President Bush has signed into law the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2006. In addition to expanding healthcare benefits and setting aside money for new facilities, the bill is an attempt to better secure the personal data of millions of veterans. The bill will require the VA to encrypt all data and to centralize its management of information technology and security systems. It also specifies procedures to follow in the event of a theft of personal data.

TRICARE Explores New Benchmark for Prescription Drug
The cost of prescription drugs is one of the fastest growing segments of health care expenditures for all health benefit carriers and TRICARE is no exception, spending nearly $4 billion on reimbursements to retail prescription drug providers in Fiscal Year 2006. TRICARE recently met one-on-one with pharmaceutical and health benefit providers to obtain feedback how best to determine prescription drug reimbursement rates to retail pharmacies. To view the full news release, please visit the TRICARE web site.

DoD and VA Announce Plans for Joint Inpatient Electronic Record System
The Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced plans for the joint acquisition and use of a new common inpatient electronic health record system. The two departments now have separate systems that require upgrade. Despite obvious differences in mission, such as DoD's requirements to support its combat theaters, pediatric and obstetrical patients and VA's requirements to support domiciliary care, both agencies believe that the similarities in clinical and business processes may make the adoption of a common inpatient EHR a viable option. Adopting a joint electronic solution for the documentation of in-patient health information will facilitate the seamless transition of active duty service members to veteran status.