H.R. 3494: VA Hospital Inventory Management System Authorization Act

This bill, known as the VA Hospital Inventory Management System Authorization Act, outlines a plan for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve its management of medical supplies through a new information technology system. The key provisions of the bill include:

Authorization for System Development

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is granted permission to:

• Purchase or develop a cloud-based IT system specifically designed for managing inventory at VA medical facilities. This includes both expendable items (like medical supplies) and nonexpendable items (like equipment).
• Implement this new system once it is developed or acquired.

Pilot Program

Before rolling out the system across all VA facilities, the Secretary must:

• Conduct a pilot program at one VA Health Administration facility. This program aims to assess the effectiveness and functionality of the system to ensure it meets the required standards.

Funding

The bill authorizes an appropriation of $50 million for the Department of Veterans Affairs to support the development and implementation of this inventory management system.

Implementation Timeline

If the system is developed or purchased, the Secretary must ensure that the implementation is completed within three years from the date the bill is enacted.

Overall Purpose

The overall intent of the bill is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of supply chain management within VA medical facilities, which could help improve the quality of care provided to veterans.

Relevant Companies

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