U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) pushed the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on Friday for an update on a local pilot program designed to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare for veterans.
The senators sent a letter to VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald expressing their concern about long wait times and calling for an update on the implementation of the National Capital Region Veteran Centered Care in the Community Pilot Project. The project itself will integrate veterans health records and make them available electronically via a mobile app.
“The purpose of this pilot project is to provide greater value to the veteran by improving access to their electronic health data, giving veterans access to the best available chronic care management, and improving personalized care options,” the senators wrote. This program is intended to provide a prototype for expanding the Veterans Choice program across the nation, using an academic/public/private partnership model.
“Patient-centered care is a critical component of a high-performing, high-quality health care system. Expansion of health information technology and consumer E-health tools have created new opportunities for individuals to participate actively in monitoring and directing their health and health care. Patient-generated data offers yet another engagement and analytical tool if the data can be integrated in a meaningful way into the electronic health record and presented to providers in an actionable, distilled format that supports clinical decision making.”
The proposed pilot project would address challenges that have hurt the Veterans Choice program by allowing the free flow of healthcare information between providers and patients in care settings.
The VA has yet to issue a formal response.