Us Congress House Bill HB592

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/27/23
• Refer: 1/27/23
• Refer: 2/16/23

Caption

Department of Veterans Affairs Electronic Health Record Modernization Improvement Act

Impact

The expected impact of HB592 centers on ensuring that the electronic health record system used by the Veterans Affairs is reliable and adequately prepares facilities before implementation. By enforcing these conditions, the bill aims to enhance patient safety and experience by preventing any potential adverse effects on care quality, patient wait times, and overall healthcare delivery. This could lead to a more efficient and effective electronic health system for veterans, improving their access to timely health services.

Summary

House Bill 592, titled the 'Department of Veterans Affairs Electronic Health Record Modernization Improvement Act,' aims to place a prohibition on activities related to the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program until certain improvement and facility readiness certifications are completed. The bill mandates that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs can only commence program activity at facilities of the Veterans Health Administration after submitting a written certification that the electronic health record system meets specified improvement objectives, which include achieving a monthly uptime of 99.9% for consecutive months and completing necessary modifications according to existing contracts.

Contention

However, the implementation of this bill could be a contentious issue among stakeholders. Some veterans' advocacy groups and healthcare professionals may argue that the stringent requirements could delay the modernization efforts, thereby hindering improvements that are desperately needed in some areas. Concerns may also arise regarding the readiness of certain facilities which might not meet all the proposed standards immediately, leading to possible disparities in service delivery within the Veterans Affairs system.