President Biden is expected to sign into law the VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act, a bill introduced by Congressman Frank J. Mrvan, Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization.
Previously, the House approved Rep. Mrvan’s legislation by a voice vote in November of 2021, and the Senate approved Rep. Mrvan’s legislation without an amendment by a voice vote on May 26, 2022.
The VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act aims to improve the management of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) project. In the past year, the VA Office of the Inspector General has found that VA is not conducting reliable and complete cost estimates for infrastructure upgrades and costs under the EHRM program. This legislation will require VA to provide Congress with quarterly reports that assess the full costs, performance metrics, and outcomes.
“As Chairman of the Technology Modernization Subcommittee, I have seen the great need for Congress to conduct oversight and have accurate information to ensure that the Electronic Health Record Modernization program is able to meet the needs of our veterans,” said Congressman Mrvan. “I thank the leaders of the Senate for also seeing the value of this legislation, and as we move forward, I look forward to obtaining the requested information and continuing our work to ensure that all veterans receive the world-class health care they deserve.”
This is Rep. Mrvan’s second piece of legislation that President Biden has signed into law. Previously, on September 30, 2021, President Biden signed the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2021 into law, a bill that extended various veteran benefits, including certain transportation benefits and the VA’s authority to administer dental insurance for veterans, their dependents, and certain survivors who are enrolled in the VA health care system.
