At HIMMS, Jared Kuschner mentioned interoperability as a means to save lives. In addition, he posed customer (patient) ownership of healthcare data as a key principle of the Administration's strategy.
Perhaps this will be the focus of any changes to the VA EHR upgrade. I wonder if industry contacts, such as apple, have the presidents ear? No matter the reason, we should be encouraged.

Interoperability, encouraging signs from the White House https://t.co/LfOrKWFavs
— Andrew King (@andrewsjourney) March 15, 2018