VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act of 2021
Jun 23, 2022
Statute: 136 Stat. 1303
Became law: Jun 23, 2022
Jun 23, 2022
Statute: 136 Stat. 1303
Became law: Jun 23, 2022
Summary
Makes the Department of Veterans Affairs regularly report to Congress on the costs, performance, and safety of its new electronic health records program.
What problem does this solve?
The government is spending a lot of money on a new health record system for veterans, but it's hard for Congress to know if it's working well or how much it truly costs. This law requires the VA to provide regular, detailed reports on costs and performance, making the project more transparent.
What does this law do?
Mandates quarterly cost reports
Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to send Congress a report every quarter detailing all costs of the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program.
Requires detailed performance tracking
Directs the VA to report quarterly on performance metrics, key indicators, and patient safety incidents related to the new electronic health record system at each facility.
Specifies cost categories
Reports must include all program expenses, including funds for infrastructure changes and payments to consultants and support contractors.
Defines when reporting ends
Specifies that the reporting requirement will end 90 days after the VA Secretary certifies to Congress that the EHRM program has been fully put into place.
Who does this affect?
- Veterans
- Department of Veterans Affairs employees
What is the real world impact?
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Increases congressional oversight
Ensures Congress can monitor the progress and spending of the expensive Electronic Health Record Modernization program, helping to prevent cost overruns and performance failures.
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Improves veteran care
By tracking performance and patient safety issues, the law aims to ensure the new system helps, not harms, the quality of healthcare that veterans receive.
When does this start?
This law sets several deadlines for the Department of Veterans Affairs to begin reporting to Congress.
First reports due
The first reports on program costs and performance metrics are due to Congress no later than 90 days after the law is enacted.
Ongoing quarterly reports
After the first report, subsequent reports must be submitted every 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter.
End of reporting requirement
The requirement to submit reports ends 90 days after the Secretary of Veterans Affairs certifies that the new health record program is fully implemented.