Modernization

VA leaders cite progress on health record interoperability

Top Veterans Affairs officials testified this week that electronic health record sharing with the military is operational, while putting the brakes on modernizing their own health records system.

People

Veterans Affairs deputy CIO to depart

Art Gonzalez, deputy CIO for Service, Delivery, and Engineering at the Department of Veterans Affairs plans to leave his position on March 5.

Cybersecurity

VA seeks more than $100M in new cyber funding

The VA's tech budget request includes a big increase for cyber, as well as money for shared services and health record interoperability.

Digital Government

VA chief lays out 2016 priorities, including IT improvements

Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald touted IT achievements in 2015 and laid out 12 priorities for 2016 in an appearance before the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

Digital Government

Hill watchdogs warn on shortcomings in VA's claims system

The Veterans Benefits Management System has improved responses to compensation claims, but government watchdogs are questioning the VA's claims of improvement, as well as overall agency management.

People

VA hires second-ranking IT official

Ron Thompson, a senior IT official at the Department of Health and Human Services, is getting the number two post at the Office of Information and Technology at Veterans Affairs.

Acquisition

Embracing failing grades and moving forward

After an abysmal performance on the FITARA scorecard, some CIOs are owning their terrible grades and focusing on how to make improvements.

Digital Government

Are agencies listening to their watchdogs?

Lawmakers quiz oversight officials about why agencies aren't taking their advice.

Digital Government

VA taking free advice from tech firms on scheduling

The Veterans Affairs chief and a Virginia lawmaker applaud the public/private partnership working on fixing the troubled VA medical scheduling system.

Digital Government

Pentagon and VA set to certify on health record interoperability

The 2014 defense bill required the VA and the Pentagon to get their acts together on sharing health data. The agencies' two giant health systems are about to certify that they have complied.

Digital Government

VA watchdog-in-waiting promises more whistleblower protections

The Inspector General nominee at the Department of Veterans Affairs told a Senate panel he could institute reform in the short time he'll have on the job.

Digital Government

VA's troubled IT is a campaign trail topic

Technology issues don't play a prominent role in the presidential campaign, but some Democratic candidates are exploring one key issue in their Veterans Day messages.

People

VA names new info security chief

CIO LaVerne Council tapped agency insider Brian Burns for the key role of chief information security officer.

Digital Government

VA chief touts interoperability

The key to improving veterans' health care is electronic health records that are interoperable among VA, DOD and the private sector, VA Secretary Robert McDonald said.

Cybersecurity

VA says employment portal for veterans is secure

VA's online Veterans Employment Center is a showcase for the agency's agile development policies, officials say, but some are worried the site is luring cyber criminals.

People

Turco to leave Veterans Health Administration

The chief financial officer will retire at year's end, capping a 32-year federal career.

People

VHA taps Fred Mingo to help lead Vista Evolution

A 2006 Fed 100 honoree is taking a leadership role in one of the biggest IT projects in the federal government.

People

Women, send in your resumes already

Men might barge ahead with an application, but women tend to hold back unless they feel 100 percent qualified for a job. The VA's CTO says her experience shows why that's a terrible approach.

Digital Government

Nontechnical problems doomed joint VA/DOD health record, top official says

Chris Miller, the Pentagon's point man on electronic health records, offers some real talk on why interoperability between DOD and Veterans Affairs is proving so difficult.