SE Kansas News

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran has led a collaborative request for an updated schedule and cost estimate from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program. The request has been supported by a bipartisan and bicameral group including key leaders from the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs and Appropriations Committees.

The call for an updated estimate comes after the VA announced a new accelerated schedule for the EHRM program, intending to incorporate nine additional VA medical centers by 2026. This decision follows a recommendation from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for an updated cost estimate before proceeding.

Senator Moran emphasized the necessity of having a reliable cost estimate, stating, “Without a reliable cost estimate, VA risks budget overruns, schedule delays, and diminished congressional trust. Compliance with these laws, directives, and GAO recommendations is a critical step to ensuring EHRM’s success and accountability."

Initially, in 2019, the EHRM program was estimated to cost $16.1 billion over ten years. A subsequent independent assessment by the Institute for Defense Analysis in 2021 placed the potential cost at up to $50 billion. Despite an operational pause lifted in April 2023, the VA has yet to submit a current cost estimate, as required by an established framework of federal laws and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directives.

In a letter addressed to Secretary Collins, the leaders requested a comprehensive schedule and cost estimate by September 30, 2025, stressing the VA's obligation to comply with applicable legal and budgetary frameworks. Notably, the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 alongside OMB directives and the Federal Acquisition Regulation require such transparency and accountability to ensure prudent management of taxpayer resources and alignment with the VA's mission to enhance veteran healthcare.

GAO has repeatedly advised the VA to update EHRM cost estimates, citing history and oversight efficiency deficiencies. Their March 2025 report highlighted the importance of revising the EHRM's modernization lifecycle cost estimate to account for prior deployment halts and subsequent program changes.

The coordinated request highlights the ongoing requirement for transparency and proper oversight, underpinning Congress's ability to evaluate the program's readiness and safeguarding veterans' and taxpayers' interests as it moves forward.