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DEMOCRATIC PRESS RELEASE

March 30, 2007

VA Treatment Centers Lack Access to Troop Medical Records

DoD Has Tool to Transfer Critical Patient Information: Does Not Use It

Washington, D.C. – “In the first 100 days of this Congress, some serious issues have been brought to light regarding the transition of service members from the Department of Defense to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“The House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations has examined systematic difficulties in the sharing of electronic patient health information, failure to implement effective patient tracking programs, and a lack of urgency to address and correct these shortcomings.

“Make no mistake, these problems are not new. The problems of bureaucratic obstacles and complicated transitions have not been addressed by the Administration, the past Congress or the Department of Defense. Our troops do not deserve a confusing and lengthy transition process during their recovery from injury. As Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I will hold oversight hearings to ensure accountability and to institute an effective continuum of care that our veterans need and deserve.

“The House took a first step towards providing a seamless transition between active duty and veterans’ status with the passage of H.R. 1538, the Wounded Warriors Assistance Act. This bill requires the implementation of a single system for electronic health records, and streamlines the physical exam process by requiring only one exam for both exit from active duty and entrance to the VA system. The burden to collect and transfer medical information should not rest on the shoulders of a wounded soldier. The implementation of a joint patient tracking application, or another effective tracking system, is an absolute necessity to establish a complete medical record for use by the Department of Defense and the VA. It is high time these departments work together to ensure timely medical care for our service members.

“The majority of returning service members will enter the VA system for their medical care and we cannot delay in providing systems that are compatible, synchronized and uncomplicated. The time is long overdue for our President, the Congress, DoD and the VA to work together to support the warrior. Supporting our troops is a cost of war and a promise we have made to our warriors.”

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Larry Scott

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