Epic Systems Corp. may lose its part of a $642 million government contract to provide its commercial computerized patient-scheduling system to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) if home-grown software that’s 99% cheaper works.

Some members of Congress, however, question the VHA’s decision to put its Epic contract on hold, as well as its ability to develop its own software, in the wake of accusations that officials continue to falsify records on the wait times veterans endure to receive clinical care.

“This seems like deja vu all over again to me,” said Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, (D-N.H.), quoting Yogi Berra.

Kuster is the ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Her remarks came during a hearing Thursday on Veterans Administration health information technology projects.

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