Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Calls for Stronger Accountability Provisions in VA’s Contract Negotiations with Oracle Health
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Calls for Stronger Accountability Provisions in VA’s Contract Negotiations with Oracle Health
Three members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee are urging the Department of Veterans Affairs to include stronger accountability provisions in its ongoing contract negotiations with Oracle Health for the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program.
The current contract is set to expire on May 16, and Senators Sherrod Brown, Jon Tester, and Patty Murray are pushing for increased oversight to protect taxpayers and veterans.
In a letter to VA Deputy Secretary Tanya Bradsher, the committee members highlighted the need for stronger accountability measures following performance failures by Oracle Health in the past. These failures included system crashes, software issues leading to patient safety incidents, and inadequate training programs.
The senators commended the VA for renegotiating the contract in May 2023 to include higher standards for system reliability and contractor responsiveness, as well as larger penalties for underperformance. The new contract structure allows for annual reviews of Oracle Health’s progress and the opportunity to adjust terms as needed.
Despite some improvements in Oracle Health’s performance, the senators emphasized the importance of continued oversight to ensure that veterans receive the care they deserve and that taxpayers are getting value for their money.
Last year, Senators Brown, Tester, and Murray introduced the EHR RESET Act to overhaul the EHRM program and improve accountability and transparency. The legislation aims to address challenges with the system and program, with bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives.
As the VA continues its contract negotiations with Oracle Health, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee is calling for enhanced accountability measures to protect veterans and taxpayers and ensure the delivery of quality services.