Cybersecurity

E-Verify fails to catch half of unauthorized workers, study reveals

About 3 percent of the E-Verify caseload consists of workers who improperly gained approvals from E-Verify to work in the United States, says a report commissioned by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Digital Government

E-health record system certification requests rise sharply

Since Feb. 12, 46 vendors have applied for certification of their digital record systems from the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology.

Cybersecurity

Coast Guard hopes third time is the charm for troubled Deepwater program

The Coast Guard has nearly finished the third fleet mix analysis of its $27 billion Integrated Deepwater System asset acquisition project, at a time when the program continues to have problems with affordability and management, according to a new report.

Digital Government

FDA weighs tighter oversight of health IT apps to protect patients

The Food and Drug Administration is considering stepping up its oversight of patient safety related to health IT software, according to an FDA official.

Digital Government

Huge size of DHS contractor workforce leaves senators 'astonished'

Sens. Lieberman and Collins say the huge size of DHS's contractor workforce is 'unacceptable, untenable and unsustainable.'

Modernization

VA may revive canceled scheduling program

The Veterans Affairs Department has canceled its Replacement Scheduling Application Development program, for which it has spent at least $167 million, but it is likely to come back to life in a different form, according to a senior official.

Digital Government

Government-specific clouds a boon to feds, Kundra says

Federal CIO Vivek Kundra said at a breakfast today that federal data centers, web sites and email programs all may benefit from government-dedicated cloud computing.

Modernization

Surgeon general collaborates with Microsoft for online e-record management

The U.S. surgeon general is expanding its online tool to allow consumers to assemble their family medical histories by adding links to Microsoft's HealthVault Personal Health Record application.

Digital Government

HHS awards $100M for pediatric e-health records

The Health and Human Services Department is investing in the development of pediatric electronic health records in 18 states.

Cybersecurity

DHS officials reluctant to debar, suspend contractors, IG reports

DHS Inspector General Richard Skinner is accusing department acquisition officials of being "reluctant" to initiate debarment and suspension actions against contractors.

Digital Government

Change comes to FDA's reporting structure

FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg elevates the Office of Women's Health so that it now reports directly to her, and creates an Office of Special Medical Programs for pediatric, combination and orphan drugs, as well as an Office of Foods.

People

VA pulls plug on failing IT projects, saves $54M

Veterans Affairs Department terminates its Enrollment System Redesign, Pharmacy Reengineering and 10 other failing information technology projects

Digital Government

White House sets up health IT task force

The Office of Management and Budget and HHS are creating a health IT task force for better coordination.

People

VA's CIO is 'comfortable' with flat IT budget

Roger Baker, the Veterans Affairs Department's CIO, told a House panel today that although the fiscal 2011 budget is flat for information technology, it is enough to fulfill the department's needs.

People

VA has shortage of IT program managers, CIO says

The Veterans Affairs Department's CIO, Roger Baker, said today he's having trouble getting enough experienced federal IT program managers.

People

Obama's health plan would expand use of IT

President Obama's health care plan includes some new databases and IT systems to reduce fraud and waste.

Digital Government

Indian Health Service to upgrade its EHR system

The Indian Health Service plans to upgrade its digital health record system this year.

People

FCC boosts telemedicine in plan preview

The FCC's preview of its National Broadband Plan's top priorities emphasizes telemedicine and e-health technologies.

People

CDC starts online surveillance of blood transfusion events

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is collecting data about the after effects of blood transfusions as part of a new application of its Internet-based National Healthcare Safety Network.

Digital Government

Hospitals face compliance problems with HITECH Act

Hospitals are coping with new privacy and security regulations for health information technology that went into effect Feb. 17.