Senator Murray Presses VA Deputy Secretary Nominee on EHR Implementation, Staffing Cuts, Care for Women Veterans

Hearing

"I want to start by talking about what I know will be a large focus for you if confirmed to this role--that is, the Electronic Health Record modernization. The staff in Spokane and Walla Walla, where EHR has been deployed, has really worked hard and tirelessly to learn this new system--and as you know, it has really put a strain on providers and on our veterans. They are the current experts on this system. But I continue to hear from people on the ground, in my communities, that their feedback is not being taken into account or even heard.

In this role, you will have the responsibility to oversee EHR implementation and make sure we get this right. How will you ensure that our veterans themselves, and the providers, are being heard and their feedback is actually taken into account during this modernization effort?

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As you know, I will be in very close touch with you on this as we work through it, but I just want to make it very clear: staffing cuts are unacceptable, and I hope and expect for there to be a timely resolution to the concerns on the ground from the providers that we're hearing about."

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