The bill proposes a $3.3 billion budget for VAâs IT systems, a $200 million raise for VA CIO Roger Bakerâs office from the previous fiscal year.
Lawmakers proposed a $2.3 billion increase in total funding for the VA, or $60.7 billion for fiscal 2013.
The VAâs IT office is overseeing major projects involving health records, including development of an integrated EHR system with the Defense Department.
Harris Corp. holds an $80 million contract to develop that system.
Under the proposed spending bill, 75 percent of funds for that project are withheld until the VA submits a comprehensive spending plan and long-term road map to Congress.
That plan must show year-to-year spending details, milestones for progress, cost-sharing arrangements and a schedule for data standardization, Lipowicz reported.