IT to Support Greater Collaboration Between VA, Indian Health Service

Interoperable health IT is a major component of an expanded partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Indian Health Service to improve the health of Native American and Native Alaskan veterans. The two government agencies last week signed a memorandum of understanding that spells out a plan for better coordination of care, resource sharing and collaboration based on the strengths of each entity.

"This memorandum of understanding is a renewal of the important partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Indian Health Service. It represents VA's commitment to American Indian and Alaska Native veterans through associations with the Indian Health Service and tribal facilities throughout the nation," VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said in a prepared statement. "The partnership further expands VA's capability to serve those veterans within their communities and provides increased access for veterans in extremely rural areas."