Modernization

HHS to crack down on providers blocking access to electronic medical records

The Department of Health and Human Services has received more than a thousand claims of blocked or stymied access to electronic health record information in recent years.

Artificial Intelligence

HHS looks to balance use of clinical data in AI with safety, bias considerations

The agency’s acting chief artificial intelligence officer discussed the future of AI in healthcare delivery.

Digital Government

VA offers veterans nationwide access to emergency telehealth care

The department said the new tele-emergency care resource will allow veterans to connect with clinical triage nurses for timely medical evaluations.

Policy

HHS reorg seeks to streamline tech, cyber policy

A new assistant secretary post will consolidate management of technology, data, AI and health IT.

Modernization

VA’s planned restart of EHR rollouts draws lawmaker concern

“I think we are far from ready to endorse further go-live activities,” Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., said about VA’s plan to resume deployments in fiscal year 2025.

Modernization

DHA looks to contract a ‘digital front door’ to modernize its health system

A DHA spokesperson said the agency is looking to build “a new healthcare model that places the administrative aspects of healthcare in the background.”

Acquisition

Biden budget cuts funding for health record refresh amid ongoing program 'reset'

VA’s proposed FY25 budget includes zero funding for future deployments of its new electronic health record system and allocates no additional funds for assessing rollouts at other sites.

Modernization

Chicago phase of VA's health record software deployment is live amid larger program 'reset'

The rollout of Oracle Cerner EHR software at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center is DOD’s final deployment of the new system and a critical test for the future of VA’s modernization efforts.

Acquisition

State is taking an ‘important step’ for planned EHR, as key lawmaker moves to speed it up

State’s Bureau of Medical Services has been working for more than a decade to replace its current paper-based medical record system with an electronic solution to better meet the healthcare needs of its diplomatic corps.

Acquisition

VA pharmacy tech glitches put 250,000 veterans at risk, officials say

Data transmission errors in the VA's new commercial health record could potentially lead to providers missing important prescription information on patients who visit multiple agency facilities.

Digital Government

FDA seeks industry support to develop standardized data ‘supersets’

The Food and Drug Administration is set to launch new pilot projects that aim to improve data interoperability and analysis across the public health community.

Acquisition

DHA names ineligible companies for $1.5B IT contract

The Defense Health Agency is looking to weed out potential conflicts of interest before they could arise.

Modernization

Averting the next pandemic with real-time health data

The Center for Public Health Data would aggregate federal, state and local health data and make it accessible in real time so it can be used for decision-making as health threats unfold.

Cybersecurity

Biden’s executive order sharpens health data privacy following Roe v. Wade overturn

The executive order brings federal enforcement to protecting location and health data, in order to prevent law enforcement abuses.

Acquisition

HHS establishes Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health

The Health and Human Services secretary also appointed an acting deputy director to manage the office.

Modernization

DOD-VA health record modernization not hitting interoperability targets, watchdogs say

In a joint oversight report, inspectors general at the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs say that some legacy health data isn't being migrated to new electronic health records systems.

Modernization

VA's latest EHR go-live: 'not flawless, but we're rolling'

Secretary Denis McDonough told House appropriators that the launch of the Department of Veterans Affairs new electronic health record system at a second site is meeting expectations.

Modernization

VA seeks dashboard to coordinate $21B health record project

The Office of Electronic Health Records Modernization wants a dashboard view of progress across the DOD and VA's interconnected software upgrades.

Modernization

HHS releases long-awaited electronic health info sharing framework

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT released the long-awaited Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement on Tuesday.

Modernization

VA delays EHR deployment due to COVID cases

The VA Central Ohio Healthcare System was supposed to receive a new EHR system deployment in March, but COVID spikes overwhelmed the workforce.