The House Veterans Affairs Committee held the first of several committee oversight hearings concerned with the transition of service personnel from active duty to veteran status. Although the VA health care system relies on electronic patient records, service members fresh off active duty and seeking VA health care must present paper medical records. Lawmakers have been working for 20 years to create a resource-sharing environment for DOD and VA health care. Yet, says, Chairman Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), the two departments are still operating in separate worlds.” The electronic exchange of patient data has been in the works for seven years, says Buyer, adding that the situation presents “significant cost” to taxpayers and veterans.
As Congress looks to delay passage of a new federal funding package until after the November elections, the Air Force is warning that even a three-month gap would harm national defense. “[Continuing resolutions] immediately disrupt major exercises and training events, affect readiness and maintenance, curtail hiring and recruitment actions, and…