Key to that smooth transition is the transfer of the health records that document the physical and mental sacrifices of our Nation's heroes.

What's so amazing is that it is, and I have heard the same thing from not only VA employees but also the private sector, that it is the best system. So I cannot fathom why Department of Defense will not move to that particular system.

Well, Congressman Michaud, we have had now 25 years of experience with VistA and our clinicians would say that it is the best clinical management platform that they have ever used.

In reference to our Full Committee hearing entitled, 'Electronic Health Record U-Turn: Are VA and DoD Headed In The Right Direction?'

The Integrated Electronic Health Records initiative is critical to ushering in a more fluid process for our servicemen and women who transition into the veteran world.

In 2011, the initial estimates of the cost to develop the integrated electronic health records was projected to be between four and six billion dollars.

I am hoping this is not the case.

I am concerned that this new approach is a step backwards toward the model that had been previously tried and failed, namely, maintaining two different systems between two departments and wishfully thinking that the two systems will…

You have no greater mutual responsibility to those who have served and to those who serve than to ensure a complete and smooth transition from military back to civilian life.

I would just add that as with Kaiser, you can go to any VA hospital around the country and your inpatient/outpatient complete and total medical record is available.

However, in September of 2012, the interagency program office produced a new estimate of the cost that doubled the cost of the development of the system.