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VA officials defend $2.2 billion electronic health record request and stress need for standardization
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Summary
Witnesses and Secretary Collins discussed the VA's electronic health record (EHR) modernization program and a multi‑billion‑dollar request. Witnesses praised continued investment but lawmakers and the secretary acknowledged implementation challenges, the need for standardization, and mandatory training for staff at rollout sites.
Members of the House Appropriations panel and Department of Veterans Affairs leaders discussed the VA’s electronic health record modernization program and the department’s request for additional funding.
An opening witness praised the department’s proposed investment in electronic health records, saying, "I appreciate the continued investment in electronic health care record modernization with a $2,200,000,000 request." The witness also said implementation to date has been "challenging to say the least," citing cost overruns and schedule slips.
Secretary Collins told the committee the VA has restarted a momentum-focused approach to the rollout and emphasized standardization across sites, saying earlier implementations sometimes operated as "1‑off" projects that complicated training and deployment. He described efforts to standardize configurations so trainers and integrators can deploy the system at more sites without re‑tooling at each location.
Members asked about mandatory staff training and whether the VA will enforce attendance. Collins said training compliance is not optional: "This is not an option. This is not an option show up, feel like you wanna do this isn't happy go lucky. This is you will get it done because our veterans need it." He said the department plans to add 20–25 sites next year if momentum continues and budget allows.
Lawmakers and the secretary emphasized that the program must balance speed with effective training and interoperability so patients and clinicians can rely on the system for care and benefits processing.
