WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has unveiled the next phase of its initiative to modernize health care records for veterans by expanding the Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR) system deployment to nine additional sites in 2026. This announcement is part of an accelerated deployment timeline aimed at achieving full implementation across all VA facilities by 2031.
The nine newly announced sites include medical centers in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Alaska. They are as follows:
- Cincinnati VAMC-Fort Thomas (Fort Thomas, KY)
- Chillicothe VAMC (Chillicothe, OH)
- Cincinnati VAMC (Cincinnati, OH)
- Dayton VAMC (Dayton, OH)
- Louis Stokes Cleveland VAMC (Cleveland, OH)
- Fort Wayne VAMC (Fort Wayne, IN)
- Marion VAMC (Marion, IN)
- Richard L. Roudebush VAMC (Indianapolis, IN)
- Alaska VA Healthcare System (Anchorage, AK)
Planning and site selection for the new deployments included collaboration among officials from VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office, local medical leaders, VA clinicians, and Oracle Health, the electronic health record vendor.
Unified Health Care Delivery
The Federal EHR system, already in use within the Department of Defense (DOD), is designed to create a unified platform for healthcare delivery. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins emphasized the advantages of this system, saying, “We are excited to bring Veterans in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Alaska a modern medical record system that will result in improvements to care, coordination, and convenience. The Federal EHR is integrated across all VA and Department of Defense components, enabling seamless data exchange while enhancing care, safety, and customer service for patients.”
The system offers a centralized medical record for both VA and DOD patients, ensuring that veterans and service members receive streamlined and cohesive care. By standardizing workflows and supporting data exchange across the two departments, the initiative aims to reduce administrative burdens and improve the overall patient experience.
Accelerated Implementation
The addition of these nine sites follows a December 2024 announcement that VA facilities in Michigan would also join the deployment schedule for 2026. These facilities include the VA Battle Creek Medical Center, VA Detroit Healthcare System, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, and VA Saginaw Healthcare System. Altogether, 13 VA sites are slated to integrate the Federal EHR system in 2026.
To improve the efficiency of future deployments, the VA has adopted a market-based approach to site selection. This strategy ensures resources are focused on deploying several sites concurrently without overburdening the system’s workforce. Furthermore, the department has committed to implementing a standardized baseline of products, workflows, and integrations based on recommendations from subject matter experts.
Broader Implications
The Federal EHR system is expected to enhance the safety, reliability, and transparency of medical care for millions of veterans nationwide. Additionally, it aligns the VA’s technological framework with the DOD’s, furthering efforts to create a cohesive and modernized federal healthcare infrastructure.
Despite its promise, the effort highlights significant logistical and operational challenges associated with rolling out such a large-scale initiative. Lessons learned from initial deployment phases will play a critical role in ensuring smooth transitions at future sites.
With a clear focus on leveraging technology to enhance care, the VA’s Federal EHR modernization program reflects a broader commitment to meeting the evolving needs of veterans while maintaining its promise of high-quality service.
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