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

VA exec suspended; reason unclear

The department is preparing to name an interim director for its small-business advocacy office after VA suspended the office's executive director.

People

VA, GAO fight over system development process

The Veterans Affairs Department and Government Accountability Office are fighting over an IT development process omission that could have broader implications.

People

VA's IG criticizes some IT programs, claims major savings

While questioning some IT programs, VA Inspector General George Opfer said his office's efforts had resulted in $1.2 billion in savings, avoided costs and other monetary benefits.

Cybersecurity

Unencrypted thumb drive causes breach at VA

Two recent security incidents at the Veterans Affairs Department involved employees who didn't follow protocols despite receiving training to do so.