After a strategic pause, the Department of Veterans Affairs is preparing to resume its federal electronic health record rollout in mid-2026 with a renewed focus on continuous improvement and system modernization.

The Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization (FEHRM) office's goal is to unite capabilities across the VA, Defense Department, Coast Guard and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — along with other federal partners — to deploy the same federal EHR.

Ahead of HIMSS, FEHRM Director Bill Tinston discussed the vital role FEHRM has played in gathering feedback, sharing lessons learned and driving program enhancements. He highlighted recent successes in the federal EHR initiative, how the program aligns with the new administration's push for greater transparency and accountability, and what milestones are on the horizon as the rollout resumes.

He also dove into the broader health IT landscape, highlighting the innovations and emerging technologies that could be game-changers for federal health care.