Obama orders agencies to make data open, machine-readable by default

Sean Gallagher | ArsTechnica | May 9, 2013

President Barack Obama issued an executive order today that aims to make "open and machine-readable" data formats a requirement for all new government IT systems. The order would also apply to existing systems that are being modernized or upgraded. If implemented, the mandate would bring new life to efforts started by the Obama administration with the launch of Data.gov four years ago. Read More »

MaineHealth Facing Financial Debacle due to Proprietary EHR Install

The scenario: A sophisticated medical center health system begins to roll out an expensive proprietary EHR and shortly thereafter sustains an operating loss, leaving no choice but to put the implementation on hold. The operating loss is attributed to “unintended financial consequences” directly related to buying a very expensive EHR system. This is exactly the situation at MaineHealth, who selected Epic. Read More »

ONC HIE Framework A Guide And 'Living Document'

Anthony Brino | Government Health IT | May 3, 2013

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT has published a governance framework for health information exchange aimed at helping HIEs and other health organizations “align their work with national priorities.” Read More »

NEXTGEN Cassava Project Sets Precedent For Open Access Data Sharing In Agricultural Research

Staff Writer | IPP Media | May 4, 2013

Six months after the launch of the $25.2M NEXTGEN Cassava project at Cornell University, scientists on the project have released Cassavabase, a database that promotes open access data sharing. Read More »

MOOCs Open Top Universities to the World

Sean Sinico | DW | January 3, 2013

An emerging form of online education, called massive open online courses, provides access to renowned universities to people around the world. But can it improve the education of students in developing countries? Read More »

Medicaid Expansion Didn't Yield Big Health Gains In Oregon, Study Says

Staff Writer | Government Health IT | May 2, 2013

Although expanding Medicaid coverage to some low-income Oregon residents substantially improved their mental health and reduced the financial strains on them, it didn’t significantly boost their physical health, according to a study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. Read More »

Many CIOs Support IT Reform Legislation

Joseph Marks | Nextgov | May 2, 2013

Many government chief information officers think a proposed congressional overhaul that would give them broader authority over how their agencies buy information technology is a “step in the right direction,” according to TechAmerica’s CIO Insights survey released Thursday. Read More »

Lincoln County Healthcare Seeks To Merge Hospitals, Retain $5 Million In Federal Funding

Beth Brogan | Bangor Daily News | April 22, 2013

Despite plans to close St. Andrews Hospital’s emergency room in October, Lincoln County Healthcare will seek to retain the hospital’s critical access status and $5 million in federal funding through a merger of St. Andrews and Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta. Read More »

Health Policy And Implementation Challenges To Achieving Big Data Outcomes

John Loonsk | Government Health IT | April 29, 2013

Big Data must be near the top of its hype cycle by now. As with other technologies, it may eventually deliver on a great deal of this hype, but the outcomes will probably arrive later than the current frenzy would suggest. Read More »

Ghana’s ISPs Are Dying Out Because The Mobile Web Is Booming

Leo Mirani | Quartz | May 2, 2013

Ghana boasts Africa’s highest penetration of mobile broadband, at 23% of the population in 2011, the latest year for which figures are available. That compares with just 7% in 2010. By contrast, fixed-broadband penetration stood at a negligible 0.3% in 2011, and that’s killing Ghana’s internet service providers (ISPs). Read More »