The National Association of VA Physicians and Dentists (NAVAPD), with support from numerous VA professional associations, has formally called on Congress to pause further deployment of the Department of Veterans Affairs' Oracle Electronic Health Record (EHR) system until critical concerns about patient safety, system performance, cost, and long-term feasibility are independently evaluated.
In a letter dated October 12, 2026, NAVAPD urged congressional leaders to ensure that any further investment in the EHR modernization program prioritizes the safety of veterans, the needs of frontline healthcare professionals, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources.
The letter was delivered to bipartisan leadership in both chambers of Congress, members of committees overseeing veterans' healthcare and EHR modernization, appropriations committees, and the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).
Key Recommendations to Congress
NAVAPD is calling for several actions before additional Oracle EHR deployments proceed:
Pause further deployments: Suspend additional Oracle EHR implementations while continuing to fund patient care, system maintenance, and the correction of safety problems at existing sites.
Require an independent safety assessment: Evaluate patient safety and operational readiness at facilities already using the system, with meaningful input from frontline physicians, dentists, and nurses.
Strengthen transparency and accountability: Require regular reporting of patient safety incidents associated with the system.
Evaluate alternatives: Conduct an independent comparison of the costs, risks, and feasibility of continuing the Oracle program versus modernizing the VA's existing Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA), including the potential use of AI-assisted software development tools.
Increase financial oversight: Require additional documentation and justification of proposed contract cost increases.
The letter cites concerns involving clinical workflow disruptions, delayed referrals, patient safety incidents, and rising program costs. NAVAPD emphasizes that these issues must be addressed before the VA expands the system to additional medical centers.
Advocating for Veterans and Frontline Healthcare Professionals
NAVAPD believes that a reliable, safe, and effective electronic health record is essential to delivering high-quality healthcare to our nation's veterans.
The association also recognizes the importance of hearing directly from the physicians, dentists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who use these systems every day.
NAVAPD President Joseph T. Abate, DMD, expressed appreciation to the professional organizations that supported this effort and helped strengthen the association's message to Congress.
Their collaboration reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that veterans receive safe, timely, and effective care while protecting the long-term sustainability of the VA healthcare system.
NAVAPD requested a written response from Congress by October 23, 2026, ahead of the VA's next scheduled EHR deployments.
NAVAPD remains committed to working with Congress, VA leadership, and fellow professional associations to advocate for a safe, reliable, and fiscally responsible electronic health record system.
