Modernization

VA’s EHR decision and the future of government

By using insight-driven thinking and tools, the collaboration between VA and DOD could result in a revolutionary person-centric service model.

Modernization

Senators urge VA to lean on DOD in health record push

The chairmen of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Armed Services committees hope that VA will learn from the Pentagon's commercial health record deal.

Cybersecurity

IG: Infosec weaknesses remain at VA

The 2016 FISMA report shows VA still struggling to secure its networks and data, despite making strides on eliminating vulnerabilities.

Modernization

A long slog ahead for VA health record modernization

Lawmakers who welcomed the news of VA's plan to shift to a commercial health record now have to strap in for a multi-year implementation.

People

VA chief: fast firing authority will improve morale

President Trump is expected to sign a bill granting new authority to fire and discipline VA employees on an expedited basis. Secretary David Shulkin thinks the measure will help improve flagging morale at the agency.

Modernization

VA expects to add an integrator to health record mix

After coming to terms with Cerner on a price for its electronic health record system, VA expects to pivot to finding an integrator to handle legacy interoperability and change management.

Digital Government

Congress offers $65M as down payment on Vista replacement

House Appropriators are budgeting $65 million for the Department of Veterans Affairs to launch its plan to acquire a commercial health record, but the funding comes with conditions.

People

VA accountability bill clears Congress

The House approves a Senate bill that gives the Veterans Affairs secretary new authority to discipline and fire problem employees while enhancing whistleblower protections.

Modernization

Timeline, budget for VA health record switch in progress

VA Secretary David Shulkin told a Senate panel it could take up to six months before a plan is in place to acquire services from commercial electronic health record provider Cerner.

Acquisition

VA preps for its sprint to acquire a commercial health record

After announcing it would switch to a commercial electronic health record system, the Department of Veterans Affairs must race to make a deal with Cerner.

Modernization

VA to dump Vista for DOD's electronic health record system

Citing an urgent need, Secretary David Shulkin announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs would bypass open competition and buy into the solution chosen by the Defense Department in 2015.

Modernization

VA chief will seek IT funding supplemental

Once the Department of Veterans Affairs makes a decision on the future of its electronic health records system, it will seek money from Congress to put the plan into place.

Digital Government

VA looks at cut in tech funding

While the Department of Veterans Affairs gets a budget bump in the administration's spending plan, the line item for IT comes in for a cut as the agency mulls shifting its tech strategy.

Digital Government

Senators offer new VA bill after court nixes firing measure

A new accountability bill would make it easier for leaders at the Department of Veterans Affairs to fire problem employees.

People

Court tosses VA's expedited firing authority

A federal court invalidated part of a 2014 law that makes it easier to fire VA workers, and the agency wants a replacement from Congress.

Modernization

VA chief talks commercial Vista

Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin told House appropriators that the agency was closing in on a decision about the future of its homegrown electronic health record.

People

New VA office to focus on whistleblowers, accountability

President Trump visited the VA's headquarters to sign an executive order setting up a new office inside the agency to target problem employees and protect whistleblowers.

Modernization

VA mulls cloud-based version of Vista

The Department of Veterans Affairs is examining the possibility of keeping its Vista health record, but as an outsourced, commercialized cloud-based service.

People

Harvard students spin up gov-tech internship

The federal government may be getting a summer tech and data science internship program analogous to those offered by Silicon Valley, thanks to three Harvard undergrads.

People

How Trump's management order gives VA 'air cover'

An organizational overhaul is coming to the veterans' agency under the president's executive order on government management.