The VA is struggling with its electronic health record system overhaul, and this bill is designed to fix the problems. Right now, the Department of Veterans Affairs is trying to modernize how it stores and manages patient health information using software from Oracle Cerner, but the rollout has been messy. This bill pumps the brakes and demands better performance before the VA can expand the system to more facilities.

Here's what changes: The VA has to hit certain performance targets at hospitals already using the new system before rolling it out anywhere else. The bill also creates a new management office and a high-ranking official position specifically to oversee this modernization effort. Within about nine months, the VA must stop paying Oracle Cerner for training and consulting services related to the health record system—essentially cutting ties with the contractor's support team. The VA also has to hire one senior official to lead all negotiations with contractors on this project, giving them clear authority and accountability.

Finally, the bill requires the VA to bring in an independent company to audit and verify that the modernization is actually working as intended. The VA also has to start reporting more detailed information every quarter about how the new system is affecting staff—things like whether employees are staying in their jobs or leaving because of the changes. For veterans, this means the VA is trying to get its act together on a system that affects their medical care, though the real impact depends on whether these oversight measures actually improve things.

EHR Program RESET Act of 2023

Tester, Jon

Electronic Health Record Program Restructure, Enhance, Strengthen, and Empower Technology Act of 2023 or the EHR Program RESET Act of 2023 This bill establishes within the Veterans Health Administration a program to modernize the electronic health record and other relevant health information technology systems of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill also establishes the Electronic Health Record and Health Information Technology Modernization Program Management Office and a position of Deputy Chief Information Officer for Electronic Health Record and Health Information Technology to implement the program. The VA must exceed or meet certain standards at its facilities that are using the Oracle Cerner product before it may initiate new deployments of the product. The bill requires additional information to be included in the quarterly updates on the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program, such as data on retention, morale, and turnover at sites using the new electronic health record. Within 275 days after the enactment of this bill, the VA must terminate all of its contracts with Oracle Cerner for training and change management related to electronic health record modernization and cease to issue task orders for such activities from Oracle Cerner or its subcontractors. The VA must designate one senior official (GS-15 or higher) as the lead negotiator on all current and future contracts relating to the new electronic health record. The Chief Acquisition Officer of the VA must contract with an entity to independently verify and validate the modernization efforts of certain VA programs (e.g., the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program).