ORACLE CERNER VA HEALTH SOLUTION ROLLOUT BEING PUSHED TO 2024


By bblouin
An outside view of the Oracle Cerner building in light of the Oracle -Cerner merger that just occurred.

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, the fact that 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. Related read: Your Guide to Using My HealtheVet for Veteran Healthcare Needs

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. As of late, the industry has seen a trend that's 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. Nonetheless, it’s been a bit of a rough start so far, and delays are pushing the finish line back to 2024.

Healthcare System Hiccups in 2023 are Being Fixed to Implement in 2024

Summer 2024 is 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, 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 easy-to-use interface. However, one of the main concerns has been the learning curve as users are familiar with the current system, Vista. Suggested read: Traveling for Healthcare? Don't Forget To Claim VA Travel Pay!

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, the cost is having lawmakers consider adding $1.86 billion toward the FY 2024 budget. There are frustrations about the cost and 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 to not 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 appears that the VA, lawmakers, and the military community must have a bit more patience before that happens. Read next: Did Veteran Affairs Hospital Computer System Delay Care for 40k+ Vets?


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