Digital Government

HHS advisory panel considers patient privacy rules

A federal advisory panel considers whether more rules are needed for patients' consent when exchanging medical data electronically.

Digital Government

Health IT gets a $220M funding transfusion

The Health and Human Services Department will give 15 nonprofit organizations $220 million for health IT pilot projects.

People

Health reform may cause agencies to beef up IT, report says

A market research firm reports on the IT implications of the health care reform law.

Digital Government

HHS panel wants database for health IT safety

An advisory panel wants a new national database to ensure the safe use of electronic health record systems.

People

Winners and losers under the NHIN Direct project

The Health and Human Services Department's NHIN Direct may cost state health information exchanges a way to make money.

Digital Government

House members seek parity for behavioral health electronic records

Lawmakers offer legislation to help mental health professionals buy health IT systems.

Digital Government

Broadband plan lays groundwork for health IT growth

FCC recommends ways HHS and Congress could facilitate broadband access for health IT.

Acquisition

HHS awards $267M for health IT regional centers

The Health and Human Services Department funds centers designed to help doctors and rural hospitals use health IT.

People

Health IT data security crude in some companies, says CMS CIO

Julie Boughn, the chief information officer for Medicare and Medicaid, says companies that want to work with her agency often display amateurish data security.

Digital Government

AHRQ publishes data formats for some electronic reporting

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has released its updated version of common data formats to enable electronic reporting of patient safety data.

Digital Government

HHS provides $144M for health IT training and research

The Health and Human Services Department is handing out $144 million to set up health IT workforce training programs and health IT research projects.

Digital Government

HHS' Blumenthal disputes rumors on health IT spying

HHS is collaborating with the Justice Department on nationwide health data exchange, but that does not mean the data will go to law enforcement or national security agencies, according to Dr. David Blumenthal, national coordinator for health IT.

Digital Government

Think tank finds complex benefits and risks in health IT

The Obama administration's drive for health information technology implementation is occurring while health IT risks and benefits are not well understood, according to a new think tank report.

Digital Government

Obama sets sights on next Medicare administrator

Though the White House has not made it official yet, President Obama reportedly knows who he wants to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.

Digital Government

DEA issues rule on e-prescribing for controlled drugs

The Drug Enforcement Administration's new interim final rule would allow doctors and dentists who e-prescribe controlled substances to use their fingerprints or other biometric data to prove their identity.

Digital Government

HHS panel considers central authority for health IT vocabulary

A central authority may be needed to oversee common vocabulary terms for health data exchange and electronic health records.

Digital Government

IT plays critical role in health care reform

Health information technology and electronic health records (EHRs) underpin many of the provisions in the comprehensive health reform legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by the president.

People

Web-based network created for health IT CIOs

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives has set up a national online network to smooth collaborations between state health IT CIOs.

People

National broadband plan promotes health IT, telemedicine

The Federal Communication Commission's National Broadband Plan includes health information technology and telemedicine.

Digital Government

HHS advisers consider new database for health IT safety

A workgroup for the Health and Human Services Department today proposed a new health IT patient safety national database and reporting system.