Full Breakdown
VA Resumes Electronic Health Record Rollout After Three-Year Pause
4/14/2026, 10:59:07 AM
Overview of the EHR Rollout
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has resumed the rollout of its Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, a multi-billion-dollar initiative that had been paused for three years due to persistent issues. The VA initiated the deployment of the Oracle-Cerner EHR at four health care facilities in Michigan—Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Detroit, and Saginaw—marking the first wave of a planned accelerated schedule for 2026. This deployment is part of a broader effort to modernize the VA's health care technology, which is expected to be fully operational across 170 sites by 2031.
Background and Context
The EHR modernization project, one of the largest IT contracts in the federal government, has faced significant challenges since its inception. Initially estimated at $10 billion, costs have ballooned to between $16.1 billion and nearly $50 billion. The project stalled under multiple administrations, with the VA entering a "reset" period in April 2023 to address usability issues and system outages reported by medical staff. A Government Accountability Office report in March 2025 indicated that only 13% of VA staff felt the new system improved efficiency, while 58% believed it increased patient safety risks.
Key Figures and Groups
Deputy VA Secretary Paul Lawrence has been a prominent figure in the EHR modernization project, asserting that the system is now meeting uptime targets and has seen improvements in reliability. VA Secretary Doug Collins criticized the previous administration's handling of the EHR rollout, describing it as an "unmitigated disaster" and attributing issues to excessive customization at local facilities. The EHR contract was originally awarded to Cerner in May 2018, which was later acquired by Oracle in June 2022.
Official Statements and Responses
In a statement regarding the Michigan deployments, Lawrence emphasized the progress made toward a unified electronic health record that enhances care delivery. The VA has also announced plans for further deployments in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Alaska throughout 2026. The department has restructured its decision-making process, consolidating oversight into a single council to improve accountability and expedite decisions.
Criticism and Opposition
Despite the VA's optimistic outlook, there are significant concerns regarding the EHR system's effectiveness. Critics, including members of Congress, have expressed skepticism about the project's management and the potential impact of ongoing legal issues, such as the recent charges against a former VA EHR executive for concealing gifts from contractors. These developments have raised questions about the integrity and oversight of the EHR rollout.
What's Next
The VA is set to continue its EHR deployment schedule, with additional rollouts planned for June and August 2026. The ongoing scrutiny from congressional committees and the Justice Department's investigations may influence the pace and success of future deployments. The VA is also seeking an increase in discretionary funding for the EHR project in its fiscal 2027 budget request, highlighting the ongoing commitment to modernizing veteran health care services.
