Health and Community Services

Veterans Access Federal Benefits, Save States Millions

January 21, 2013 - Leveraging data from a 20-year-old system has saved states millions of dollars, and helped veterans access benefits they didn't know they could receive.

How Flu-Related Web Apps Help Protect Citizen Health

January 18, 2013 - With more than 40 states experiencing widespread influenza infection, the Google Flu Trends and Flu Near You Web applications can help cities prepare.

HHS Rebrands Health Exchanges as 'Marketplaces'

January 18, 2013 - In an effort to raise public awareness about the Affordable Care Act, health insurance exchanges will now be called health insurance marketplaces.

Another Data Leak Plagues Utah

January 18, 2013 - Notification is under way for thousands of Medicaid patients whose privacy was jeopardized at the hands of a pharmacy claims processor.

San Francisco Posts Restaurant Health Inspection Data on Yelp

January 17, 2013 - The new partnership also calls for the standardization of health score data nationwide.

Space Satellite Connects Rural Health Clinics to Broadband

January 15, 2013 - To connect mobile health units in the hills of rural New England with broadband access, policymakers are looking up -- all the way to space.

Utah’s Health Insurance Exchange in Limbo

January 14, 2013 - With only eight months left before the online marketplaces are expected to open to the public, Utah hasn’t made up its mind about whether to host a state-run exchange.

Iowa Plans Rapid Deployment of New Eligibility System

January 14, 2013 - The Hawkeye State is ditching its 1970s-era human services eligibility system in favor of a more modern system that prepares them for ACA requirements.

Health Insurance Exchanges: Benefits, Challenges, Lessons

January 10, 2013 - During the Jan. 10 #GTonHIX TweetChat, experts discuss the benefits of and potential efficiencies in creating state-run health insurance exchanges.

HHS Integrates Federal Data for HIV/AIDS Services Locator Tool

January 4, 2013 - By entering a ZIP code in the web tool, a Google map is generated to show the locations of services like HIV testing sites, health centers and substance abuse clinics.

Will Rural Health-Care Providers Pay More for Broadband?

January 3, 2013 - A new FCC order restructures and expands the Commission’s Rural Health Care program but cuts the subsidy to help pay for high-speed Internet access.

Identity Management: A New Way to Fight Health Care Fraud, Waste and Abuse

December 26, 2012 - The right identity-proofing strategy must be anchored by robust master data management, rules-based solutions and comprehensive identity management.

Join the Government Technology HIX TweetChat on Jan. 10

December 21, 2012 - GT and industry experts discuss the role Health Insurance Exchanges will play in helping states enhance service delivery.

GovTech Innovators: Jon Rosenberg, Chief of California’s Healthcare Infections Map

December 19, 2012 - Rosenburg and his colleagues work to simplify surgical infection rate data in the state’s hospitals.

Virginia Passes on State-Run HIX

December 17, 2012 - Citing a lack of cooperation from the federal government, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell announced the commonwealth would default to a federally run health insurance exchange.

FCC Health Care Initiatives Gain Momentum

December 14, 2012 - A new health care director position and agency website support the FCC's increased focus on connectivity for the health care industry.

Infographic: Big Data and Your Health

December 14, 2012 - This visual gives an idea of how data flows through health-related entities and organizations -- and how big data, when used to its potential, could help improve outcomes and reduce costs.

Broadband Health Care Fund Launched by FCC

December 14, 2012 - The FCC announced a broadband fund that will take what was learned from past pilot programs and potentially cut health care broadband costs in half.

Washington State Joins HIX Club

December 11, 2012 - Washington is the sixth state to receive conditional approval for its plans to run a state health insurance exchange.

FDA, Industry Form Nonprofit for Medical Devices

December 4, 2012 - The recently announced Medical Device Innovation Consortium (MDIC) intends to speed development, assessment and review of new medical devices.