Digital Government
Questions loom about the future of open source at VA
With pressure from Congress to abandon the Vista health record system, Veterans Affairs CIO LaVerne Council is facing tough questions about the future of open source at the agency.
Digital Government
VA's digital health platform not dependent on VistA
The Department of Veterans Affairs' under secretary for health told a Senate panel on Wednesday that the future of the agency's health IT is not linked to maintaining the home-grown health records system VistA.
Cybersecurity
Senate bill would require VA to stop using SSNs
Sen. Tammy Baldwin has introduced legislation that would make the VA stop using Social Security numbers as identifiers in its IT systems.
Modernization
VA secretary presses Congress on funding for modernization
Robert McDonald said his agency can be modernized but not without the help of Congress.
Cybersecurity
VA taps UL for medical device cybersecurity
Testing and science firm UL will help the VA with a plan to protect connected medical IT from cyberattacks.
Cybersecurity
VA's CISO moves on
Brian Burns will be leaving the Department of Veterans Affairs on June 10 for a different federal agency.
Digital Government
IT subcommittee seeks GAO probe on VistA upgrade
A pair of IT leaders on Capitol Hill are seeking a GAO probe of efforts to modernize the Department of Veterans Affairs homegrown health record system VistA.
People
LaVerne Council drills in on her to-do list
The VA CIO sat down with FCW to discuss her agency’s reform efforts, new initiatives and relationship with Congress.
Digital Government
VA edges closer to rollout of new health record platform
The Department of Veterans Affairs is set to launch its new, modular, web-based electronic health record viewer this summer.
Modernization
Watchdog: VA benefits system lacks accurate audit logs
An Inspector General report revealed that Veterans Benefits Management System cannot effectively respond to security violations because of deficient audit logs.
People
Senate VA bill looks to change agency culture, accelerate termination for cause
A new bill would make it easier for the VA secretary to fire executives and rank-and-file employees.
Digital Government
Senate confirms VA watchdog
Attorney Michael Missal will join the Department of Veterans Affairs as inspector general. The agency had spent more than two years without a Senate-confirmed watchdog before Missal got the nod from the U.S. Senate on April 19.
Modernization
House panel rips VA leadership on scheduling software pause
VA officials were grilled by lawmakers on a pause in the acquisition of a scheduling system and a possible rethink of the agency's homegrown electronic health record.
Digital Government
House, Senate committees back $4.2B for IT at VA
House and Senate appropriations panels approved funding measures that essentially match administration requests for the Office of Information and Technology at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Modernization
VA plans major cloud procurement for FY16
With a handful of questions to industry, the Department of Veterans Affairs signaled a big move to the cloud as part of its "buy first" initiative.
Digital Government
House appropriators look for clarity on VistA modernization
Lawmakers are seeking more information from the Department of Veterans Affairs on the future of its electronic health record system.
Digital Government
VA CIO 'excited' about FITARA implementation progress
LaVerne Council tells legislators the Department of Veterans Affairs could become "the premier governmental agency of FITARA."
Digital Government
House panel presses VA CIO about info security
LaVerne Council, the top tech official at the Department of Veterans Affairs, updated lawmakers on cyber challenges facing the agency.
People