Modernization
Why Veterans Affairs Isn’t Waiting for a ‘Perfect’ Health Records Solution
The department’s aiming for as seamless a solution for medical records as technologically possible, VA Secretary David Shulkin said.
Modernization
VA Wasted $1.1 Billion on Failed IT Projects in Six Years
The department gave the bulk of the billion to 15 contractors—one of which is getting a sole-source $10 billion contract to try again.
Modernization
Lawmakers to VA: “We’ve Got Your Back” on $10B IT Contract
Congress expressed its support for VA's electronic health records contract with Cerner, but promised to keep a close watch on its implementation.
Emerging Tech
Rethinking Federal Customer Experience
This ebook looks at how agencies are baking customer experience into their missions.
Policy
Continuing Resolution on Congress' Post-Holiday To-Do List
Congress moved along IT modernization and defense authorization bills but still faces funding the government.
Digital Government
VA To Run Massive Survey of High-Risk Vets
Electronic medical records don’t always tell the full story of a veteran’s healthcare.
Digital Government
This One Rule Informs All of Veterans Affairs' Customer Service Decisions
Bells and whistles are great, but they don't matter if they aren't helping customers, Veterans Affairs Department's Lynda Davis said.
Ideas
Customer Experience Bills Pose Hidden Risks for Citizens
A section of the bills calls for anonymizing data, but that could prevent some agencies from helping with their outreach missions.
Digital Government
Veterans Affairs CIO Stepping Down
After another high-profile departure, there are 11 acting CIOs across the 24 CFO Act agencies.
Ideas
Technology Could Enable Better Suicide Prevention for Veterans
To better take care of high-risk patients, the Veterans Affairs Department needs to get technology that frees up caregivers' time.
Digital Government
VA Needs to Better Track Teleworking Employees
The department needs to ensure employees are still processing claims in a timely and accurate manner, GAO said.
Digital Government
How VA Turns Survey Data into Better Veteran Health Care
Real-time feedback could help the Veterans Affairs Department direct respondents to task forces for suicide or homelessness.
Emerging Tech
Nextgov Event: Join Us Thursday to Talk About the Tech Workforce
Find out what the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and Veterans Affairs Department offer their employees to boost skills and spark innovation.
Digital Government
Veterans Affairs to Adopt Same Commercial Health Records Platform as DOD
Secretary David Shulkin said there was a public interest exception in skipping a full and open competition.
Digital Government
Meet the Woman in Charge of Customer Service for Millions of Vets
Dr. Lynda Davis, VA's chief veteran experience officer, will continue working on Vets.gov and getting real-time feedback for veterans.
Digital Government
Veterans Calling VA's Crisis Line Can Finally Get Through. Here’s Why.
A team of techies and customer-service professionals starting tackling the problem in 2015.
Digital Government
VA Experiments with Real-Time Dashboard of Vets' Feedback
The agency wants feedback whenever and however veterans want to send it.
Digital Government
Can Trump Make Veterans' Health Care Great Again?
Trump has "a chance to lead, not just in the VA but in the country, in bringing the internet to health care,” former federal CTO Aneesh Chopra says.
Digital Government