GAO Testimony: Veterans Affairs - Leading Practices Can Help Achieve IT Reform Goals
Description
Opening Statement by Carol Harris, GAO Director, on July 14, 2025, on Veterans Affairs' IT reform efforts before the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization.
VA depends on critical IT systems to manage benefits and provide care to millions of veterans and their families. The department's investment in IT is substantial--VA plans to spend about $7.3 billion in fiscal year 2026.
However, VA has a long history of failed IT modernization efforts. For example, after three failed attempts between 2001 and 2018, VA began implementing its fourth effort in 2020 to modernize its legacy health information system. However, in 2023 it halted further system deployments due to widespread concerns. In December 2024, VA announced plans for additional deployments restarting in 2026. VA has experienced similar weaknesses in acquiring major IT systems, managing its IT workforce, tracking software licenses, and standardizing cloud computing procurement.
This statement (1) identifies key reform elements of VA's fiscal year 2026 IT budget request, and (2) describes leading practices and selected questions for assessing agency reforms.
VA depends on critical IT systems to manage benefits and provide care to millions of veterans and their families. The department's investment in IT is substantial--VA plans to spend about $7.3 billion in fiscal year 2026.
However, VA has a long history of failed IT modernization efforts. For example, after three failed attempts between 2001 and 2018, VA began implementing its fourth effort in 2020 to modernize its legacy health information system. However, in 2023 it halted further system deployments due to widespread concerns. In December 2024, VA announced plans for additional deployments restarting in 2026. VA has experienced similar weaknesses in acquiring major IT systems, managing its IT workforce, tracking software licenses, and standardizing cloud computing procurement.
This statement (1) identifies key reform elements of VA's fiscal year 2026 IT budget request, and (2) describes leading practices and selected questions for assessing agency reforms.