Although the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was a no-show for a House committee hearing this week to address concerns about the implementation of Cerner Corp.’s electronic health record system, VA officials did find time to stop by the Senate. But the department’s message was that it sees no need for more oversight of the 10-year, $10 billion contract.
The VA opposed a Senate bill that would create an 11-member independent advisory committee with clinical, IT and managerial expertise.
Teresa Boyd, assistant deputy undersecretary for health for clinical operations, told the Senate that “the department is already fulfilling the aims of the bill” without additional oversight.
“There are already multiple avenues for robust congressional oversight, including regular briefings and congressional hearings on the progress of the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) effort, engagement with (the Government Accountability Office), regular statutory reporting requirements and responses to congressional inquiries.” Boyd said in testimony. “We believe the additional layers of review by an 11-member advisory committee would not only be unnecessary, given the above, but would also be unduly complicated and distract attention and resources from our core EHRM efforts and partnerships.”
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Date: May 29, 2019
Source: Business Journal
