President Donald Trump on June 5 commented on the Department of Veterans Affairs' decision to implement a new systemwide EHR.
President Trump made his remarks in the White House East Room during an event to discuss air traffic control reform efforts. VA Secretary David J. Shulkin, MD, had announced the department's EHR decision earlier that morning.
"For decades the federal government has struggled to accomplish something that should be very, very simple — seamlessly transferring a veteran's medical records from the Defense Department to the veterans groups and to the VA," he said. "I'm very proud to say that we are finally taking steps to solve this situation once and for all."
He praised Dr. Shulkin's decision to adopt Cerner, the same EHR vendor the Department of Defense selected to implement across its sites through 2022. President Trump added, "No more complications. The records will now be able to follow the veteran when they leave service — meaning faster, better and far better quality care."
"Of course, there is still much work to do, but today's action shows the determined leadership and what it can accomplish — great, great reform," he said. "To all of our veterans who have a served this nation, a very, very special thank you. This is truly wonderful, really monumental reform, so important for our veterans. But it's just the beginning."
Click here to view his full remarks.