The VA EHR Modernization Roadmap Under the Trump Administration
With President Donald Trump’s second term underway, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is facing new opportunities and challenges in its ongoing efforts to modernize health care IT. The administration’s focus on streamlining government efficiency highlights the importance of leveraging technology to improve operations and outcomes.
For the VA, this means advancing its Electronic Health Records Modernization (EHRM) program while maintaining critical legacy systems to ensure continuity of care for Veterans. DSS' VistA-as-a-Service (VaaS) offering plays a crucial role in this transition, providing a scalable, cost-effective solution that fully supports the VA’s modernization efforts.
The VA’s Modernization Goals in 2025 and Beyond
The new administration has reaffirmed the VA’s commitment to putting Veterans at the center of care, expanding community care, and addressing shifting demographics. A key component of this strategy is modernizing the VA’s IT infrastructure to enhance efficiency and improve healthcare delivery.
However, the VA’s EHRM program has faced significant challenges:
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Interoperability Issues: The transition from VistA to Oracle Health Millennium (formerly Cerner) has been hindered by difficulties in maintaining VistA’s custom functionality and ensuring seamless data exchange with private-sector EHRs.
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Resource Constraints: The VA is managing competing priorities, including the reduction of full-time employees and the need for private-sector collaboration to fill talent gaps.
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Operational Disruptions: Ensuring that Veterans receive uninterrupted care during the EHR transition remains a top priority.
How VistA-as-a-Service (VaaS) Bridges the Gap
VaaS provides a strategic solution to these challenges by maintaining VistA’s functionality in a cloud-based environment while supporting the rollout of the new EHR system. Key benefits of DSS' VaaS offering include:
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Seamless Transition: VaaS ensures that the VA’s legacy VistA system remains operational and interoperable with Oracle Health Millennium, preventing disruptions to Veteran care.
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Cost Savings: By consolidating VistA maintenance, operations, and hosting under a single provider, VaaS significantly reduces IT costs compared to in-house support.
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Enhanced Efficiency: The SaaS-based model streamlines VA operations, enabling staff to focus on EHR implementation rather than system maintenance.
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Improved Data Sharing: VaaS maintains full access to patient records across systems, supporting real-time data exchange with community care providers.
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Flexibility and Scalability: Cloud infrastructure allows the VA to adapt to changing needs without the burden of on-prem maintenance.
A Future-Ready Approach to VA Health Care
The success of the VA’s EHRM program depends on balancing modernization with the continued support of existing systems. DSS' VaaS offering ensures that Veterans receive uninterrupted, high-quality care while enabling the VA to achieve its long-term IT modernization goals.
As the administration prioritizes efficiency and technological advancement, solutions like VaaS will be critical in supporting the VA’s mission. By leveraging this approach, the VA can minimize disruptions, reduce costs, and focus on what matters most – providing the best possible care for those who have served our nation.
To learn more about how DSS supports VA's strategic priorities, click here.