Rep. Lee Helps Pass House Defense Budget, Including Three Bipartisan Lee Amendments to Improve Veteran Health Care Services

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (Nev.-03) helped pass the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to fund the Department of Defense (DOD), and support expenditures and policy that support US servicemembers, veterans, and national security.

The House adopted and passed three bipartisan amendments as part of the Fiscal Year 2020 NDAA that Rep. Lee introduced and supported. All three amendments help improve veteran health care by ensuring that Veterans Affairs (VA) and DOD Interagency Program Office implement an effective Electronic Health Records (EHR) system, so our veterans can get the health care they deserve.

"I'm proud to support our armed services and protect our national security by voting to pass the NDAA for fiscal year 2020," said Rep. Lee. "Along with strengthening our national defense at home and abroad, this bill also includes a well-deserved 3.1 percent pay raise for all U.S. servicemembers, 12 full weeks of paid parental leave for federal workers, and the repeal of the harmful ‘widow's tax,' an unfair tax on spouses of deceased military members. These priorities make it clear that Congress will support our servicemembers, veterans, and their families both on and off the battle field."

"Along with supporting our military and servicemembers, we have an obligation to help our veterans get the care and services they earned protecting our freedom," Rep. Lee continued. "If we're going to fulfill that duty, then veterans transitioning from service to civilian life should be confident that their health records will transition seamlessly with them. My three bipartisan amendments that passed as part of the NDAA today will hold VA accountable for effectively modernizing their Electronic Health Records program, by giving them the guidance and structure they've been lacking. I urge all of my Senate colleagues to support this bill and show the American people that there is nothing partisan about supporting our men and women in uniform."

As chair of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, Rep. Lee is tasked with leading congressional oversight of the VA and DOD's joint undertaking to update and modernize their electronic health records system.

BACKGROUND: Below are the three amendments introduced and supported by Rep. Lee in the Fiscal Year 2020 NDAA:

1. Clarifying the authority and purpose of the DoD-VA Interagency Program Office

• This amendment will hold the VA and DOD accountable by clarifying that the Interagency Program Office has the ultimate authority to manage the Electronic Health Records rollout process.

1. Setting specific milestones for the Interagency Program Office

• This amendment will set the following milestones for IPO's Electronic Health Records implementation:

• Within 18 months - DoD and VA can access and meaningfully interact with the patient records for veterans and active duty military receiving healthcare in the community or in either Department.

• Within 24 months - Community providers for VA and TRICARE can access patient records for veteran and active duty patients.
  
• The Interagency Program Office must report to Congress on each milestone

1. Developing an effective strategy to ensure seamless care for servicemembers and veterans.

• Requires that the Interagency Program Office develop a strategy within 180 days of enactment to guide the delivery of seamless health care in DOD, VA, and the community by creating an environment that encourages innovative, efficient, effective use of health care technology practices.