Electronic Health Records: VAs Efforts Raise Concerns about Interoperability Goals and Measures, Duplication with DOD, and Future Plans

VA operates one of the nations largest health care systems, serving millions of veterans each year. For almost two decades, the department has undertaken a patchwork of initiatives with DOD to increase interoperability between their respective electronic health record systems. During much of this time, VA has also been planning to modernize its system. While the department has made progress in these efforts, it has also faced significant information technology challenges that contributed to GAOs designation of VA health care as a high risk area.This statement summarizes GAOs August 2015 report (GAO-15-530) on VAs efforts to achieve interoperability with DODs electronic health records system. It also summarizes key content from GAOs reports on duplication, overlap, and fragmentation of federal government programs. Lastly, this statement provides updated information on VAs actions in response to GAOs recommendation calling for an interoperability and electronic health record system plan.