2-08-2013

DoD/VA Abandon Plans for Joint Electronic Health Records  

The Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that they are abandoning plans to create a single electronic health record for active duty military and veterans. FRA is concerned about this decision having strongly supported the Administration’s call to create an integrated Electronic Health Record (iEHR), a major step towards a long-standing goal of establishing a truly seamless transition from military to veteran status. The iEHR would permit a DoD, VA, and private health care providers immediate access to a veteran’s health data to expedite service and prevent redundant exams and visits to providers. The alternative plan is to standardize health records data in the department’s existing systems in order to save money and implementation time.