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CalVet seeks $5.2 million for electronic health record phase; deferred maintenance ask withdrawn amid budget constraints
Summary
California Department of Veterans Affairs told the subcommittee it requested $5.225 million one-time for phase 3 of an electronic health care record project; the department's January requests for veteran homes deferred maintenance and extra administrative staff were withdrawn in the May Revision.
Legislators heard proposals from the California Department of Veterans Affairs to continue a multi-phase electronic health record project for the state veteran homes and to note the administration’s decision to withdraw two January budget requests.
John Spangler, legislative deputy secretary at CalVet, told the subcommittee the May Revision includes a one-time $5,225,000 General Fund request to implement phase 3 of the CalVet electronic health care record project (CARE). Completing phase 3 would allow CalVet to maintain veterans’ health information in a consolidated modern system; CalVet staff said the anticipated completion date is October 2026.
Spangler also said the department’s January proposals for veteran homes deferred maintenance ($819,000) and additional administrative support ($285,000) were withdrawn in the May Revision due to the state’s fiscal condition. The Department of Finance confirmed CalVet proposed withdrawing those items to generate budget solutions in a constrained year.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office commented that deferred maintenance funding is generally sound policy because delaying repairs can create higher costs later and might risk facilities and services for residents. The LAO recommended the Legislature weigh the benefits of a small augmentation against potential long-term costs and risk to veteran homes’ operations.
CalVet also flagged a trailer bill request to provide explicit statutory authority to continue certain federal background checks; Spangler said California must adopt statutory language so CalGov agencies may continue to use federal FBI background-check databases for employee and volunteer screenings. CalVet said the statutory change is required by the federal authorities and has a statutory deadline of December 31, 2026.
Ending note: No formal vote occurred. The department’s EHR funding request for phase 3 remains in the May Revision; the deferred maintenance and administrative requests were withdrawn for deficit‑mitigation purposes and remain subject to legislative consideration in final budget negotiations.
