Cybersecurity
Change Healthcare attack did not result in harm to veteran care, VA says
The Department of Veterans Affairs said the ransomware attack impacted just over 40,000 veterans’ prescription orders but that it moved to quickly fill the requests.
Modernization
DOD’s new EHR faces low user satisfaction and integration challenges, watchdog finds
A GAO report found that “integration opportunities remain” at the joint DOD and VA rollout of their modernized EHR systems at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center last month.
Modernization
VA cautiously optimistic that ‘very positive’ March EHR rollout shows reset is working
VA Secretary Denis McDonough said the department plans to restart deployments of its new health records system in FY25.
Digital Government
Lawmakers to include VET-TEC renewal under broader veteran bill, per committee spokesperson
VA’s five-year tech training pilot expired April 1 after Congress failed to pass legislation to renew the program.
Acquisition
T4NG2 protests grow to 14 with more possible
A dozen companies have gone to the court with questions over how the Veterans Affairs Department evaluated proposals for the $61 billion technology modernization contract vehicle.
Modernization
VA plans to restart EHR deployments before the end of FY25, secretary says
Despite VA’s fiscal year 2025 budget request not allocating any money toward the deployment of its new EHR at additional medical facilities, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said it has “existing money” that will be made available to resume system rollouts.
Modernization
VA not sharing details on supply chain upgrade, Republican lawmaker says
Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., who heads a House subcommittee focused on tech at Veterans Affairs, said “there does not seem to be any approved budget” for the new supply chain system, which the department estimates to cost between $9 billion and $15 billion.
Modernization
VA officials tout EHR rollout at Chicago site amid efforts to address oversight concerns
Although implementation of VA’s EHR system at additional sites remains paused, a critical rollout of the software at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center earlier this month was “the most successful deployment we’ve had,” VA Undersecretary for Health Shereef Elnahal said.
Modernization
Issues with VA’s new EHR have contributed to patient harms and one death, watchdog says
Three new reports from VA’s Office of Inspector General detail problems with the pharmacy module and scheduling service of the Oracle Cerner EHR system that made it difficult to reschedule medical appointments and effectively track veterans’ prescriptions.
Acquisition
Biden budget cuts funding for health record refresh amid ongoing program 'reset'
VA’s proposed FY25 budget includes zero funding for future deployments of its new electronic health record system and allocates no additional funds for assessing rollouts at other sites.
Modernization
Chicago phase of VA's health record software deployment is live amid larger program 'reset'
The rollout of Oracle Cerner EHR software at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center is DOD’s final deployment of the new system and a critical test for the future of VA’s modernization efforts.
Policy
VA budget bill maintains EHR funding but imposes additional ‘reset’ oversight
The bipartisan FY24 budget package allocates over $1.3 billion for the agency’s new electronic health record system but makes 25% of that funding contingent on enhanced transparency around VA’s ongoing EHR “program reset.”
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers urge VA to tread carefully with AI
The Department of Veteran Affairs’ 2023 inventory of AI use cases listed 100 instances where VA is working to use emerging technologies, with at least 40 of those examples in an operational phase.
Acquisition
VA pharmacy tech glitches put 250,000 veterans at risk, officials say
Data transmission errors in the VA's new commercial health record could potentially lead to providers missing important prescription information on patients who visit multiple agency facilities.
Cybersecurity
Contracts featuring automation, built-in security can boost agencies’ cyber defenses, VA officials say
As the federal government looks to harden its cyber resilience, officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs said agencies should work to modernize outdated technologies and ensure that vendor contracts include more rigorous security standards.
Digital Government
Vet centers need better systems, data to enhance support services
Watchdog officials warned lawmakers that the community-based counseling centers for returning veterans use a platform for identifying those at high risk of suicide that is “neither effectively nor consistently utilized.”
Artificial Intelligence
VA should establish an AI disclosure process, Republican lawmaker says
Though the Department of Veterans Affairs has already made “admirable” use of artificial intelligence, transparency “has got to be elevated to a top priority,” according to Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont.
Modernization
At VA, cloud is still emerging tech
The agency's CIO said that "cloud still has huge potential for us."
Digital Government
VA’s compliance with accessibility requirements still lacking, watchdog says
The Department of Veterans Affairs “did not effectively manage website accessibility to ensure Section 508 compliance,” according to an audit conducted by the department’s Office of Inspector General.
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.
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