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

HHS doesn't have plan for IT pandemic surveillance, GAO says

A 2006 law requires the Health and Human Services Department to produce a strategic plan for monitoring public health electronically in near-real time, but the department hasn't done so, according to GAO.

Modernization

HHS to help push 'text4baby' service to 1 million

Mothers and mothers-to-be can sign up for the free text4baby mobile health program being expanded this month with help from the Health and Human Services Department.

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

New website to monitor fed travel excesses

A new independent issue website has been launched this month, focusing on publishing information on what its staff argue is wasteful travel by federal government employees.

Digital Government

CDC publishes social media toolkit online

Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention share the lessons they have learned by using Facebook, Twitter, podcasts, blogs and other social media.

Acquisition

Focus on error-prone contractors to find improper payments, HHS IG says

Medicare could do better at identifying improper payments by looking to providers who are most likely to make errors, according to the Health and Human Services inspector general.

Digital Government

DOD cuts will slow overall fed IT spending growth

Federal spending on IT will increase slightly in the next five years. Who can expect to see their budgets grow and who faces cuts, according to new TechAmerica Foundation Vision survey forecasts.

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.

People

National Library of Medicine opens application portal

The National Library of Medicine introduced a new website to help developers and the public create mashups.

People

CDC awards grants for public health performance management systems

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wants to boost the performance management capabilities of public health agencies with new funding.

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.

Modernization

Indian Health Service launches online best practices database

The Indian Health Service wants the public to add content to its new online inventory of best practices and services.

Modernization

HHS offers widget for identifying health insurance choices

The Health and Human Services Department has an online widget to help people identify the health insurance plans are sold in their states.

People

Innovative NIH online purchasing system honored

National Institutes of Health's Purchasing Online Tracking System generates $1 million in savings a year by eliminating double data entry and reducing staffing and resource costs.

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.

People

HHS employees, industry partners jump-start innovations

Todd Park is the go-to guy for open government at the Health and Human Services Department, where he's also involved with health reform and health information exchange.