According to the Pentagon’s chief of health affairs, William Winkenwerder, DOD’s new digital medical record system—known as AHLTA, and it’s not an acronym—is one of the ways in which DOD is “leading the way” in medical interoperability and data sharing. He told reporters last week that DOD transfers electronic records every month to Veteran Affairs on separated service members. The VA is not so certain they are getting what they need. The Government Accountability Office agrees with VA and the issue is becoming a sore spot with some lawmakers.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi met U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Jan. 15 as the two nations look to further solidify their ties in the face of growing Chinese and North Korean threats.
