Digital Government
Lawmakers Need to Enhance VA’s Oversight of Oracle EHR Rollout or ‘Move On,’ Top Republican Says
House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chair Mike Bost, R-Ill., said Republicans and Democrats in both chambers of Congress are largely aligned “on what we know we want to fix and the problems that we’re seeing” with the deployment of VA’s new EHR system.
Digital Government
Veteran Deaths Lead Lawmakers to Call for VA to Renegotiate Oracle EHR Contract
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester said that VA should “negotiate an entirely new contract” with Oracle Cerner following the revelation that the EHR system has resulted in the deaths of four veterans.
Modernization
Official: VA’s Legacy EHR Must Be Maintained, But Not a Long-Term Solution
The official cautioned that “modernization would require VistA be rewritten almost from scratch.”
Modernization
VA’s New EHR System ‘Continues to Burn Money,’ Top Republican Says
The U.S. comptroller general told members of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee that VA has spent “over $1.7 billion dollars for failed predecessor electronic healthcare record systems” prior to the new Oracle Cerner EHR system.
Emerging Tech
VA Delays Health Record Go-live at Key Michigan Site
The Ann Arbor, Mich., site was set to be the first Level 1 facility to host the new Oracle Cerner health record in June.
Digital Government
VA Announces Winners of $20M Challenge to Prevent Veteran Suicides
The 10 winners of the VA’s Mission Daybreak challenge developed innovative solutions that leveraged technology, artificial intelligence and mobile apps to help reduce the number of veteran suicides.
Modernization
Top Senator Says Modernizing VA’s EHR 'Is Not Optional'
After leading GOP lawmakers introduced legislation to terminate the deployment of VA’s new electronic health record program, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.—chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee—said upgrading the system “has to be done.”
Digital Government
VA Centers Talent Recruitment and Remote Work in Its Operations Revamp
The agency’s chief people officer described efforts to attract high-skilled workers affected by layoffs across the tech sector and expand telework opportunities to modernize tech-centric operations.
Digital Government
Industry Voices Complaints Over Short Response Window for $60B VA Recompete
Contractors had only four business days to weigh in on the draft solicitation for the next version of the Veterans Affairs Department's T4NG IT solutions vehicle.
Modernization
House Republicans Seek to Mandate VA's EHR Program Improve or Face Termination
Leading GOP lawmakers on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee introduced legislation to expand oversight over the VA’s new electronic health record system and, if need be, to terminate the program.
Digital Government
VA is Working to Add New Features to its Health and Benefits App
The VA’s mobile phone app, which surpassed one million downloads last year, is rolling out new prescription refill and travel reimbursement services for veterans in the coming months.
Policy
Former Presidential Innovation Fellow Stresses the Program’s Importance for Tech Recruitment
Current VA CTO Charles Worthington noted that PIF and other programs offer an important avenue for technologists to serve the public, while the government is looking to attract top talent.
Modernization
Veterans Affairs Unveils Draft for $60B T4NG 2 Vehicle
But time is short: comments regarding the VA's go-to technology contract are due Friday.
Policy
VA’s Initiative to Recruit Laid Off Tech Workers is Paying Off, Official Says
The VA’s ongoing efforts to recruit high-skilled professionals displaced by layoffs across the tech sector are helping to fill a host of tech-related vacancies in the department.
Modernization
Despite Issues, VA’s EHR Deployment Remains Scheduled to Pick Up in Mid-2023
The Department of Veterans Affairs and Congress are continuing to support the rollout of the agency’s new electronic health record system, even as lawmakers remain concerned about the project’s cost and effectiveness.
Emerging Tech
Veterans Health Administration, Verizon Working to Test 5G Drone Technology
An innovation hub at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System is undertaking a pilot program to test and deploy 5G drones and related technologies to improve safety.
Digital Government
VA Cancels Future Deployments of New Supply Chain Management System
The agency’s decision to transition away from using the Defense Department’s supply chain logistics solution comes after lawmakers and the VA’s Office of Inspector General questioned the system’s value.
Digital Government
'It's a Great Time' for Laid off Tech Workers to Take a Job at VA, Agency CIO Says
During a media call on Friday, the VA’s CIO and CTO discussed the department’s efforts to attract new talent amid thousands of layoffs across the tech sector.
Digital Government
GDIT Receives $84 Million Contract to Support Traumatic Brain Injury Research
The research and support contract, awarded by the Defense Health Agency, has an eight-month base period with three option years.
Digital Government