Digital Government
VA would keep 97 percent of employees working during shutdown
The Veterans Affairs Department released a contingency plan and field guide today describing what steps will be taken in the event of a government shutdown.
People
VA CIO erred in firing Martinez, judge rules
An administrative judge has reversed a decision by Veterans Affairs Department CIO Roger Baker that removed a VA deputy assistant secretary from her job.
Digital Government
VA, DOD agree on joint platform for e-health records, Shinseki says
The Veterans Affairs and Defense departments have come to an agreement on creating a joint platform for their electronic medical record systems, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki told a Senate subcommittee today.
Digital Government
Wounded warriors' care impeded by incompatible systems
The Veterans Affairs and Defense departments set up a special program in 2007 to coordinate care after the negative publicity about gaps in care at Walter Reed. But there are still gaps because of their information systems, according to a new report.
Digital Government
State lawmakers oppose open source for VA health records
Five Wisconsin lawmakers are urging the VA and Defense Department to consider the benefits of a single vendor for an electronic health record system, according to a Nextgov report.
Digital Government
VA attacked for poor use of Facebook, other social media
Veterans Affairs Department officials are confronting criticism that they are not doing enough to reach veterans on Facebook and social networks.
Cybersecurity
IT management is key to security, CIO says
Government IT security lags behind the private sector because of a lack of centralized budget operational authority, VA’s Roger Baker said.
People
VA CIO says department has $700M carryover money for IT
The Veterans Affairs Department's IT budget is facing cuts in fiscal 2012, but there is $700 million in leftover funds from previous years, says CIO Roger Baker.
Digital Government
DOD, VA prepare recommendation on joint EHR for late March, official says
The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments have been working on a joint strategy for using electronic health records.
Digital Government
VA asks for 11 percent more but IT budget doesn't change
The Veterans Affairs Department is requesting a 10.6 percent increase overall and a flat budget for its IT programs.
People
How to grow young feds at your agency
Given all the pressures on the federal workforce, agencies will soon have to do more to keep younger employees on board.
Digital Government
VA's blog grapples with possible suicide notes
The VA Vantage Point blog has seen a recent pattern of distressing comments that could be suicide notes posted by veterans.
Digital Government
VA sets off flurry of talk over weather delays on Facebook page
The Veterans Affair Department wanted interaction on Facebook -- and it got it -- when it started a discussion about delaying payments to veterans.
Digital Government
DOD, VA not working well together on digital medical records, GAO says
The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments aren't working effectively together on a strategy for joint digital medical records, a new report says.
Modernization
VA doctors' foray into cloud causes potential breach
The Veterans Affairs Department is notifying 878 patients that their personal medical data might have been breached as a result of VA physicians using a Yahoo.com cloud calendar.
People
The VA's CIO wants IT budget restoration
Veterans Affairs Department CIO Roger Baker said his department saved $250 million through management discipline of IT projects in fiscal 2010.
Digital Government
Senate panel would cut VA's IT budget
The Veterans Affairs Department wanted a flat IT budget for fiscal 2011, and now it is getting a slight cut in that budget.
Digital Government