Electronic Health Records for Veterans
The Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs announced today they are creating a joint electronic medical system in order for the two departments to share veterans’ medical information, according to a report from CNETNews.com.
Read President Obama’s full remarks about the venture.
From CNET:
The Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record project will track soldiers’ lifelong medical histories beginning the day they enter service.
“Currently there is no comprehensive system in place that allows for a streamlined transition,” Obama said. “That results in extraordinary hardship for an awful lot of veterans,” such as lost records or delays in processing disability claims.
The VA is currently grappling with a six-month backlog in disability claims.
“This would represent a huge step towards modernizing the way health care is delivered…for our veterans,” Obama said, noting that the system would follow the “strictest and most rigorous standards of privacy and security.”
The new system would also represent a shift in health care services the president has pushed for all Americans. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocated about $19 billion for the digitization of medical records. Electronic medical records is a burgeoning business for technology companies as they eye the digitization requirements hospitals and doctors’ offices will soon be expected to meet.