Veterans Ask: Can the VA Finally Get Health Records Right?
The Department of Veterans Affairs is charging forward with its massive overhaul of the VA’s electronic health record (EHR) system — despite years of technical problems, delays, and serious questions about patient safety.
In early April, VA officials announced the next wave of deployment: 13 new medical centers across the country will transition to the Oracle-Cerner system by early 2026, bringing the VA closer to its goal of full implementation by 2031.
But after billions spent and multiple reports of botched rollouts, veterans have every right to ask: Can the VA finally get this right?
What’s Happening With the EHR Rollout?
The VA’s electronic health record modernization project, launched in 2018, was meant to replace the VA’s aging VistA system and create seamless medical record-sharing between the VA and the Department of Defense (DoD).
Sounds good on paper. But in practice, the rollout has been rocky:
- Technical glitches caused lost patient records and appointment errors.
- Staff reported training shortfalls that left frontline employees scrambling.
- A 2022 VA Inspector General report found that early deployments put patient safety at risk at some sites.
Despite these setbacks, VA leaders say the issues have been corrected and that moving forward now is critical.
Dr. Neil Evans, Acting Program Executive Director for the VA EHR Modernization program, stated:
“We have strengthened our implementation strategy and are confident the system is now ready to serve veterans the way they deserve.”
Which Sites Are Next?
The 13 sites slated for rollout include:
- VA Medical Centers in Tucson, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Milwaukee, and others
- Several outpatient clinics tied to major regional networks
This expansion marks the biggest single wave of site activations since the project’s troubled early years.
(Learn more about the locations and timeline at Military Times.)
Why Veterans Should Stay Alert
The EHR overhaul touches almost every part of your care:
- Appointments
- Prescriptions
- Specialist referrals
- Lab results
- Disability evaluations
If the system doesn’t work as intended, veterans could face missed diagnoses, delayed treatments, or incorrect benefits decisions tied to faulty medical records.
Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), ranking member on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, warned:
“Every veteran deserves the certainty that their health records are safe, accurate, and accessible — anything less is unacceptable.”
What You Should Do Right Now …
If you’re receiving care at one of the new EHR rollout sites, stay proactive:
- Double-check your records
Ask for copies of your key medical documents before the transition. - Confirm appointments and prescriptions
Use My HealtheVet or call your local VA directly to ensure your information is transferred correctly. - Report issues immediately
If something seems off, don’t assume it’s minor. Errors in the new system need to be reported and documented early. - Stay informed
Watch for communications from your local VA about upcoming changes, training sessions, and support resources.
Trust Must Be Earned, Not Assumed
Veterans have been patient. They’ve adapted to changes, delays, and new technologies time and again.
But trust isn’t automatic — it’s earned through action and results.
The VA’s modernization project is a big promise. In the coming months, we’ll see if it finally delivers the seamless, safe, veteran-centered care that’s been promised for years — or if it’s just more bureaucracy in new packaging.
Either way, we’ll be here keeping watch.
