In an effort to enhance accountability and ensure the safety of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Electronic Health Records (EHR) Modernization, three senators have urged for increased oversight in the VA’s contract renegotiation with Oracle Health, citing numerous system errors that have impacted veterans’ care. The concerns were raised after an EHR software release in February resulted in pharmacy-focused updates with code errors, leading to the transmission of incorrect unique drug identifiers across EHR sites. Despite some improvements, there are still challenges affecting veteran care, prompting the senators to call for additional supervisory provisions in the contract to ensure that Oracle Health meets its commitments.
The Senators emphasized the need to protect veterans and taxpayers by adding provisions in the new contractual structure that address concerns about Oracle Health’s delivery of the “Block 10” software version. The Oracle Cerner system has faced scrutiny from congressional lawmakers, with some questioning its viability and suggesting it should be scrapped, while others have expressed confidence in the system’s progress. The challenges faced by Oracle Health have had financial implications, with the $28 billion purchase of Cerner resulting in loss of customers, decreased sales, and significant job cuts.
Despite setbacks, Oracle achieved a milestone with the final go-live of the Department of Defense EHR, MHS GENESIS, at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in Chicago, making the Oracle EHR operational at all Department of Defense installations globally. The senators have requested a summary of the new provisions and terms that will apply after the contract renegotiations in May 2024, as well as an overview of how the agreement in May 2023 has improved outcomes for the VA and stakeholders.
In conclusion, the senators’ call for greater oversight reflects ongoing concerns about the VA’s EHR system and the need for accountability in the contract renegotiation with Oracle Health. Despite challenges, there have been some improvements, but additional measures are needed to ensure that veterans receive the care they deserve and that Oracle Health fulfills its commitments. The financial implications of Oracle’s challenges underscore the importance of effective management and oversight in implementing the VA’s EHR Modernization program.
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https://www.disabledveterans.org/senators-urge-new-oversight-measures-for-vas-oracle-contract-review/
