As Congress tries to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs troubled Oracle Cerner EHR rollout, the VA and government watchdogs say the proposals aren't likely to fix the issues with the system, FedScoop reported April 20.
The top acquisition officer within the VA and the national security contracting director at the Government Accountability Office criticized Congress' proposal, specifically one that requires the department to hire a chief management officer, stating that the new role would have no effect on improving the rollout.
Shelby Oakley, director of contracting and national security acquisitions at the GAO said during a House VA committee legislative hearing on April 19 that creating a CMO position within the VA is not a good enough solution on its own.
She also said there needs to be more discipline when it comes to the VA's Oracle Cerner EHR program and that a chief management officer position wouldn't really change things.
"It feels sometimes like the EHRM program is being run on 'good vibes' which just doesn't work in the long run, we need better processes in place," said Ms. Oakley.
The VA also said the role wouldn't change the outcome of the rollout as it has already increased its oversight on the program.
This hearing comes shortly after the VA said it would put a pause on the $16B EHR rollout in order to renegotiate a new contract with Oracle, Cerner's parent company.