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Subcommittee Hears Support for VA Inventory Modernization, VA Says Single System Could Replace Multiple Legacy Systems
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Summary
VA witnesses and veterans groups supported legislation to authorize a modernized hospital inventory system. The department said multiple inventory systems now cause data disparity and that a unified solution and training would be required.
The House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee examined H.R. 3494, the VA Hospital Inventory Management System Authorization Act, which would authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs to purchase or develop a modernized inventory management system for VA hospitals.
Acting VA IT official Sherry Waters told the committee that the VA currently operates multiple inventory systems—"3 systems that are running, one of which has many instances"—and that the multiplicity causes disparities and difficulty collecting consistent data across the enterprise.
"We will have at the end of this initiative, we will have a single system that is providing asset and inventory management across the enterprise," Waters said, adding the department has built a dynamic set of requirements and is working on procurement processes.
Ms. Laura Duke, VHA CFO, and other VA witnesses said they support the intent of inventory modernization "subject to some amendments and the availability of appropriations." The American Legion also backed the legislation, citing past supply‑chain failures that produced waste and delayed care.
Committee members asked how the VA would train staff on a new system. Waters said anyone required to use the system "will receive the needed training" and emphasized human‑centered design to minimize training burdens.
Members also raised oversight concerns. The American Legion pointed to waste observed in certain supply chain operations and urged that any new system prevent delays that could affect surgical schedules or patient care. VA witnesses said a disciplined, incremental approach is being used to avoid past large‑program failures and that the department has performed assessments of prior solicitations and pilots.
Next steps: VA committed to provide additional documentation on previous assessments and to brief the committee on incremental implementation plans. Members asked for more detail before the subcommittee advances the bill to full committee consideration.
