Apple in Talks to Offer Veterans Access to Electronic Medical Records on iPhone

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Apple is holding talks with the Department of Veterans Affairs about offering electronic health records to military veterans, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Apple already provides access to electronic medical records through the Health app on iOS devices for patients of participating hospitals and medical groups.

health records ios 11
Under the terms of the discussions, Apple would expand the feature to veterans, creating special software tools that would allow the VA's estimated nine million veterans to transfer their records to the iPhone.

According to The Wall Street Journal, top VA officials and associates from Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club discussed the project in emails that were obtained by the newspaper. The emails suggest the Trump administration "wrestled early on with the project's goals."

Apple first introduced its Health Records feature in the United States in the iOS 11.3 update released in March. More than 100 medical providers and hospitals have signed up to partner with Apple, allowing iPhone users to access their health records on their iOS devices.

Simple access to health records across multiple medical providers allows patients and doctors alike to better track healthcare. Health Records displays information that includes allergies, vital signs, conditions, immunizations, medications, labs, and procedures.

Health records can be accessed in the Health app under the "Health Data" section. After choosing and authenticating with a provider, all relevant medical data is available through the Health app and is updated automatically following doctor visits.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

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Top Rated Comments

thespazz Avatar
thespazz
94 months ago
This is not a political post. Should not be posted here.

The VA has typically VERY technology forward when it comes to electronic medical records. They manage and maintain one of the earliest electronic medical records known at this time. CPRS/ViSTA has been around since the 1970s and is actually quite effective. It has some aspects that are a little quirky, but what medical record doesn't?

I would see the VA being willing and open to integrating with Apple. I would be quit thrilled to see an EMR solution like this available at the VA. Those who say "government hurrr durrr" don't have an understanding of the VA's ability to incorporate new technologies. They're a little slow, but they usually advance at a good pace. For instance, they have an electronic consent program that is miles ahead of the public and private institutions locally in my city. They also have a great 2 factor authentication system that is far and away the most secure implementation that I have used in my time as both a medical student and a resident physician.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mariusignorello Avatar
mariusignorello
94 months ago
As great as this would be, the government will screw it up as always. Technology and government never seems to mix well.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tridley68 Avatar
tridley68
94 months ago
In all fairness government screws up everything it touches.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
noslenam Avatar
noslenam
94 months ago
First why don’t they give veterans a big discount because most of them probably can’t afford alot of what Apple has to offer.

I’m not a vet but my dad is and the only way they have iPhones are because we have purchased them for them.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThunderSkunk Avatar
ThunderSkunk
94 months ago
In all fairness government screws up everything it touches.
That’s in all fairness?
If you idealistic anarchists had any idea how much of what exists today only exists because the big bad inept evil government grabbed the idea with one hand and pulled out its wallet with the other, you’d realize how absurd that ideology is.

But as explained in the post, this isn’t about the gov creating or running something, it’s about Apple asking permission and doing it. Not that politics people ever need to actually read the articles to base wild opinions on...
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dontwalkhand Avatar
dontwalkhand
94 months ago
I don't know about all of the negative nancys out there with this. Guys this is a good thing, and they have got start somewhere. They also have the same integration with the Mayo Clinic as well. Hopefully soon most hospitals and doctors offices will start supporting this as well.

The idea is this:

-Apple Wallet will hold all of your credit, debit, and other passes.
-Health will hold all of your health information and Medical ID cards.
-ONE state in the US now has a digital driver's license, Louisiana, I know Arizona is getting it next. In most states, if not all, allow you to use your car insurance on your insurance company's app.
-HomeKit to unlock your doors, set your temp, open your garage door
-Something in the car to start the car, etc.
-Many transit agencies offer apps to get on a bus/train.

The idea is that this is the ONLY thing one would need to carry with you. It is a godsend out there for men who don't have purses to lug stuff around in.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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