Digital Government

VA, Kaiser to exchange digital patient data

The Veterans Affairs Department and health care provider Kaiser Permanente are collaborating to share patient medical data electronically, starting in December.

Cybersecurity

IT security for medical devices a problem, officials say

Medical devices on the VA's networks make it difficult to ensure data security, two senior officials told a federal health IT panel.

People

Recovery site hosts bad data, GAO says

The Recovery.gov Web site should move quickly to address data quality problems, a GAO official recommends.

Digital Government

FAA computer failure reflects growing burden on systems

The Federal Aviation Administration is racing to upgrade its computer systems while the demand on its existing capabilities continues to increase.

Digital Government

FAA identifies computer error that caused delays

A software problem that caused flight delays across the country today was not the first serious hiccup Federal Aviation Administration computer systems have suffered in recent years.

Digital Government

DHS to take a closer look at IT spending

DHS prepares for less funding with reviews of major buys, including IT acquisitions, official says.

Cybersecurity

SSA should keep a close eye on computer access, IG says

The Social Security Administration is generally following FISMA guidelines, but needs to do more close monitoring of computer access controls, SSA's inspector general finds.

Digital Government

NIH preparing small business GWAC for IT services

The National Institutes of Health has released a draft RFP for a small business set-aside acquisition vehicle that will cover a broad array of IT services.

Digital Government

Hospitals tighten security on patient data

More than half of health care executives surveyed said they are buying new cybersecurity tools to comply with the economic stimulus law's requirements to protect patient data.

Digital Government

Medical mapping tool ready for test drive

The National Library of Medicine has released a draft mapping tool to link a standardized medical vocabulary of clinical terms to applications for billing and claims.

People

GAO says it saved taxpayers $43B in fiscal 2009

The Government Accountability Office estimates that it has helped save taxpayers $43 billion in fiscal 2009 based on improvements that originated in its reports.

People

Survey shows federal agencies need help with transparency

A new survey of 200 federal managers found that 54 percent have some capabiities in place, but not all, to meet new transparency requirements.

People

Putting Web sites to the test

Users with disabilities often must find ways around accessibility problems on federal sites to get the information they need.

Acquisition

Contractor database hit from both sides

Did the federal acquisition councils go too far or not far enough in designing a new database for contractors’ past performance and legal compliance? That depends on whom you ask.

Modernization

Gov 2.0: Transparency without accessibility?

Despite progress, advocates say some high-profile federal Web sites still fail to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

People

HHS seeking solutions to address FISMA compliance for health exchange

Federal health IT leaders are looking for ideas on how federal agencies can maintain their FISMA compliance while also engaging in patient data exchange.

Modernization

SSA faces hurdles in replacing data center, IG says

The Social Security Administration has to meet a high level of expectations in spending economic stimulus law funding for a new data center, according to a report from the inspector general.

Cybersecurity

Coast Guard takes charge as integrator lead in procurements

Although the House voted last month to ban using lead systems integrators for Coast Guard procurements, the service is still using that structure temporarily on two major acquisitions, its procurement chief says.

People

New contractor database draws fire

Industry and good-government groups criticize a new database that would be used to judge contractors before making awards.

People

Some IT projects may have $2 billion in overruns, GAO says

The GAO found $2 billion in cost overruns compared with original estimates for 16 major IT projects.