Former Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, pledged to tackle long-standing problems with the agency's Oracle Health EHR system if confirmed, NextGov reported Jan. 21.
Speaking at a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing, Mr. Collins emphasized his commitment to fixing delays, technical issues, and safety concerns in the rollout of the Oracle Health EHR system.
"There's no reason in the world we cannot get this done," Mr. Collins said.
Mr. Collins criticized the slow pace of the rollout and its high costs, stressing the need for an efficient and reliable system to improve care for veterans transitioning from active duty.
"We've got to get our health records straight so that we can have an easy handoff," he said.
If confirmed, Mr. Collins said he plans to collaborate with Oracle Health, medical staff, and VA facilities to identify and remove barriers to deployment. He also questioned the Biden administration's timeline, suggesting that the rollout could happen faster if managed properly.
In 2020, the VA began transitioning to Oracle Health's EHR system to align with the Department of Defense's similar system and improve coordination of care for veterans. However, the deployment faced significant obstacles, including cost overruns, technical glitches, and risks to patient safety. These issues prompted the VA to pause further rollouts in April 2023 after deploying the system to only five facilities.
In December, the Biden administration announced plans to resume deployments by mid-2026, starting with facilities in Michigan. Still, lawmakers from both parties have expressed concerns about delays and escalating costs.