People

HHS awards $162M for health data exchanges

The Health and Human Services Department has announced the final group of states that will get economic stimulus law money for statewide health information exchanges.

Modernization

DHS lags in oversight for data center, IG says

Homeland Security Department officials haven't reviewed invoices for more than $160 million in spending related to DHS' primary data center operating on Navy property,

Digital Government

VA opens center for virtual training of IT workforce

The Veterans Affairs Department's new training center for information technology employees is up and running.

Digital Government

HHS advisers consider new database for health IT safety

A workgroup for the Health and Human Services Department today proposed a new health IT patient safety national database and reporting system.

Modernization

FDA broadens reach through widgets, content syndication

A widget embedded on partner Web sites drove more than 20 million visitors to FDA.gov to learn more about the peanut recall.

Cybersecurity

System errors lead SSA to issue replacement cards in error, IG says

The Social Security Adminstration's computer systems for tracking the issuing of replacement SSN cards is lapsing a high percentage of the time, according to a report from the IG.

Digital Government

VA has prototype of Aviva EHR system

The Veterans Affairs Department has taken delivery of a prototype next-generation digital health record system known as Aviva.

Digital Government

What role should government play in health IT?

An HHS federal advisory workgroup describes four strategic roles for the federal government to play in health IT.

Acquisition

VA seeks vendor to automate Agent Orange claims processing

The Veterans Affairs Department wants to hire a contractor by the end of April that can automate processing Agent Orange claims by September.

People

VA to save $37M through cutbacks in replacement scheduling program

The Veterans Affairs Department expects to generate $37 million in savings by cancelling portions of its Replacement Schedulinig Application Development program.

Cybersecurity

Customs at odds with DHS IG over report on small-biz goals

Officials at Customs and Border Protection say a draft report by the inspector general contains 'misstatements of fact and inaccuracies that are misleading.'

Digital Government

VA and DOD expand health data exchange pilot

The Veterans Affairs and Defense departments are beginning a health data exchange pilot project in Virginia as the next phase of their virtual lifetime electronic record development.

Digital Government

Kaiser policies for veteran health records still raising questions

A conflict may exist in Kaiser Permanente's descriptions of its security policies on electronic health records.

Digital Government

VA may restore access to DOD medical record systems soon

The Veterans Affairs Department is working to fix remaining computer glitches that caused it to restrict electronic access to Defense Department patient medical record systems.

Digital Government

Kaiser official defends security practices for veterans health data

Electronic data exchange safer than U.S. Mail, Kaiser official says.

Cybersecurity

DHS awarded noncompetitive contracts without having adequate records, IG says

The Homeland Security Department's Inspector General found gaps and missing data when he searched records on contracts awarded without open competition.

Cybersecurity

Emergency communications center stalled, GAO says

The Homeland Security Department and its federal partners are still in the early stages in forming an emergency communications preparedness center, a report says.

Modernization

FCC awards $145M for telehealth networks

The Federal Communications Commission is distributing $145 million to 16 telehealth projects.

Digital Government

What HHS' entry into e-health record certification means

It remains to be seen whether HHS'Notice of Proposed Rulemaking released yesterday is a game changer for certification of electronic health records.

Digital Government

HHS issues proposed rule for certification of electronic health records

The Health and Human Services Department is rushing a temporary certification program into place for EHR systems so that providers can quality for stimulus payments that start Oct. 1.