Modernization
Ongoing ‘reset’ looks to put VA’s EHR deployment back on track
An agency spokesperson said VA is "committed to resuming the system rollout" but performance and productivity goals need to be hit before additional deployments are rescheduled.
Artificial Intelligence
Priming the workforce is key to future AI efforts, federal IT leaders say
One agency tech leader is urging IT workers inside government and out to "get into the shallow end of the AI swimming pool" and experiment with the new tools.
Acquisition
Veterans Affairs sheds more light on $14B transformation recompete
The department's main health care agency announces its decision on which companies will be eligible and reveals more on how teams can be structured.
Emerging Tech
VA creates new monitoring system after glitch affects more than 120,000 veterans’ claims
Officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs said they’re creating a new system to notify officials “within 24 hours” of any issues affecting electronically filed claims.
Modernization
There’s a ‘big disconnect’ between users and developers of VA’s new EHR, lawmaker says
A 2023 survey of VA employees using the Oracle Cerner electronic health record system found that just 26% did not have issues with system availability.
People
VA's tech training program will soon expire — lawmakers hope to save it by year's end
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chair Jon Tester, D-Mont., said he is working with lawmakers to reauthorize VA’s VET-TEC pilot before the end of the year.
People
VA attributes record-breaking year to massive increases in hiring
The department will now focus on retaining those employees through various incentives and process improvements, officials say.
Modernization
VA's health record 'reset' will extend into 2024
There's one deployment of the new, multibillion dollar EHR on the books for next April and officials expect the rollouts to pick up in the summer.
People
Senate confirms deputy secretary at VA
Tanya Bradsher takes over as the top official tasked with managing the Department of Veterans Affairs’ troubled electronic health record project.
Digital Government
VA extends PACT Act filing deadline after website glitches
The Department of Veterans Affairs is giving eligible veterans an extra week to announce their intention to submit claims under a law that expands benefits for exposure to toxic substances.
Digital Government
'High volume’ of last-minute PACT Act submissions caused tech glitches, VA says
Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough stressed that no veteran or survivor who received an error message “will miss out on a single day of benefits due to this issue.”
People
Biden administration to spend $100M-plus to restore jobs or offer payments to employees improperly fired
The settlement agreement resolves an issue that arose during the Trump administration.
Cybersecurity
VA CIO says a zero trust ‘North Star’ is essential to secure veteran data
VA Chief Information Officer Kurt DelBene told Nextgov/FCW that the department “faces a unique challenge” in adopting zero trust because of the need to secure veterans’ personal information.
Modernization
VA official expects Oracle Cerner to deliver on $10B EHR contract despite layoffs
While lawmakers and officials expect work to continue as planned, an insider warned that layoffs at Oracle Cerner targeted a clinical team that worked to implement new electronic health record systems.
Policy
All Veterans Affairs police officers to be issued bodycams, dashcams by end of 2023
The Department of Veterans Affairs said it will begin issuing in-car and body-worn cameras on June 20, starting with officers at the VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network in Long Beach, California.
Modernization
VA to lean on automation, better IT to tackle wave of benefits claims
The component responsible for overseeing veterans’ benefits programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs believes that automation and modernized IT systems will enhance its processing of PACT Act-related claims.
Digital Government
House Passes Bill to Permanently Authorize VA’s Tech Training Program
VA’s VET-TEC pilot ran out of funding last month, but lawmakers in the House and Senate are moving to permanently authorize the technology education program.
Digital Government
10 Vendors Receive Over Half of VA's IT Contracts, Drawing Lawmaker Concern
A Government Accountability Office representative told House lawmakers that Veterans Affairs’ IT obligations have been “increasingly concentrated with a small group of vendors.”
Modernization
VA Lacks Goals to Assess Satisfaction With New EHR, Watchdog Finds
The report from the Government Accountability Office found that the absence of such goals has limited the agency’s ability to “objectively measure progress toward improving EHRM users’ satisfaction.”
Cybersecurity
‘Continuing Significant Deficiencies’ Hamper VA’s Information Security Controls, Audit Finds
An audit released by the VA Office of Inspector General found that the department “needs to implement improved controls” to address persistent gaps in its information security program.
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