendale.

“The VA made the right decision when it paused the EHRM and ordered a strategic review. Problems that have been identified at Mann-Grandstaff must be resolved before the system is deployed at additional VA sites. Transparency around the findings of the strategic review and accountability within the VA will be vital for righting the ship, as well as delivering Eastern Washington veterans the care they deserve,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers.