Veterans Affairs
VA deploys new EHR at 3 Indiana-based medical facilities
The latest round of go-lives brings the total number of site rollouts this year to 11.
VA boosts EHR modernization contract with Oracle by $17B
The modified agreement raises the contract’s total value to just under $27 billion.
National crisis and support hotline operations remained consistent despite staffing cuts, watchdog found
Some staff operating mental health support hotlines at the departments of Health and Human Services and Veterans Affairs were subject to reductions in force last year and have not yet been replaced.
VA seeks to extend its Oracle health record contract through 2031
“This action is necessary to continue [electronic health record modernization] deployment activities and associated support services until all VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) and related facilities have fully transitioned to the EHR system,” the department said in a Sam.gov solicitation notice.
Oversight and program management gaps slowing VA’s benefits processing system modernization, OIG says
The watchdog said cost estimate and project planning issues are among the top factors afflicting VA’s overhaul of its legacy Benefits Enterprise Platform.
VA awards Salesforce $1.6B contract for veteran care and services
The contract adds to existing Salesforce deployments for suicide prevention, health care communications and more.
VA expands use of extended reality tech across healthcare operations
Anne Lord Bailey, who leads VA’s Strategic Initiatives Lab, said veterans who have used immersive tech have reported therapeutic benefits that extend beyond the conditions being treated by the headsets.
VA wants more input on proposals to streamline benefits application forms
The Department of Veterans Affairs is sourcing feedback on two proposals to shorten the length of benefits forms but has thus far only received a total of nine comments since the recommendations were posted last month.
AI won’t replace human claims processors, VA officials say, as Democrats worry over staffing levels
Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Ill., said some VA employees report claims processing technologies are producing incorrect information.
VA redesignates LGBTQ+ care coordinators and limits further ‘gender-ideology’ services
VA gave officials 14 days to comply with a June 12 memo that calls for facilities to take additional steps in response to previous executive orders on gender and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
VA’s AI chatbots not designated high-impact, despite clinical use, watchdog says
VA’s Inspector General noted that the agency’s two internal chatbots “are not designed specifically for clinical use,” although they have been deployed for such purposes.
VA deploys new EHR at 4 additional medical facilities
The latest round of go-lives comes as the Department of Veterans Affairs looks to speed up deployments of its new electronic health record system as part of an accelerated rollout schedule.
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VA CIO nominee vows to create program management office
Gary Shatswell, President Donald Trump’s pick to helm VA’s IT operations, told lawmakers creating the office is “one of the first tasks that I will be going after” if confirmed to the role.
EHR restart was ‘phenomenal’ despite persistent challenges at initial sites, VA secretary says
Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins told lawmakers the department has rectified issues with its electronic health record modernization project moving forward and is “going to go back” and address problems at its initial deployment sites.
Federal agencies are rushing into AI without cleaning house first
COMMENTARY | The agencies that prepare their digital house first will get the productivity gains.
Lawmakers propose to establish AI guardrails for VA in FY27 funding
Reps. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., and James Walkinshaw, D-Va., are looking to address concerns about unregulated uses of artificial intelligence in separate amendments offered to the House Fiscal Year 2027 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Bill.
VA still on pace with EHR deployment after rollouts earlier this year, officials say
Other agencies are also looking to iterate on their version of the electronic health record system being used at the VA and DOD — including by bringing it onto ships at sea.
After reductions, VA chief says facilities can 'hire where they need and what they need'
Those facilities must still operate within overall staffing constraints, however.
Trump nominates third VA CIO since the start of his administration
Gary Shatswell, a senior advisor to VA Secretary Doug Collins, was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve in the role of CIO and assistant secretary for information and technology.
House FY27 VA funding bill allocates $3.4B for EHR rollout
The measure, which was voted out of the House Appropriations Committee, withholds 25% of the funds for the EHR modernization project until July 1, 2027, contingent upon VA providing lawmakers with additional information and meeting performance requirements.
