VA Electronic Health Record Modernization Costs Soar to $48 Billion Amid Safety Concerns

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is significantly increasing the contract ceiling for its electronic health record (EHR) modernization system with Oracle, from approximately $10 billion to $27 billion, with total costs potentially reaching $48 billion. Lawmakers expressed concerns during a House Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing regarding the necessity of the increase and the system's safety and effectiveness, citing reports of around 300 dermatology patients at a VA facility having their referrals canceled after the Oracle system's implementation.