VA EHR May Gain Biden Budget Boost as Congress Threatens Cuts
The Department of Veterans Affairs is in a quagmire with its EHR modernization program as some elected officials consider cuts, and the Biden budget proposes $1.9B more in funding.
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By - In the news this week, continued turmoil for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) EHR project, and the FDA released several changes to its mammography regulations that hope to improve the breast cancer screening process.
Biden Includes $1.9B for VA EHR Modernization
President Biden’s ill-fated 2024 budget request will seek $1.9 billion to sustain the VA’s EHR modernization project (EHRM). The technology has faced serious pushback since issues with the rollout resulted in system outages and errors. Additionally, the VA official in charge of the implementation resigned earlier this month, adding more uncertainty to the EHRM’s future.
Oracle, the company that acquired Cerner last year, argued that a failure to stay the course with the EHRM would force the VA to revert to its older, less secure, and more expensive system and could deny veterans the benefits of a modern EHR. READ MORE.
VA EHRM Blasted by Congress Members
Members of the House of Representatives slammed the VA EHRM program in session this week. Ranking member of the Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, Matt Rosendale (R-Mont), shared that he would end the Oracle Cerner project and seek restitution from the company for the billions that have already poured into the project. Officials estimated that the 30-year cost of the system could reach $51 billion, more than three times the cost of original estimates. Currently, Congress is sitting on a bill that would terminate the Cerner contract, but it’s unclear if it would pass. READ MORE.
FDA Adds Eye Drops to Recall List
Pharmedica USA LLC and Apotex Corp issued voluntarily recalled batches of artificial tears last week after one company found cracks in the lids of its product and the other identified unspecified quality issues. Neither company violated good manufacturing practices, and they will face no action from the FDA for their recall.
In another unrelated case, artificial tears from Global Pharma Healthcare’s over-the-counter artificial tears were found to be contaminated with drug-resistant bacteria causing vision loss in five patients and death in one. READ MORE.
FDA Changing its Mammography Regulations
New FDA regulations will require sharing information on breast density, enforcing more extensive FDA oversight of facilities, and adding tools for mammogram interpretation.
“Today’s action represents the agency’s broader commitment to support innovation to prevent, detect and treat cancer,” said Hilary Marston, MD, MPH, FDA’s Chief Medical Officer, in the press release. “Since 1992, the FDA has ensured patients have access to quality mammography. The impact of the Mammography Quality Standards Act on public health has been significant, including a steep decrease in the number of facilities that do not meet quality standards.” READ MORE.
FY 2024 Budget to Extend Medicare Solvency
The FY 2024 budget proposal includes President Biden’s plan to extend Medicare’s solvency through a series of tax rate bumps on the wealthy. It’s unlikely that the budget will be approved as republicans are keen to find ways to cut both taxes and Medicare spending.
“Since Medicare was passed, income and wealth inequality in the United States have increased dramatically,” the fact sheet stated. “By asking those with the highest incomes to contribute modestly more, we can keep the Medicare program strong for decades to come.” READ MORE.
