You may have heard that a new psychiatric facility opened at Mann-Grandstaff this month. This is great news for veterans in our community trying to access the mental health services they need to overcome the invisible scars of serving our country. 

While I’m excited about the difference this unit can make, I’m concerned by the fact that it’s operating on the same EHR system that has caused the VA and Eastern Washington veterans so many problems when it comes to delivering and accessing care. That’s why I recently sent a letter to VA leadership expressing my concerns. 

The reality is, however, that this system has fallen well short of its goal of ensuring veterans have access to the best care possible. In fact, in many ways, it’s done the opposite. That’s why I introduced legislation today to formally halt the rollout of the broken EHR system at any new site until the VA can prove it’s been fixed.

Because veterans and providers in Eastern Washington have endured enough physical and emotional harm at the hands of the EHR. Real change is long overdue and necessary to make this system the improvement we hoped it would be. My hope is that this bill will finally force Oracle Cerner and VA leadership to fix this system the right way before any more veterans are harmed.

CLICK HERE to read the bill.