Congress
See the following -
DoD Takes New EHR Direction, But It Still Isn’t The Right One
At a brief press conference on Wednesday, journalists watched in slightly bemused fascination as Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisitions, Technology, and Logistics Frank Kendall attempted to explain the Department of Defense’s new direction in its ongoing efforts to modernize its electronic health record system while improving interoperability with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). [...] Read More »
- Login to post comments
DoD, VA Failing To Treat Military Sexual Trauma, Veterans Testify
The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments are failing to provide adequate mental health services to troops and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder caused by sexual assault — a deficiency that contributes to lifelong struggles [...]. Read More »
- Login to post comments
DoD, VA Pick A Vendor For Integrated EHR Project
The Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are once again trying to get their integrated EHR (iEHR) project off the ground. Last week, the departments announced that Systems Made Simple, Inc. (SMS) has been a re-compete contract to tackle the convoluted quest to increase interoperability between the two vast legacy systems. Read More »
- Login to post comments
DOD, VA Pressed On Creating Electronic Medical Records
Lawmakers on Wednesday lamented stagnation in creating lifelong electronic medical records for troops and veterans, decrying a lack of leadership on the issue from the Defense Department, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the White House. Read More »
- Login to post comments
DoD, VA Reassure Congress Of Continued Growth Of Health Data Sharing
Defense and Veterans Affairs department officials are reassuring House lawmakers that just because they are developing separate electronic health systems, it doesn't mean the two departments aren't sharing electronic health records today and will share even more in the future. Read More »
- Login to post comments
DoD, VA Reiterate Commitment To iEHR -- Again
After a morning of Congressional tongue-lashings Wednesday during a House hearing on iEHR, the Veterans Affairs and Defense Departments publicly issued a statement reasserting that they are jointly committed to working toward an iEHR endpoint similar to the project’s original goal. Read More »
- Login to post comments
DOJ Helped AT&T, Others Avoid Wiretap Act, Promised Not To Charge Them If They Helped Spy On People
Want to know one reason why the feds are so interested in giving blanket immunity to anyone who helps them spy on people? Perhaps because they're already telling companies that they have immunity if they help them spy on people. Specifically, they've issued special letters of immunity, more or less helping companies like AT&T ignore the Wiretap Act. Read More »
- Login to post comments
EHR Data 'Blocking' Hobbles HIT, Says ONC
Technology vendors, hospitals, and health systems restrict data access under the guise of security and confidentiality, but it can be challenging to identify and differentiate information-blocking from more benign impediments, says an ONC report.
- Login to post comments
Ethics And Risk In Open Development
Ethics around ‘opt in’ and ‘opt out’ when working with people in communities with fewer resources, lower connectivity, and/or less of an understanding about privacy and data are tricky. Yet project implementers have a responsibility to work to the best of their ability to ensure that participants understand what will happen with their data in general, and what might happen if it is shared openly...
- Login to post comments
Everyone Wants To Stir The Meaningful Use Pot
When I cook a recipe for the first time, I usually don't modify it. But the next time around, I tend to tinker with it so it's better, more to my liking. Add a little garlic, reduce the salt. It's a learning process. I must be in good company, since it seems that everyone these days wants to tinker with the Meaningful Use program.
- Login to post comments
Exclusive: Pentagon Withholds Internal Report About Flawed $2.7 Billion Intel Program
The Army has spent years defending a multibillion-dollar intelligence system that critics say costs too much and does too little. A new internal report has found that there's a simple, relatively inexpensive program that could handle many of the same jobs at a fraction of the cost.
- Login to post comments
FACT SHEET - Executive Actions: Answering The President’s Call To Strengthen Our Patent System And Foster Innovation
FACT SHEET - Executive Actions: Answering the President’s Call to Strengthen Our Patent System and Foster Innovation Read More »
- Login to post comments
Fate Of Veterans' Clinics In Limbo As Budget Cutting Looms
A veterans' health clinic in Brick, N.J., is in such disrepair that when the snow gets heavy, patients have to go elsewhere for fear the roof might collapse. Another in San Antonio has extensive mildew and mold problems that could prove a health hazard for employees and patients in the coming years. Read More »
- Login to post comments
Federal Cuts Threaten Healthcare System For Alaska Natives
The 10-year federal “sequestration” plan of steady cuts could devastate the healthcare system that Alaska Natives rely on, speakers at a conference of tribal leaders said Wednesday. Read More »
- Login to post comments
Federal Spending Bill Expands Research Funding With Open Access Mandate, Restores IMLS Funding
The omnibus spending bill signed into law by President Obama on January 17 has plenty of wrinkles and details, but one of them is a change that expands the number of federal agencies operating under a mandate to make research they fund available to the public after one year. Read More »
- Login to post comments