People

Flu funding could go to states

Some of the $1.5 billion that the Obama administration has requested to fight the H1N1 virus – the cause of the swine flu outbreak — could go to state public health disease tracking and monitoring programs.

People

Official: Some flu money would go to states

The president's request for $1.5 billion to deal with the swine flu outbreak includes money to help states respond to the disease, an HHS official said.

People

Health IT group wants incentives for EHRs

A health IT organization wants the Obama administration to take an incremental approach in implementing the economic stimulus law concerning electronic health records.

People

New swine flu money could go for monitoring

The administration's request for $1.5 billion to deal with swine flu could fund disease monitoring and tracking.

Cybersecurity

Swine flu hearings set; OPM issues guidance

Senate and House panels have scheduled hearings on the disease outbreak, and the Office of Personnel Management has issued advice to federal employees.

Modernization

Firm provides swine flu updates to agencies

A private firm is providing updates on the swine flu outbreak in Mexico to U.S. health agencies and the public.

Cybersecurity

HHS releases guidance on securing electronic health data

The department issues guidelines on encryption and destruction to protect sensitive personal health records.

People

New health IT coordinator will act fast on stimulus

Congress wants a health IT operations plan by May 15 before it releases stimulus funding, a senior official from the coordinator’s office said.

Cybersecurity

VA, DOD to create lifetime e-record

President Barack Obama said VA and DOD are moving toward a single, lifetime electronic health record for active-duty service members and veterans.

People

Obama creates health reform office

White House health reform office would provide leadership to form policies and priorities for federal efforts to improve access and quality of health care.

People

Kolodner to retire from federal government

The national coordinator of health IT plans to retire once his successor, Dr. David Blumenthal, is ready to take over the office, Government Health IT reports.

Modernization

HHS makes software available for health IT network

The department said it wants to encourage health organizations to connect to the nationwide health information network by using the open-source software.

People

Agencies should not fear being early adopters

The early adopters among us can be a pain in the neck sometimes, if only because what is so obvious to them remains so alien to us.

People

GAO appoints HIT committee members

The Government Accountability Office has named 13 members to the Health Information Technology Policy Committee, an advisory body established by the economic stimulus law.

People

Baker to focus on results as VA's CIO

The former Commerce Department chief information officer also was a technology adviser on Obama's transition team.

Digital Government

Stimulus money heightens urgency for health IT guidance

HHS and the health IT coordinator must ramp up standards work to meet stimulus deadlines.

People

GAO names Health IT panel members

The HHS secretary and congressional leadership would name seven more members to a panel that will advise on policy for a nationwide health IT infrastructure.

People

VA, DOD will share patient records

The two departments will meet a Sept. 30 deadline for single, interoperable electronic health record, said a senior interagency program official.

People

Obama names national health IT coordinator

Physician David Blumenthal will lead HHS efforts to direct spending of $19.5 billion in economic stimulus funds for health IT to advance implementation of the nationwide health information infrastructure.

Modernization

Billions in stimulus money seen for technology

About $100 billion in economic stimulus funding is slated for technology projects, according to an analysis by the TechAmerica trade association.