HHS wants contractor to test privacy of 'anonymous' data

One of the important issues in the health IT discussion is whether patient medical data can be kept private and anonymous, and now the HHS is looking for a contractor to research that question.

CMS awards health IT planning grants to states

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services handed out $17 million in matching funds to seven states and one territory for preparations for handling health IT payments from the economic stimulus law.

FDA readies new data systems for drug safety

The Food and Drug Administration will expand its tracking of drug safety once the drugs enter the marketplace, according to a new report.

IT turkeys: 7 government projects worthy of a roast

Over the years, the American public has been gifted with its share of computer-based turkeys -- information technology projects gone wrong, often at spectacular expense.

NIH preparing small business GWAC for IT services

The National Institutes of Health has released a draft RFP for a small business set-aside acquisition vehicle that will cover a broad array of IT services.

Emtec Federal will provide IT products to CDC offices worldwide

Emtec Federal has won two blanket purchase orders to supply information technology products and services to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each of the five-year awards is worth an estimated $10 million a year to the systems integrator.

ICF to help automate state child welfare systems

ICF Inc. will provide technical assistance for state and federal child welfare automation projects under a new contract with the Health and Human Services Department.

HHS names Nitor Group for NHIN bridge contract

HHS has hired Nitor Group on a bridge contract to help prepare for a series of competitive task orders for the Nationwide Health Information Network by year's end.

HHS to award health-data network contracts by year's end

HHS is planning to award a series of competitive contracts for the Nationwide Health Information Network later this year.

Northrop to develop Web informatics center for virus research

Northrop Grumman will set up a Web-based bioinformatics center on viruses and infectious diseases for the National Institues of Health.

GE Healthcare to provide swine flu updates to CDC

GE Healthcare said it will provide swine flu and seasonal flu updates to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under a sole source contract.

PSI attends to overseas military health care system

Planned Systems International Inc. will render information technology services to the Defense Department under a three-year task order with a total value of $8.3 million.

Xerox-ACS deal brings new opportunities

When the acquisition of Affiliated Computer Services closes, the combination will bring new opportunities and markets to both companies.

Agencies to spend $15B on health IT by 2014

Federal, state and local governments are projected to spend $15 billion in 2014 for the IT systems that support their public health and health insurance programs.

VA and industry join to develop health record strategy

The VA's CIO has asked an industry group to advise the department on whether to deploy the VistA digital health record system more broadly to private hospitals and providers.

Top government IT projects honored

Government Computer News names its top projects and executives for its annual GCN Gala.

Agilex adds Chapman as VP to boost health care sector

Agilex Technologies Inc. is seeking to strengthen its health care sector with the appointment of Melissa Chapman to the newly created position of vice president for health solutions.

K4 will help HHS consolidate applications database

K4 Solutions Inc. will assist the Health and Human Services Department in processing scholarship and other applications under a five-year contract worth $9 million.

CDC awards $103 million information network contract

Danya International Inc. will continue operating the CDC's National Prevention Information Network under a new contract worth up to $103 million.

IT services sector sheds investment fear

Prospects in the public markets have improved significantly in recent months, with mid-cap defense and government services companies leading the way.