Washington, D.C. (May 27, 2021) –  Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) continued to call for action this week to improve the ongoing Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane. This week, Cathy issued testimony for the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Member Day to draw attention to the issues she is hearing from veterans in Eastern Washington.

“My primary focus during the 117th Congress has been on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) EHRM. The EHRM was supposed to move veteran health care into the 21st century, modernizing VA operations and ensuring smooth and seamless care for veterans as they move through different VA departments,” Rodgers wrote in her testimony. “Unfortunately, the new system is not the improvement we hoped for, at least not yet. It has put new stresses on Mann-Grandstaff, a vital lifeline for veterans in my district. Veterans are constantly reaching out to my offices with complaints and pleas for help.”

She continued, “I have been encouraged by the conversations I have had with VA leadership and others working on the EHRM, but we cannot take our eye off the ball. The problems that have become evident as Mann-Grandstaff has navigated the EHRM must be addressed before the system is deployed at other facilities.”

She concluded, “When someone joins the military, it’s not just a job—it’s a family commitment to our country. I appreciate the committee’s efforts to roll out the red carpet for America’s veterans and focus on policies that ensure they get the care and benefits they have earned.”

CLICK HERE to read Cathy’s full testimony.

NOTE: In March, Cathy called for a review of the Cerner electronic health record (EHR) system at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane after hearing an increasing number of complaints and pleas for help from veterans in Eastern Washington. Her request was immediately agreed to by Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough. Cathy continues to advocate for veterans, working to restore 24/7 urgent care and to address the community care backlog at the Mann-Grandstaff medical center.

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