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Veterans Administration eyes technology upgrades amid scrutiny

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  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, November 4th 2025 at 10:50 GMT by USA Today
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Veterans Administration Eyes Technology Upgrades Amid Growing Scrutiny

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is pushing forward with an ambitious technology modernization agenda as it faces heightened scrutiny from lawmakers, veteran advocacy groups, and the public. The VA’s push to upgrade its digital infrastructure, spurred by a series of high‑profile IT failures and a growing backlog of patient care, underscores a pivotal moment in the agency’s effort to deliver reliable, secure, and efficient services to millions of veterans across the country.

The Current Landscape of VA IT

Veteran health care has long been hampered by legacy systems that struggle to handle modern clinical workflows and data exchange. In 2023, a critical failure of the VA’s Veterans Health Information System (VHIS) left 1.6 million veterans without access to their medical records for nearly two weeks, prompting an emergency response that highlighted systemic vulnerabilities. That incident was followed by a data‑breach scare in 2024 when a phishing attack exposed the personal information of 4.2 million veterans. Both events accelerated the VA’s decision to overhaul its IT architecture.

The VA’s current infrastructure is largely composed of outdated Windows servers, fragmented databases, and a patient portal—My HealtheVet—that has been criticized for its poor usability and limited functionality. The portal’s slow response times, frequent downtime, and lack of interoperability with external health care providers have frustrated veterans who rely on it for appointment scheduling, prescription refills, and secure messaging with health care teams.

The Modernization Blueprint

In a recent briefing, VA CIO Linda M. “Lindsey” Goss outlined the agency’s “Digital Transformation Initiative,” which is designed to replace legacy systems with cloud‑based, interoperable platforms. The initiative includes several key components:

1. Unified Veteran Record System (UVRS) – A centralized electronic health record (EHR) platform that will integrate data from all VA medical centers and external providers, ensuring real‑time access to comprehensive patient histories.

2. Advanced Cybersecurity Layer – Deployment of multi‑factor authentication, zero‑trust architecture, and continuous monitoring to safeguard against future breaches.

3. Artificial Intelligence‑Driven Triage – Implementation of AI algorithms to prioritize patient care, predict high‑risk conditions, and streamline appointment scheduling.

4. Improved Patient Portal – A mobile‑first redesign of My HealtheVet that offers intuitive navigation, real‑time status updates, and secure messaging.

5. Data Governance and Analytics – Establishment of a data stewardship framework to ensure accuracy, privacy, and ethical use of veteran data.

The modernization plan, estimated at $12.5 billion over five years, is financed through a mix of federal appropriations and private‑sector partnerships. VA officials emphasize that the transition will be phased to minimize disruptions to patient care.

Congressional Oversight and Public Pressure

The VA’s technology upgrade has drawn intense scrutiny from Congress, particularly from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. In a hearing held on September 12, 2025, Representative John Doe (R‑CA) asked VA officials to explain the delays that had plagued the agency’s earlier IT initiatives. “Why has the VA failed to deliver a secure, interoperable system in the past two years?” Doe asked. “What steps are being taken to prevent a repeat of the 2023 system outage?”

During the hearing, VA spokesperson David Martinez emphasized the agency’s commitment to transparency and accountability. “We are investing heavily in modern, cloud‑native solutions that have proven reliability in the defense sector,” Martinez said. “We also have third‑party auditors monitoring progress, and we will provide quarterly updates to Congress.”

Veteran advocacy groups, such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, welcomed the modernization plan but urged for faster implementation and more robust oversight. “Veterans deserve a system that works,” said Lt. Col. Maria Rodriguez (USA), spokesperson for the American Legion. “The VA must deliver on its promises and demonstrate that it can protect veterans’ data.”

The House Oversight Committee’s report, released on October 2, 2025, highlighted that while the VA’s modernization plan is comprehensive, there are concerns about cost overruns, potential scope creep, and the integration of third‑party vendors. The report also noted that the VA’s internal IT budget has increased by 45% in the past fiscal year, yet still falls short of the $12.5 billion projected cost of the full transition.

Technical Partnerships and Industry Collaboration

The VA has entered into several strategic partnerships with technology firms to accelerate the upgrade process. One notable collaboration is with Microsoft Azure, which will provide the cloud infrastructure for the Unified Veteran Record System. Microsoft’s cloud platform will host the new EHR, ensuring scalability, resilience, and compliance with federal data security standards. In addition, the VA has contracted with Cerner Corporation to provide the clinical decision support engine that will power AI‑driven triage.

Another key partnership involves the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). These agencies are working with the VA to develop a zero‑trust security model that will limit lateral movement of threats within VA networks. The collaboration includes a joint task force that will evaluate emerging threats, conduct penetration testing, and develop real‑time threat intelligence feeds.

The Road Ahead

Despite the significant investment and ambitious scope, experts caution that the modernization effort remains a monumental challenge. “The VA’s IT environment is exceptionally complex,” said Dr. Susan Chang, a former VA Chief Information Officer and senior fellow at the Center for Digital Health. “Successful modernization requires not only technical solutions but also cultural change, workforce reskilling, and robust governance.”

To this end, the VA has launched a “Veteran IT Innovation Lab” that will train clinicians, administrators, and IT staff on new technologies. The lab will conduct pilot programs in select VA facilities, allowing the agency to refine solutions before broader rollout. Feedback from these pilots will inform adjustments to the migration timeline, ensuring that critical patient services remain uninterrupted.

The VA’s technology modernization, while under intense scrutiny, represents a critical juncture for veteran care. If executed successfully, it could deliver a unified, secure, and patient‑centric system that meets the evolving needs of a diverse veteran population. However, the agency must maintain transparency, adhere to stringent cybersecurity protocols, and deliver measurable progress to satisfy both Congress and the veterans it serves. The next few months will be pivotal as the VA seeks to translate its ambitious vision into tangible, day‑to‑day improvements for millions of veterans across the United States.