Modernization

VA signs $10B deal with Cerner

Acting VA Secretary Robert Wilkie signed the deal naming Cerner as the sole-source software provider on the agency's health record modernization effort.

People

Hill Dems want VA's acting CIO out

A group of lawmakers, led by the senior members of the House and Senate committees that oversee the Department of Veterans Affairs, are worried about the agency's new acting CIO and the slow pace of senior tech hires.

Digital Government

New rule eliminates state regs on VA telehealth

Medical practitioners in the Veterans Health Administration system will be able to conduct telehealth appointments regardless of location under the new "anywhere-to-anywhere" rule.

Acquisition

Senate probes VA's electronic health record spending

Multiple delays in signing a contract for a commercial electronic health record have lawmakers wondering when the money they appropriated will be spent.

People

Veterans' groups sue Trump over acting VA chief

Two advocacy groups are suing the Trump administration over its selection of defense official Robert Wilkie as the acting head of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

People

Uncertainty at VA after nominee withdraws

With White House physician Adm. Ronny Jackson's withdrawal, VA watchers are wondering what's next for the agency and its planned $16 billion health IT modernization project.

People

Scott Blackburn resigns as acting VA CIO

After less than a year in the top tech job at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Scott Blackburn is resigning effective immediately.

Acquisition

Epic won't protest Coast Guard move to Cerner

Acquisition-wise, it looks like smooth sailing for the Coast Guard's plan to join the Pentagon's nascent electronic health records system.

People

Does the Vacancies Act really matter?

The law is supposed to prevent acting officials taking on Senate-confirmed roles indefinitely, but the statutory language is vague and enforcement is uneven.

Digital Government

With Shulkin out at VA, what happens to the Cerner deal?

The Department of Veterans Affairs looked set to ink a $10 billion deal for new health record software system. Then the secretary got fired.

People

Shulkin out as VA chief

After weeks in limbo, President Trump announced that Dr. David Shulkin would no longer be serving as Veterans Affairs secretary.

Digital Government

How the U.S. Digital Service thrives in the Trump era

The tech shop that grew out of the Obama-era Healthcare.gov fix-it squad appears to be a permanent fixture of government under the Trump administration.

Digital Government

Shulkin: VA's health record modernization is a win for U.S. health care

Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin told House appropriators that he expected the agency's adoption of the Cerner electronic health care record to have far reaching effects on the interoperability of the U.S. health system.

Acquisition

VA goes all in on APIs

The agency's new Lighthouse project looks to nurture a community of developers to build apps incorporating VA data.

People

VA chief to reimburse for wife's travel, tickets

Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin is looking to put a highly charged oversight report behind him as he presses for his 2019 budget request.

People

IG rips VA chief over travel, tickets

Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin is in the crosshairs of an inspector general report, which alleges he improperly accepted government travel for his wife and free tickets to Wimbledon over the course of an offiical 10-day trip to Europe.

Digital Government

VA wants new budget line for commercial health record

The Trump administration plans to establish a $1.2 billion account for modernizing electronic health record management at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

People

Trump: Expand VA's firing authority governmentwide

In his State of the Union, President Trump touted the Department of Veterans Affairs' use of new power to terminate low-performing employees, and wants Congress to expand the measure to cover all agencies.

Acquisition

Senator seeks answers on pause in VA's Cerner deal

Sen. Jerry Moran is worried that the VA is going to miss the opportunity to streamline the implementation of its planned electronic health record system.

Digital Government

Digital fellowship program is back and growing for 2018

Building off last year's successful debut, the student-initiated Civic Digital Fellowship is back at more agencies, with more fellowship slots.