Digital Government
Inside Commerce efforts to break data siloes and improve integrity
An agency official also encouraged public comment on a proposed overhaul of the census that would eliminate race questions and change who is counted as living in the U.S.
Trump signs veterans benefits order calling for improved data sharing
The order instructs the departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense to conduct a broad review of information technology-related contracts to ensure greater interoperability.
SSA needs to enhance its data verification systems, watchdog finds
Improving matches between agency and external data could reduce improper payments, inaccurate records and manual work for federal employees the agency’s inspector general found.
14 organizations are looking to join federal electronic health record program
The office tasked with helping agencies deploy the federal EHR is looking to move toward cloud infrastructure, enhance interoperability and scale an artificial intelligence technology.
White House mandates agencies use Login.gov for public-facing websites
The Trump administration will still allow agencies to use commercial credential service providers in addition to the in-house capability, but it is strongly encouraging them to promote Login.gov.
CDC releases overdose prevention data hub
The agency “wants to ensure maximum transparency to empower patients, providers and other stakeholders as we continue our battle against the opioid epidemic,” said CDC Director Erica Schwartz.
Social Security expands electronic health record sharing to speed up disability claims adjudication
A health data sharing superhighway “allows SSA to access complete, structured medical records within seconds or minutes for claimants, helping to significantly reduce disability claim processing times,” an agency official told Nextgov/FCW.
Blue states seek to stop DHS from accessing commercial driver's license database
In a court filing, a coalition of Democrat-led states says the Department of Homeland Security’s demand for trucker data is part of a broader effort to create a “nationwide surveillance system.”
Trump admin delays TANF data sharing plan opposed by blue states
Democrat-led states are concerned the administration will share cash assistance recipients’ sensitive information with immigration enforcement and other federal agencies.
The government wants your help solving today’s biggest challenges
NIH is offering $1 million for practical ideas that could help long-acting HIV prevention and treatment reach more people, and applicants do not need a traditional research background to participate.
Federal agencies quietly joined health data superhighway governing council
The rapidly growing superhighway — known as TEFCA — will help federal agencies digitally obtain health records from thousands of hospitals, clinics and other medical providers.
DOGE took credit for savings that never happened, watchdog finds
The Department of Government Efficiency claimed tens of billions of dollars in savings on its infamous “Wall of Receipts,” but the Government Accountability Office found it touted savings that never happened and could not be substantiated.
GSA’s digital roadmap looks to enhance agencies’ services, CIO says
Efforts to speed up adoption of new capabilities have “disrupted the longstanding practice of how technology is driven into this government,” GSA CIO Dave Shive told Nextgov/FCW.
GSA teases future steps to improve Login.gov user experience
The agency is touting recent updates to the platform ahead of its 10 year anniversary next April.
CMS quietly moved a Medicaid technology project to a federal data hub as new eligibility requirements approach
Federal technology offerings promise to help states implement some parts of Medicaid work requirements kicking in on Jan. 1, 2027, but not all of them.
HHS continues health tech initiative with 7 new industry pledges
The Trump administration says 60% of Americans now have access to medical records through an app of their choice because of its health technology initiative.
Government service delivery needs standard definitions, former government tech leaders say
A patchwork of technical definitions mean Americans are missing out on benefits and agencies face an additional administrative burden, a new paper from Democratic think tank Searchlight Institute says.
GSA to take its Emerging Tech Showcase governmentwide
The live and virtual event invites all of government to attend and will feature senior federal leaders, practitioners and industry experts sharing what’s working in government technology and innovation.
VA wants more input on proposals to streamline benefits application forms
The Department of Veterans Affairs is sourcing feedback on two proposals to shorten the length of benefits forms but has thus far only received a total of nine comments since the recommendations were posted last month.
Beeck Center leader reflects on ‘bipartisan opportunity’ for government efficiency
Efforts at the federal level generated a lot of headlines, but at the state level, where the goal is delivery, a lot more progress can be made, said the head of the Georgetown University-based center.
