People

Advocate says stimulus law causes outsourcing; contractor group disagrees

One transparency advocate says the economic stimulus law causes outsourcing of federal jobs.

People

Government agencies to spend $15 billion on health IT by 2014

Federal, state and local governments are projected to spend $15 billion in 2014 for the IT systems that support their public health and health insurance programs.

Modernization

Federal sites rapped over accessibility problems

When the revamped Recovery.gov went live this month, advocates for people with disabilities noticed the site had accessibility limitations. Other sites also have lapses in complying with accessibility laws.

Cybersecurity

E-Verify would get three-year extension in spending bill

The House and Senate have both approved a three-year extension for the E-Verify employment verification system in the Homeland Security Department's spending legislation.

Cybersecurity

Federal student aid data isn't secure, IG says

The Education Department's student aid program risks unauthorized data loss or access problems if the department doesn't improve its information security, a new report says.

Cybersecurity

Wireless medical records system comes to Indianapolis

Emergency medical workers in Indianapolis and its suburbs now have access to electronic health records.

Digital Government

HHS faces hurdles on electronic exchange of medical lab results

Medical labs vary widely in how prepared they are to use electronic medical records, according to testimony today.

People

VA and industry join to develop health record strategy

The VA's CIO has asked an industry group to advise the department on whether to deploy the VistA digital health record system more broadly to private hospitals and providers.

Modernization

VA offers grave-locator service to mobile devices

The VA has expanded its nationwide grave locator service so the service is available on smart phones.

Cybersecurity

SSA needs more planning for data systems upgrades, GAO says

The SSA is exchanging data more than one billion times a year and needs to do more to prepare for an increasing data exchange caseload, the GAO says.

Modernization

Stimulus reporting comes in fits and starts

Although more than 112,000 recipients met a deadline of Oct. 10 for filing spending reports, others are still struggling to comply.

People

New IT tools to track swine flu

Just in time for flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have begun using new tools to track seasonal and H1N1 flu and educate the public about treatment.

People

Health IT vendor sets up CDC with free flu tracking network

Health IT vendor Cerner Corp. has set up a national flu tracking network in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control.

People

Big things in store for GovLoop

GovDelivery plans to add staff, boost services and give the networking site a much broader audience, says CEO Scott Burns.

Modernization

FEMA revamps Spanish language site

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has redesigned a Spanish-language Web site with disaster information and a user-friendly format.

People

DEA counsel wants to buy new case management system

The Drug Enforcement Administration's Office of Chief Counsel is looking for an off-the-shelf software application that could track and manage cases for 102 attorneys.

People

Agencies spent billions of stimulus money on noncompetitive contracts

Federal agencies have awarded $7.8 billion on noncompetitive, non-fixed-price contracts under the economic stimulus law, a government Web site says.

Cybersecurity

Wronged travelers to get new system for filing complaints

The Homeland Security Department has agreed to replace its IT support system for the Traveler Redress Inquiry Program to fix longstanding problems, a new report states.

Modernization

Web-based health insurance portals get Senate committee nod

The health reform bill approved by the Senate Finance Committee would establish Web-based health insurance portals to be used by millions of consumers.

Modernization

Only a small part of stimulus spending will be reported, coalition says

The Coalition for an Accountable Recovery said the amount of economic spending law being reported is a fraction of the total.