Robert Wilkie, the White House’s nominee for the secretary role at the Department of Veterans Affairs, has said the electronic health records system and information technology modernization are among his primary priorities once confirmed, MeriTalk reported Wednesday.
Wilkie told the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee at his nomination hearing Wednesday that the new EHR platform is the “first step†to upgrade VA’s appointment system, automate payment and disability claims and facilitate interoperability with the Defense Department, pharmacies and private doctors needed to “create a continuum of care and organize the healthcare around our veteran’s needs.â€
“This is also our opportunity to turn the corner and be an industry leader on opioid abuse intervention and suicide prevention,†he added.
Wilkie serves as defense undersecretary for personnel and readiness who led VA’s collaboration efforts with Congress to pass the VA MISSION Act and advance a contract that seeks to facilitate EHR sharing with DoD during his leadership as the department’s acting secretary, according to a White House fact sheet.
Peter O’Rourke currently serves as interim VA secretary as Wilkie moves through the confirmation process.