Banks Named Chairman Of Subcommittee On Veterans Affairs Technology Modernization

U.S. Rep. Jim Banks (R-Columbia City) was named chairman of a subcommittee created to lead the update of electronic health records for veterans.  The $15.8 billion project was announced last summer by the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Banks is a veteran and says more efficient technology is needed.

"It is a duty that I have in the Congress today to do everything I can to make sure our veterans receive the best care that they need and deserve, and electronic health records are a big part of that," says Banks. 

The subcommittee will oversee the implementation of a commercial program to replace the outdated system the VA has been using.  Banks says the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization will be directly involved with the transition process.

"This new subcommittee will provide significant oversight, much more oversight than we’ve seen before," says Banks.

This is the largest electronic health transition effort in the country and will take a decade.

There are more than 400,000 veterans in Indiana.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story said the electronic health records project costs $15.8 million. That was incorrect. The project costs $15.8 billion.