U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Veterans' Affairs

05/25/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/26/2021 06:38

Chairman Takano, Mrvan Statement on VA’s OIG Report Detailing Financial Mismanagement of EHRM Project

May 25, 2021

Chairman Takano, Mrvan Statement on VA's OIG Report Detailing Financial Mismanagement of EHRM Project

Press Contact

Jenni Geurink (Takano) | 202-819-4684

Kevin Spicer (Mrvan) | 202-436-5855

WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Subcommittee on Technology Modernization Chairman Frank J. Mrvan (D-Ind.) released the following statements after VA's Inspector General released its report entitled, 'Deficiencies in Reporting Reliable Physical Infrastructure Cost Estimates for the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) Program'.

'For the past three years, our Committee has repeatedly requested these EHRM cost estimates, but VA has failed to provide them,' said Chairman Takano. 'While I'm heartened by Secretary McDonough's decision to conduct a Strategic Review of the program and decisions that were made during the previous administration, I still have lingering questions. Chairman Mrvan and I will continue to scrutinize this program, its outcomes, budget, and timeline to ensure that veterans and taxpayers receive the highest quality product and ensure responsible use of taxpayer funds.'

'Today's report from VA's Inspector General raises serious questions about the financial management of the EHRM program,' said Chairman Mrvan. 'It appears that decisions were made, whether intentional or not, that obscured the complete costs of the program from Congress and the American people. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, I look forward to discussing Secretary McDonough's Strategic Review findings and plans to address the ongoing issues. We must ensure that veterans get the care they need and deserve and that taxpayer funds are spent and accounted for correctly-especially when it comes to VA's multibillion dollar effort to update its electronic health record system.'

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