Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT) are promoting a healthcare bill that could potentially weaken a key Veterans Affairs (VA) reform implemented by former President Donald Trump. The VA, being the largest health system in the country, has faced challenges with its health record management system. During the Trump administration, efforts were made to update veterans’ health records for a seamless transition from the Defense Department to the VA, which was considered a significant reform for veterans by the 45th president.
In 2018, a contract was signed with Cerner, now owned by Oracle, to modernize the VA’s health IT system and ensure smooth care transitions for veterans. However, despite the progress made in updating the VA’s electronic health record system, lawmakers are now pushing legislation that could undermine Trump’s efforts to improve veterans’ healthcare.
House and Senate Veterans Committee leaders have released the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvements Act, aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery for veterans and their families. Rep. Matt Rosendale, who chairs the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, is supporting this legislation, which may potentially impact Trump’s initiatives to improve the VA health record system.
The proposed legislation includes provisions, such as the EHRM RESET Act, which are concerning as they could delay or jeopardize the progress made in modernizing electronic records at the VA. Despite positive feedback on the EHR system deployment by VA Secretary Denis McDonough, there are worries that certain sections of the legislation may hinder the VA’s progress in improving healthcare for veterans.
There are concerns that provisions in the legislation could put the EHRM program at risk, especially when advancements have been made to enhance the process at the VA. It is unclear if House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) will support the passage of this legislation with contentious provisions, but there is pressure from Veterans Affairs lawmakers to pass the bill before Memorial Day.
