United States 117th Congress ✓ Enacted · P.L. 117-154 Bipartisan · 9 D · 3 R cosponsors

HR 4591 — VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act of 2021

Last action — Became Public Law No: 117-154.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced July 21, 2021. Enacted.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 78% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 12 sponsors

    1 primary, 11 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (9 D · 3 R) — cross-party backing.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to report quarterly on (1) the costs of its Electronic Health Record Modernization Program, including by describing all expenses driven by the program; and (2) the performance metrics and outcomes of the program.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

86 added · 80 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to the bill includes the addition of a requirement for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit reports on the costs of the Electronic Health Record Modernization program every 30 days after each fiscal quarter, starting 30 days after the enactment of the VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act of 2021. This change ensures that there is ongoing oversight and transparency regarding the financial aspects of the program throughout its duration.

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[Congressional Bills 117th Congress] [From the U.S.
[117th Congress Public Law 154] [From the U.S.
Government Publishing Office] [H.R.
Government Publishing Office] [[Page 136 STAT.
4591 Referred in Senate (RFS)] <DOC> 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H.
1303]] Public Law 117-154 117th Congress An Act To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress periodic reports on the costs, performance metrics, and outcomes of the Department of Veterans Affairs Electronic Health Record Modernization program.
R.
<<NOTE:
4591 _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 17, 2021 Received;
June 23, 2022 - [H.R.
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs _______________________________________________________________________ AN ACT To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress periodic reports on the costs, performance metrics, and outcomes of the Department of Veterans Affairs Electronic Health Record Modernization program.
4591]>> Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1.
VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act of 2021.>> SECTION 1.
SHORT TITLE.
<<NOTE:
38 USC 101 note.>> SHORT TITLE.
5701 note prec.) is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f);
5701 note prec.) <<NOTE:
38 USC 5701 note prec.>> is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f);
``(e) Quarterly Reports.-- ``(1) Reports on costs of ehrm program.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act of 2021, and every 30 days after the last day of each fiscal quarter thereafter until the termination date specified in paragraph (3), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the costs of the Electronic Health Record Modernization program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
``(e) <<NOTE:
Time periods.>> Quarterly Reports.-- ``(1) Reports on costs of ehrm program.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act of 2021, and every 30 days after the last day of each fiscal quarter thereafter until the termination date specified in paragraph (3), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the costs of the Electronic Health Record Modernization program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
``(B) any funds, from any source or account, expended by any organizational element of the Department for physical or technology infrastructure modifications, enhancements, improvements, or expansions at a facility of the Department necessitated by, or related or pertaining to, the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program;
``(B) any funds, from any source or account, expended by any organizational element of the Department for physical or technology infrastructure modifications, enhancements, improvements, or expansions at a facility of the [[Page 136 STAT.
1304]] Department necessitated by, or related or pertaining to, the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program;
Each such report shall include, for the period covered by the report-- ``(A) a list of the quality, performance, safety, or value metrics, key performance indicators, and other diagnostic or evaluation criteria in use to assess the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program and the electronic health record system, in general and at individual facilities, with respect to veterans, employees of the Department, and Departmental operations;
Each such <<NOTE:
Lists.>> report shall include, for the period covered by the report-- ``(A) <<NOTE:
Assessment.>> a list of the quality, performance, safety, or value metrics, key performance indicators, and other diagnostic or evaluation criteria in use to assess the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program and the electronic health record system, in general and at individual facilities, with respect to veterans, employees of the Department, and Departmental operations;
``(C) the data supporting or demonstrating each such metric, indicator, and criteria compared to the data supporting or demonstrating such metric, indicator, or criteria as included in the previous report submitted under this paragraph;
``(C) <<NOTE:
Data.>> the data supporting or demonstrating each such metric, indicator, and criteria compared to the data supporting or demonstrating such metric, indicator, or criteria as included in the previous report submitted under this paragraph;
``(3) Termination date.--The requirement to submit a report under paragraph (1) shall terminate on the date that is 90 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives certification that the Electronic Health Record Modernization program has been fully implemented.'';
``(3) <<NOTE:
and (3) in subsection (f), as redesignated by paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
Certification.>> Termination date.--The requirement to submit a report under paragraph (1) shall terminate on the date that is 90 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives certification that the Electronic Health Record Modernization program has been fully implemented.'';
and (3) <<NOTE:
Definitions.>> in subsection (f), as redesignated by paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(5) The term `facility of the Department' includes a joint facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.''.
[[Page 136 STAT.
Passed the House of Representatives November 16, 2021.
1305]] ``(5) The term `facility of the Department' includes a joint facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.''.
Attest:
Approved June 23, 2022.
CHERYL L.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R.
JOHNSON, Clerk.
4591:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:
Vol.
167 (2021):
Nov.
16, considered and passed House.
Vol.
168 (2022):
May 26, considered and passed Senate.
<all>
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How this bill changes current law

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Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends existing law to require periodic reports on the costs, performance metrics, and outcomes of the Department of Veterans Affairs Electronic Health Record Modernization program.

  • 38 U.S.C. 5701 note prec.

    (e) Quarterly Reports.--(1) Reports on costs of ehrm program.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act of 2021, and every 30 days after the last day of each fiscal quarter thereafter until the termination date specified in paragraph (3), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the costs of the Electronic Health Record Modernization program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Each such report shall include, for the period covered by the report and for the total period beginning on the date of the enactment of the VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act of 2021 and ending on the date of the submittal of the report, a description of all actual expenses of, and driven by, such program, including any such expenses paid using--(A) any funds appropriated for the Department of Veterans Affairs, for any source or account, expended by any organizational element of the Department or by the Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization Office for the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program; (B) any funds, from any source or account, expended by any organizational element of the Department for physical or technology infrastructure modifications, enhancements, improvements, or expansions at a facility of the Department necessitated by, or related or pertaining to, the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program; and (C) any funds, from any source or account, expended by any organizational element of the Department or by the Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization Office for consultants, support contractors, or experts related or pertaining to the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program.

    This change establishes a new requirement for the Secretary to report on the costs related to the Electronic Health Record Modernization program.

  • 38 U.S.C. 5701 note prec.

    (2) Reports on performance metrics and outcomes.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act of 2021, and every 30 days after the last day of each fiscal quarter thereafter until the termination date specified in paragraph (3), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the performance metrics and outcomes of the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program. Each such report shall include, for the period covered by the report--(A) a list of the quality, performance, safety, or value metrics, key performance indicators, and other diagnostic or evaluation criteria in use to assess the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program and the electronic health record system, in general and at individual facilities, with respect to veterans, employees of the Department, and Departmental operations; (B) an explanation of any change to any of such metrics, indicators, and criteria compared to the metrics, indicators, and criteria included in any previous report submitted under this paragraph; (C) the data supporting or demonstrating each such metric, indicator, and criteria compared to the data supporting or demonstrating such metric, indicator, or criteria as included in the previous report submitted under this paragraph; and (D) a list of patient safety reports, incidents, alerts, or disclosures at each facility of the Department where the electronic health record system has been implemented.

    This change establishes a new requirement for the Secretary to report on performance metrics and outcomes related to the Electronic Health Record Modernization program.

  • 38 U.S.C. 5701 note prec.

    (3) Termination date.--The requirement to submit a report under paragraph (1) shall terminate on the date that is 90 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives certification that the Electronic Health Record Modernization program has been fully implemented.

    This change specifies the termination date for the reporting requirements related to the Electronic Health Record Modernization program.

  • 38 U.S.C. 5701 note prec.

    (4) The term `electronic health record system' means the electronic health record system implemented pursuant to the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program.

    This change provides a definition for 'electronic health record system' specific to the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program.

  • 38 U.S.C. 5701 note prec.

    (5) The term `Federal Electronic Health Record Management Office' means the office established under section 1635(b) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of Public Law 110-181; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note).

    This change provides a definition for 'Federal Electronic Health Record Management Office'.

  • 38 U.S.C. 5701 note prec.

    subsection (e) → subsection (f)

    This change redesignates the existing subsection (e) to (f) to accommodate the addition of new reporting requirements.

Action History

  1. Introduced in House

  2. Introduced in House

  3. Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

  4. Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization.

  5. Subcommittee on Technology Modernization Discharged.

  6. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  7. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  8. Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  9. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6278-6279)

  10. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4591.

  11. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6278)

  12. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6278)

  13. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  14. The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

  15. Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

  16. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.

  17. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.

  18. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.

  19. Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S2737)

  20. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  21. Presented to President.

  22. Presented to President.

  23. Signed by President.

  24. Signed by President.

  25. Became Public Law No: 117-154.

  26. Became Public Law No: 117-154.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 11 co-sponsors · 535 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (11)

Not signed on (535)

535 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

veterans healthcare technology
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Frequently asked questions

What does HR 4591 do?
VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to report quarterly on (1) the costs of its Electronic Health Record Modernization Program, including by describing all expenses driven by the program; and (2) the performance metrics and outcomes of the program.
Who sponsors HR 4591?
HR 4591 is sponsored by Takano, Mark (Democratic), Bost, Mike (Republican), Lee, Susie (Democratic), Brown, Anthony G. (Democratic), Underwood, Lauren (Democratic), McMorris Rodgers, Cathy (Republican), Sires, Albio (Democratic), Walorski, Jackie (Republican), Peters, Scott H. (Democratic), Ryan, Tim (Democratic), Brownley, Julia (Democratic), and Mrvan, Frank J. (Democratic).
What is the current status of HR 4591?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced July 21, 2021. Enacted.
Where can I track HR 4591?
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