Modernization
VA taps CARES Act funds for IT
The Veterans Benefits Administration at the Department of Veterans Affairs is looking to reprogram about $250 million in COVID-19 emergency funding to modernize its troubled education benefits system.
Cybersecurity
VA reports data breach affecting 46,000 veterans
Scammers trying to divert payments for medical care compromised an online system belonging to the Financial Services Center.
Modernization
VA reboots health record rollout
Leaders of the VA's $16 billion health record modernization plan look to jumpstart their implementation schedule.
Modernization
Energy Dept. looks for AI impact
Two recently-announced artificial intelligence collaborations show how the technology can affect real world problems, according to the head of the Energy Department's AI office.
Digital Government
No failures, but some declines in 10th round of agency FITARA grades
Although all two dozen agencies got passing grades on the latest Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) scorecard, some agencies had cybersecurity and reporting challenges.
Digital Government
Digital government: the vital prerequisite to a 'new normal'
As the dust settles and pandemic restrictions ease in the coming months, government agencies have a prime opportunity to shift from a state of reactivity to proactivity.
People
VA secretary touts department's telework, telehealth efforts
Secretary Robert Wilkie also discussed the electronic health care records rollout and VA's need to pay more for certain essential hires.
People
Agencies begin slow return to the office as COVID restrictions ease
Veterans Affairs, State, Agriculture and other federal agencies are ramping up operations and bringing more workers into the office.
Digital Government
Federal CX in the age of COVID-19
Government agencies have also had to shift in significant ways to operate in this unique environment and interact with citizens differently.
Acquisition
GAO probes influence of 'Mar-a-Lago crowd' on VA
A former VA official told the Government Accountability Office that three friends of President Trump established a "shadow reporting structure" in which "they were stakeholders without a formal role."
Acquisition
Infrastructure readiness lags behind VA health record plans
The first go-live date for the Cerner health record at a VA facility was delayed first because of readiness problems and then because of COVID-19 pandemic, but an oversight report indicates that infrastructure woes plagued the project almost from the beginning.
People
VA tech system freezes out workers, union complains
A Philadelphia AFGE local alleges that stress on the VA system has led workers to risk reprimand for working off-hours and that the Veterans Benefits Administration won't share contingency plans with employees.
People
VA medical staff push for more PPE, agency bill of rights
As more patients and staffers contract coronavirus infections, employees are seeking more personal protective equipment, collaboration with management and hazard pay.
People
Court ruling makes investigating whistleblowers easier
Whistleblowers must prove retaliation through official personnel action under the WPA
People
Temporary Excused Paid Leave sounds good but is hard to come by
Feds with dependent care responsibilities that stretch them to the breaking point have a stopgap once leave options are exhausted, but many agencies are reluctant to put it in play.
Digital Government
VA delays Cerner health record deployment
The Department of Veterans Affairs is delaying the rollout of its $16 billion health record modernization project so that the health system serving 9 million veterans can focus on the COVID-19 pandemic.
People
Union warns of coronavirus exposure in federal prisons, VA facilities
The American Federation of Government Employees filed complaints with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration about alleged violations of safety standards.
People
AFGE head: Federal managers are exacerbating pandemic risks
In a recent interview, AFGE National President Everett Kelley said that some agencies have directed managers to exclude unions from key decisions involving employee safety.
Digital Government
VA health record go-live pushed back to July
The Department of Veterans Affairs is delaying a planned initial deployment of its $16 billion electronic health record project by four months, but is promising added functionality at the go-live date.
Modernization
Senate panel passes VA tech oversight bill
In the wake of the Department of Veterans Affairs' delay of the initial go-live date of its $16 billion electronic health record modernization system, a Senate committee has passed a bill that requires the agency to be more transparent about the status of big-ticket IT projects.
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