The Department of Veterans Affairs could lose $400 million from its budget for its Cerner EHR modernization project due to the recent halt of the system rollout at other VA medical facilities, FCW reported April 27.
The VA recently said it would not conduct additional deployments of the Cerner EHR system until it is deemed "highly functioning" at the five medical facilities that have already deployed the system.
This means $400 million of the agency's budget could possibly be revised or taken away.
"We'll want to work through with you the specifics on the FY24 request," Denis McDonough, VA secretary, told lawmakers on the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs April 26. "But the bottom line is I think it stands to reason that that request will look different."
Mr. McDonough argued that the VA would not need the money while it suspends additional rollouts of the system.
The VA Cerner EHR program was funded at $1.76 billion in 2023.
Prior to the pause of the EHR rollout, the VA was seeking $1.86 billion to fund the program in 2024.