Senator Hassan & Colleagues’ Bipartisan Bill Supporting Veterans’ Health Care Heads to President’s Desk

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Hassan, Jerry Moran (R-KS), Jon Tester (D-MT), and additional colleagues that will increase transparency in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Electronic Health Record Modernization Program. The bill is on the way to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“The VA’s updates to its electronic health record program needs to work for veterans,” said Senator Hassan. “Following issues with how the VA is handling this program, I worked across the aisle with my colleagues to introduce – and now pass – our bill to strengthen oversight and increase transparency. I’m pleased that this legislation is on the way to the President’s desk, and I’ll keep working to strengthen VA health care services for veterans.”

Last summer, the VA Office of Inspector General released three reports that raised concerns surrounding the deployment of the VA Electronic Health Record Modernization 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.

Senator Hassan previously pressed VA Secretary Denis McDonough on the VA’s plan to ensure that VA health care professionals have consistent access to both old and new electronic health records so that veterans do not experience gaps in care.

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