Digital Government

Health IT panel endorses preliminary certification procedure

A federal advisory committee today endorsed the idea of setting up a new temporary procedure for certifying electronic health records.

Cybersecurity

IG fears risks to DHS stimulus money

The Homeland Security Department's inspector general has said DHS should work to mitigate risks that may affect its capability to prudently spend, manage and report on $2.8 billion it got in stimulus money, including hundreds of millions for technology.

People

Rising Star Robert Lech

Lech developed a grant-reporting system to help the Housing and Urban Development Department meet the requirements of the recovery act.

People

Dr. Blumenthal: NHIN architecture a 'work in progress'

Dr. David Blumenthal, HHS' Naitonal Coordinator for Health IT, gives an exclusive interview to FCW on NHIN, health IT and health care reform.

People

Is the nation's health network healthy?

Although Congress is pumping billions of dollars into development of health IT, the nation's health information-sharing infrastructure is not yet ready for prime time. Some say it needs a total overhaul, while others argue for pressing on.

People

SSA to award contracts for NHIN links

The SSA is on track to award $24 million in contracts to help health care providers link to the Nationwide Health Information Network.

Modernization

Recovery Act board publishes data dictionary

The board that oversees spending under the economic stimulus law has released a list of data elements to be used to standardize reporting.

People

EHR standard released by public/private group

The primary standards body for health IT has released a specification for EHRs designed for the economic stimulus law.

People

Blumenthal defers judgment on FISMA use

The top federal official for health IT is reserving judgment on whether all entities engaged in sharing health information ought to comply with FISMA

Cybersecurity

Official: Panel wants privacy protection for electronic medical records

A federal advisory panel wants encryption and access controls to protect patients' medical records. official says.

Digital Government

Health record haste sparks privacy fears

A privacy advocate warns that proposals for EHRs postpone several major privacy protections.

Digital Government

Health IT panel recommends 31 IT measures

A workgroup of the Health IT Standards Committee has recommended 31 performance measures for electronic health records.

Modernization

Site maps stimulus spending

The Recovery.gov Web site for tracking spending under the economic stimulus law spending has new mapping features.

Digital Government

Health IT: More certification groups could speed stimulus-related spending

A federal advisory group has recommended that multiple organizations be able to test and certify vendor systems to meet the economic stimulus law's requirements for electronic health records.

Modernization

NTIA wants volunteers to review broadband grants

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration wants volunteers to review applications for $4.7 billion in grants for broadband expansion.

People

Rep. Towns: States need help managing stimulus money

The chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee said states need guidance on how to oversee stimulus law spending.

Digital Government

Groups want to push back health IT deadlines

Health groups are urging the government to extend the proposed deadlines for adopting health IT under the economic stimulus law.

Digital Government

Agency will study health IT workflow

A federal health agency will study how doctors change their workflows to adapt to health IT.

Digital Government

SSA seeks more access to NHIN

The agency is considering having providers use the Nationwide Health Information Network to submit medical records that help SSA determine applicants' eligibility for federal disability payments.

People

Health IT coordinator to harmonize record standards, network

The National Coordinator for Health IT plans to resolve differences between electronic patient records and the National Health Information Network data exchange system.