Modernization
VA expecting claims backlog to peak this summer
Recent additions to the backlog of veterans affected by Agent Orange are going to add to an expected spike in the backlog of pending benefits claims at the Veterans Benefits Administration, but agency officials are still aiming to get the levels closer to pre-pandemic numbers by the end of fiscal year 2022.
Digital Government
Biden's $1.5 trillion 2022 budget plan tilts spending toward civilian agencies
The administration is adding money to multiple tech modernization programs and removing the Overseas Contingency Account from the Defense Department request and folding in warfighting funds into the base budget.
Digital Government
How the government could become the next Airbnb
Emerging and established technologies hold great potential for addressing our nation's evolving challenges; the trick is in helping government agencies integrate them into their operations.
Modernization
VA chief looks at spend, productivity on $16B health record modernization plan
Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough told House lawmakers on Thursday that performance and joint execution were issues driving the 12-week "strategic review" of the Electronic Health Record Modernization program.
People
A career fed does a stint at USDS
Steve Kelman checks in with procurement innovator and past Fed 100 winner Mark Junda on his latest chapter.
Modernization
VA plans 'strategic review' of $16B software program
New Veterans Affairs chief Denis McDonough announced a "strategic review" of the agency's Electronic Health Record Modernization program of up to 12 weeks.
People
VA watchdog cautions on pandemic hires
Temporary waivers to speed hiring at VA medical facilities have helped fill workforce gaps, but the agency's Inspector General warns on security risks of putting off certain security checks.
Digital Government
How to improve health IT
The past year has called unprecedented attention to public health systems and their underlying data, but federal agencies' struggles with health IT long predate the COVID-19 pandemic.
People
AFGE looks to maximize two years of Democratic control on Capitol Hill
Although workplace safety is top of mind, the American Federation of Government Employees wants Congress to pursue action beyond the reversal of Trump workforce policies.
Modernization
Watchdog: pause on VA's $16B electronic health records project might be needed
The Government Accountability Office wants the VA Secretary to postpone new installations of the Cerner electronic health record while the agency irons out the most serious system problems.
People
COVID premium pay varies across Veterans Affairs
The lack of national direction from the Department of Veterans Affairs on issuance of pandemic "premium pay" has left regional VA networks and local facilities to decide which employees get additional pay for working on the front lines of the pandemic -- and how much.
People
Biden taps former Obama aide to lead VA
Denis McDonough would be the second non-veteran to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.
People
VA vaccine distribution will require 'Herculean effort,' says VA official
The agency is preparing to receive initial shipments of vaccines, but getting it to rural areas of the country will be a challenge.
People
VA union claims victory in termination case
In win for the National VA Council, the Federal Labor Relations Authority dismissed the VA's exceptions to an arbitrator's award that requires it to reinstate union employees fired without performance improvement plans.
People
Federal panel sides with VA on union contract
The Federal Service Impasses Panel largely sided with the Department of Veterans Affairs in a contract ruling in a case between the VA and the National Veterans Affairs Council (NVAC).
Acquisition
VA reports smooth go-live from $16B electronic health record system
The performance of infrastructure, end-user devices exceeded agency expectations on the VA's first go-live on its new electronic health record system.
People
An extraordinary public servant, now a little the worse for wear
Steve Kelman checks in with longtime VA leader Ed Meagher, who was recently honored for a lifetime of citizen service.
Acquisition
FEHRM releases interoperability strategy
The strategy from the Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization program office offers a set of goals that are more about health outcomes and empowering patients that specific technological benchmarks.
Acquisition
VA on the fence about homegrown patient portal
The My HealtheVet tool used by more than 3 million veterans to access care at the Department of Veterans Affairs could be retired in favor of a tool from vendor Cerner as part of the agency's $16 billion electronic health record software upgrade.
Cybersecurity
House passes stopgap spending bill
The current appropriations bills are set to expire on Oct. 1; the bill now goes to the Senate where it is expected to pass.
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