Digital Government

HHS wants your input on plan for improving health care

The Health and Human Services Department is seeking public comments on a draft copy of the Federal Health IT Strategic Plan, which focuses on health IT adoption, information sharing and improved health outcomes.

People

Fed health IT leader submits resignation

Dr. David Blumenthal has been leading the federal effort to distribute about $20 billion in economic stimulus law funding for electronic health record implementations across the country.

People

NIH, CDC sign global pact on data sharing

Several funders of public health research are coming closer to overcoming barriers to information sharing with a new global agreement, supporters say.

People

Federal IT employees face good prospects in commercial job market

Federal IT employees interested in moving to the private sector should have no problem finding a job, as long as they tailor their résumés to specific positions and keep pace with new technology developments.

Modernization

President's Council seeks to accelerate government network advances

The PCAST report highlights areas of national priorities in IT R&D, such as health, education, transportation and energy, and the research frontiers the nation should tackle next.

Digital Government

SSA will overhaul medical coding systems

The Social Security Administration received a good report card on its low rate of medical coding errors, but now it looks like a complete redo of the coding system is in the works.

People

HHS boosts rate for Medicaid enrollment IT systems

The Health and Human Services Department will increase the money paid to help states establish insurance exchanges.

Digital Government

HHS sweetens the pot for states building health exchanges

The Health and Human Services Department announced a grant program that will fund up to five states or consortiums to build exchanges that HHS hopes will serve as models for other states.

Digital Government

HHS works on framework for health IT standards

David Blumenthal, national coordinator for health IT, told a House subcommittee that HHS is working on a framework for standards and interoperability of health IT.

Digital Government

Health care agency to spend $473M on IT projects

A DHS agency will spend $473 million for comparative effectiveness research on allowing patients to compare treatments.

Digital Government

Beware of an impending e-records train wreck

Outdated technologies and inadequate transparency are hampering HHS's electronic health records effort, but the experience could provide lessons other agencies can use to avoid similar pitfalls, says columnist Michael Daconta.

Digital Government

HHS distributes $20M to rural hospitals for health IT

The Health and Human Services Department has announced $20 million in additional economic stimulus law grants to help rural hospitals install electronic health record systems.

Digital Government

Smart phone as clinical tool: A teledermatology pilot program

A smart-phone pilot project gives patients in underserved areas better access to dermatologists.

Modernization

Smart phone as patient tool: A mental health application

A project funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse turns a smart phone into a tool for aiding people with borderline personality disorder.

Modernization

How your mobile phone could help keep you healthy

With smart-phone use on the rise, health care agencies are launching a variety of mobile applications for patients and providers.

Digital Government

State, local health IT spending projected to be $10B by 2015

Spending on state and local health information technology systems is expected to rise by 19 percent during the next five years, according to market research firm Input Inc.

Digital Government

HHS' new strategic plan emphasizes health IT

The Health and Human Services Department has asked for feedback on its draft strategic plan for 2010 to 2015.

Digital Government

HHS to give states $1M each for health insurance exchanges

States and the District of Columbia will get $51 million to help them set up new insurance marketplaces.

Digital Government

Health IT evangelists find help in the cloud

The Health and Human Services Department recently purchased a cloud computing solution for its regional extention centers that not only helps them do their jobs, but also provides performance information back to HHS.

Digital Government

New center to spur innovation in health care

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will test new ideas for saving money while preserving quality of care.