Veterans First: VA’s Drive to Modernize IT, Accelerate Benefits & Harness AI

Original broadcast: 9/07/25

On this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, the conversation centers on how federal agencies can connect innovation to mission. The program begins with Elizabeth McCarthy, Senior Director for Federal Solutions at Maximus. She explains that agencies must start with mission priorities and then align financial management and data to support innovation. She notes many organizations still struggle with data quality, making governance and data cleansing essential for advanced analytics. McCarthy also highlights the importance of risk management, automation, and strong security practices. She emphasizes that preparing the workforce for AI—through upskilling and change management—is critical to driving innovation forward.

Next, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Paul Lawrence, joins to discuss the VA’s electronic health records project. He stresses that the initiative is not just an IT project, but a full transformation of veteran care. Lawrence outlines lessons learned from previous delays and underscores the VA’s focus on standardization, geographic rollout, and listening to both veterans and providers. Veterans report better healthcare experiences where the system is already in use, while providers welcome reduced administrative burdens. Lawrence affirms that the VA workforce remains committed and that technology, leadership, and feedback will shape a faster, more effective VA for the future.

From Data Chaos to Mission Power: How Agencies Can Finally Unlock Innovation

Elizabeth McCarthy, Senior Director for Federal Solutions at Maximus, explains how agencies can link financial management with their missions through innovation. She stresses that mission priorities must come first, followed by aligning data and financial systems to support decision-making. Many agencies still face challenges with data quality, making governance and cleansing tools vital for consistent, reliable analytics. McCarthy highlights the importance of naming conventions, standardized formats, and strong governance strategies to prepare data for advanced technologies. She also points out that risk management is central, with automation creating opportunities to reduce manual monitoring tasks. Maximus recently achieved CMMC Level Two certification, strengthening its ability to help agencies with security and compliance. Finally, McCarthy emphasizes that preparing people for change—especially with AI adoption—is critical. Agencies need to upskill employees, provide guardrails, and build trust so teams can embrace new tools that drive efficiency and innovation.

Key Takeaways:

1. Agencies must align mission priorities with financial and data strategies.
2. Strong governance and data preparation are essential for effective analytics.
3. Upskilling the workforce is critical for successful AI adoption.
   
   

VA’s High-Stakes Transformation: The EHR Project That Will Redefine Veteran Care

Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence discusses the Department of Veterans Affairs’ electronic health records (EHR) initiative. He emphasizes that the project is more than an IT upgrade—it is a full transformation of how the VA delivers care. The VA is moving toward standardized processes and geographic rollouts to avoid past customization roadblocks. Lawrence reports that veterans who use the new system already experience better healthcare, while providers appreciate spending less time on administrative tasks and more time practicing medicine. He explains that the rollout schedule runs through 2031 and is designed to ensure readiness, including equipment updates, data cleaning, and staff preparation. Workforce and veteran feedback are central to guiding improvements. Lawrence also highlights the VA’s progress in reducing benefits backlogs and improving service speed, attributing gains to strong leadership, process adherence, and renewed focus on mission-first delivery.

Key Takeaways:

1. The VA’s EHR project is a transformation of veteran care, not just an IT system.
2. Standardization and geographic rollouts are key to ensuring successful deployments.
3. Feedback from veterans and providers is shaping improvements in both healthcare and benefits delivery.