ORACLE CERNER VA HEALTH RECORDS SYSTEM COMING SOONER THAN PLANNED
When the Oracle-Cerner deal went through, it was a major moment for the healthcare and tech industries. As with any acquisition, there have been changes. The Oracle Cerner layoffs have affected hundreds of employees as the new organizational structure begins to develop. Yet, for the military community, there are other concerns. Mainly because the offering from Oracle Cerner for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has had many issues, pushing its potential widespread use into 2024 and then again into mid-2026. Now, the system is on track to finally have 12 sites up in 2025.
Oracle Cerner Electronic Health Records Systems Project Finally Back on Track
The VA has been plagued by the delayed release of its new electronic health records systems, but change is finally here. VA Secretary Doug Collins is aiming to bring up to 12 new sites online by early 2026 after calling the previous timeline too slow. The focus is now on pushing Oracle Cerner and VA leaders to execute faster progress on the $16 billion project.
Originally launched in 2017 under the Trump administration, the rollout has faced major setbacks, including lost patient files, system crashes, and poor training. While the idea of bringing Veterans’ health records in line with military files for the first time, the original 10-year timeline has hit every hurdle you could think of.
Nearly eight years later, only six of VA’s 170-plus medical sites are using the software. While optimism remains, critics have concerns over staff reductions and whether the rapid deployment will compromise patient care and employee readiness.
“This has been a $10 billion project that’s not going anywhere. So I’m pleased to announce right now that we’re moving forward on a new plan that is going to bring by next year double or almost triple the number of hospitals online. We’ve worked through standardization. We’ve got some plans now that, after almost two and a half years of nothing, we’re now moving forward to get this project done. There’s a lot going on here that I’m excited about,” said Collins.
Why Did the Oracle Cerner Merger Occur?
Oracle acquired Cerner in June 2022 for $28.3 billion after announcing the deal in 2021. The Oracle-Cerner merger is one of the largest telehealth deals in history. Undoubtedly, Oracle Cerner is a potential growth engine in the healthcare sector and aims to expand its presence in this critical industry.
Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, Cerner offers management software for hospitals to help them with the operations of both inpatient and outpatient services. Oracle has entered into the healthcare industry through a tech-focused angle of attack. As a result, this would also mark the largest acquisition of the tech giant from Austin, TX, furthering Oracle's commitment to take on telehealth. The deal received regulatory approval and is reshaping the landscape of the electronic health records (EHR) industry.
Lately, the industry has seen a trend of moving away from standalone vendors toward data-focused offerings. These sorts of deals are going to garner attention even outside of the private sector, which is why the VA has turned is counting on the Oracle-Cerner acquisition for solutions involving its electronic health system.
Years of Problems
Summer 2024 was looking to be a big year for a collaboration between the VA and Oracle Cerner. Although the relationship was supposed to formally begin in April 2023, but delays continue, and problems are still being solved involving users and their healthcare.
The system is looking to take off in 166 hospitals in 2024 after expanding the program hasn’t quite panned out. It is worth mentioning, however, that the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in Illinois has seen success after getting started in March 2023.
A collaboration between the VA and Oracle Cerner will be MHS Genesis. This is an electronic health records system for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) that aims to create an easy-to-use interface. However, one of the main concerns has been the learning curve as users are familiar with the current system, Vista.
Oracle Cerner, the Cost of Doing Business, and Our Nation’s Heroes
Getting around 270 changes for an easier-to-use comprehensive healthcare system will benefit Veterans and their families. Naturally, politicians are focusing on the financial aspects. Overall, politicians still had to consider the additional $1.86 billion to the FY 2024 budget and the frustrations concerning the lack of care Veterans are receiving, but the VA continues to think long-term.
Furthermore, the aim remains to have a system that's convenient for users, operates effectively 100% of the time, and continues to improve healthcare for Vets. Budgets, politics, and logistics aside, it’s important to provide our nation’s heroes with the best healthcare possible.
The hope from everyone remains the same, and it’s important not to lose the overall goal inside the forest of minor details. Evidently, having the Oracle Cerner system in place will help to solve these problems. Sadly, it has taken a while to get here, but there is now hope that things are finally getting back on track.
Suggested reads:
