News Wire
Federal health IT headlines from 10 sources, updated every 4 hours.
Sources: DefenseScoop, FedScoop, GovExec, Nextgov/FCW, MeriTalk, Military Times, GAO, Health IT Buzz, VA.gov, TRICARE
Today
Trump’s CISA nominee to exit Coast Guard role, but still in running to lead cyber agency
Sean Plankey has been serving in a Coast Guard advisory role for some months and is still set to be the nominee to lead CISA.
Pentagon dispute bolsters Anthropic reputation but raises questions about AI readiness in military
Anthropic’s moral stand on U.S. military use of AI is exposing a growing awareness that maybe chatbots just aren’t capable enough for acts of war.
Yesterday
US identifies troops killed during actions against Iran
The soldiers, who were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, were killed during an attack by an unmanned aircraft in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait.
Trump says US Navy could escort ships through Strait of Hormuz
A high-ranking member in the Iranian Armed Forces said Monday that any vessel traveling through the narrow maritime passage would be destroyed.
Commercial data centers emerge as targets in modern warfare after drones hit 3 AWS facilities
This incident likely marks the first publicly confirmed instance of a hyperscale data center run by a U.S. company to be hit in combat. The post Commercial data centers emerge as targets in modern war
B-1B Lancers conduct deep strikes in Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury
The bombers targeted ballistic missile facilities and command-and-control infrastructure, U.S. Central Command announced Monday.
Potential US-built hacking tools obtained by foreign spies and cybercriminals, research says
iVerify has described the activity as the “first known mass iOS attack” campaign of its kind. Google said fragments of the exploit first appeared last February, with ties to an unnamed “customer of a
What troops need to know for this tax season
As the April 15 tax-filing deadline looms, troops and their families should be aware of some tax law changes this year that affect them.
Alleged ICE, DHS location data purchases under scrutiny by Democrats
The Tuesday letter to the agency’s inspector general, signed by 70-plus Democrats, comes nearly three years after an initial report identified misuse tied to warrantless purchases. The post Alleged I
National Guard member’s invention allows cyber warfare training on the go
Senior Master Sgt. Taylor Gow's innovation was accepted into the Air Force’s annual Spark Tank competition.
Data experts see new Labor Department portal as ‘an important first step’
The agency launched an open data portal with 42 datasets, data viz capabilities and a modern API. Public data and transparency advocates like what they’ve seen — and have notes for improvement. The po
DIU notches first launch of commercial hypersonic test platform
The Cassowary Vex mission marked the first deployment of a commercial-built hypersonic testbed developed under the Hypersonic High-Cadence Advanced Testing program. The post DIU notches first launch o
CISA CIO Robert Costello exits agency
His nearly five-year tenure had recently been marked by turmoil. The post CISA CIO Robert Costello exits agency appeared first on FedScoop.
Lawmakers revive push for veterans disability reform bill
The measure would allow medically retired military personnel to receive both their full retirement pay and VA disability compensation.
France sends aircraft carrier to Mediterranean as Middle East flares up
France is also working on a coalition to pool assets, including military, that will allow shipping traffic to resume through key chokepoints in the region.
Energy announces $352M in funding for frontier science
The agency will make funding available to research teams looking to solve the scientific challenges underpinning next-generation energy technologies.
Why the convergence of AI and cybersecurity must be a top priority for the administration
COMMENTARY | Here’s what a strategy could look like.
Army solicits industry for portable platform to deliver RF effects
Officials are interested in offerings that would allow the platform to integrate with small drones to extend its range and boost situational awareness. The post Army solicits industry for portable pla
Air Force revises physical fitness program, score charts to boost airmen health
The U.S. Air Force updated its physical fitness assessment and its accompanying score charts to encourage airmen to utilize better fitness habits.
CISA appoints new acting cyber chief after recent leadership shakeups
Chris Butera is now serving as acting executive assistant director for CISA’s cybersecurity division, after its former occupant, Nick Andersen, stepped into the top leadership role at the cyber agency
LGBTQ data is disappearing under Trump, reports find
Government agencies have gotten rid of gender identity and sexual orientation data elements from over 360 data collections over the last year.
Greece deploys warships, jets to Cyprus after drone strikes on UK air base Akrotiri
The U.K. also is considering sending one of its own air-defense warships to the region, The Times of London reported.
Older Americans Are Working Longer—How Do We Support Them?
People are working later in life for many reasons. And as a result, older workers represent a growing share of the U.S. workforce. But despite this growing representation, older workers may be struggl
The White House wants quicker AI adoption. Can agencies make it happen?
When speed becomes policy, execution becomes the advantage. The federal government must prepare its workforce. The post The White House wants quicker AI adoption. Can agencies make it happen? appeared
Vance insists Trump won’t ‘allow’ a long Iran war
Vance, a veteran of the Iraq War, insisted Monday that the war with Iran is different because Trump “has clearly defined what he wants to accomplish.”
Putin’s $2.5 trillion gambit
As Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, debates increasingly hinge on a central question: How costly has the war been for Russia itself?
This Week
Agencies begin to shed Anthropic contracts following Trump’s directive
Officials from the departments of Treasury, State and Health and Human Services confirmed they would be acting to comply with the White House mandate.
When veterans take the pen, war stories start to change
Hollywood has never lacked war stories. But it has often lacked veteran storytellers telling them.
After first combat appearance, LUCAS drones ‘remain ready’ for future Epic Fury strikes against Iran
The one-way attack drones "remain ready for employment,” a U.S. Central Command spokesperson told DefenseScoop. The post After first combat appearance, LUCAS drones ‘remain ready’ for future Epic Fury
How Cyber Command contributed to Operation Epic Fury against Iran
The digital combatant command was among the “first movers” in the operation against Iran, Joint Chiefs Chair Dan Caine said.
National labs work to optimize AI infrastructure amid Genesis Mission
The Energy Department’s Oak Ridge National Lab launched an institute to optimize data centers, and the Pacific Northwest National Lab issued an RFI to inform future buildouts. The post National labs
Six dead, 18 service members injured in Iran operation
The number of American personnel killed and injured in Operation Epic Fury rose on Monday.
Owen West takes helm of DIU, vows to ‘narrow’ investment priorities
In his first memo to DIU employees, West listed his top priorities for the unit going forward. The post Owen West takes helm of DIU, vows to ‘narrow’ investment priorities appeared first on DefenseSco
Trump projects war on Iran could last ‘four to five weeks’
The president estimated the attacks could last four to five weeks but said the U.S. was capable of extending the bombardment far longer.
Space Force squadron barred from alcohol amid US-Israeli strikes on Iran
All 5th Space Warning Squadron personnel are prohibited from consuming any alcohol beverages in the wake of Operation Epic Fury.
Pentagon seeks robot ships to haul supplies to combat zones
The U.S. military is looking for autonomous freighters that can transport supplies into dangerous waters, according to a DIU solicitation.
Trump awards Medal of Honor to 3 soldiers
President Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to three soldiers, recognizing a service member from World War II, Vietnam and Afghanistan.
Airman found dead in off-base South Carolina residence
Airman First Class McKenzie C. Cooper was stationed at Shaw Air Force Base as part of the force support squadron.
Intelligence firms watch for uptick in Iran cyber activity after US, Israel strikes
Analysts say organizations should remain vigilant, though early indications show Iran-linked hackers have overstated their success.
What rights do AI companies have in government contracts?
It depends on the acquisition pathway, the contract type and the contract terms.
Fake DOD memo about ‘compromised’ apps shows swift spread of deceptive messaging
The message, widely circulated as the U.S. bombed Iran, shows how quickly unverified information can reach troops.
Additional troops to deploy to Middle East as Gen. Caine says to expect ‘additional losses’
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke to reporters at an on-camera media briefing Monday.
Fake DOD memo about ‘compromised’ apps shows swift spread of deceptive messaging
The message, widely circulated as the U.S. bombed Iran, shows how quickly unverified information can reach troops.
Fourth US service member killed in action during Iran operations
One of five U.S. service members to be listed as “seriously wounded” during major combat operations against Iran has died.
3 F-15s shot down by Kuwait in friendly fire incident, pilots safe, US says
"Kuwait has acknowledged this incident," according to U.S. Central Command. All six crew members have been recovered and are in stable condition.
How agencies can secure OT without shutting it down
Regaining cyber control in sensitive environments requires a different approach, the president of Forescout Government Systems argues. The post How agencies can secure OT without shutting it down appe
European military installations are targeted in Iran retaliation
On Monday morning, news broke that an Iranian drone had struck the British Royal Air Force base in Akrotiri on the island of Cyprus.
Cybercom didn’t tell troops to disable location services or uninstall apps, military officials say, after viral message spread amid Iran operation
One official said the message was "false." The post Cybercom didn’t tell troops to disable location services or uninstall apps, military officials say, after viral message spread amid Iran operation a
Pentagon to cut ties with Columbia, Yale, Brown and others Hegseth accuses of ‘wokeness’
Without citing evidence, Hegseth said the universities have become “breeding grounds of toxic indoctrination” that undermine military values.
CIA tracked Iranian leaders for months ahead of attacks that began with 3 strikes in 60 seconds
The eventual barrage of U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran came so quickly that they were nearly simultaneous, an Israeli military official said Sunday.
Pentagon to publish open-source software stack for 5G, 6G network innovation
The Pentagon’s FutureG office plans to publish the first version of the Open Centralized Unit Distributed Unit (OCUDU) radio access network project to GitHub in April to foster innovation in current 5
Strikes on Iran will test US cyber strategy abroad, and defenses at home
The federal government’s cyber defense agency is short-staffed, and Tehran is known for its retaliatory cyberattacks.
Strikes on Iran will test US cyber strategy abroad, and defenses at home
The federal government’s cyber defense agency is short-staffed, and Tehran is known for its retaliatory cyberattacks.
Anthropic faces fallout across federal agencies from DOD clash
President Donald Trump said agencies are entering a six-month period to phase out the AI startup’s tech, and GSA is removing it from procurement opportunities. The post Anthropic faces fallout across
Troops downed Customs and Border Protection drone in Texas after agency didn’t coordinate flight with military task force
This is the second counter-UAS incident in less than a month that has revealed interagency turmoil over the employment of stateside anti-drone capabilities. The post Troops downed Customs and Border P
Bipartisan Senate bill to establish AI standards, testbeds gets renewed
The legislation would create a testbed program, prize competition, and build upon recommendations from an AI advisory body. The post Bipartisan Senate bill to establish AI standards, testbeds gets ren
Trump directs government to ‘immediately cease’ using Anthropic technology
Ban follows AI firm’s refusal to enable mass surveillance, autonomous weapons.
Pentagon’s counter-drone task force launches commercial solutions opening
CSOs are intended to cut bureaucratic red tape and help the government onboard new tech faster, including from nontraditional vendors. The post Pentagon’s counter-drone task force launches commercial
IRS broke the law more than 40K times by sharing addresses with ICE, judge says
The tax agency’s process for identity matching violated the Internal Revenue Code, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly wrote in a Thursday court filing. The post IRS broke the law more than 40K times by shar
Experts raise questions and concerns about Pentagon’s threat to blacklist Anthropic amid AI spat
Some warned that such a move would mark an extreme response from the DOD that could have a chilling effect on the broader frontier AI industry. The post Experts raise questions and concerns about Pent
Gottumukkala out, Andersen in as acting CISA director
The move follows a story about criticisms of CISA’s performance during the first year of the Trump administration, with Madhu Gottumukkala’s leadership a point of contention. The post Gottumukkala out
Tech bills of the week: Updated AI innovation; expanding cybersecurity for SNAP; and more
This week’s legislation addresses cybersecurity measures for EBT cards, pushes universal AI testing standards forward, and strengthens oversight of tech education programming for veterans.
These former government tech leaders are prepping day-one plans for a future administration
Mikey Dickerson, the first head of the U.S. Digital Service, is a senior advisor for the effort, called the Tech Viaduct.
Memo to JD Vance: Fighting the war on waste
COMMENTARY | The White House's proposed war on fraud, waste and abuse is neither new nor an assured outcome for any presidential administration, but history offers some lessons that can help get start
It would take the Pentagon months to replace Anthropic’s AI tools: sources
AI maker digs in with Thursday statement rejecting DOD pleas for unfettered use.
CISA acting director moved to new DHS role
Madhu Gottumukkala will be moved into a strategic implementation role in the Department of Homeland Security. Nick Andersen will take his place.
Wyden to block confirmation for NSA director, citing lack of experience
The senator, in part, took issue with Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd’s responses to questions regarding civil liberties and oversight against unlawful surveillance.
Bipartisan lawmakers worried about shaky progress on modernized government worker background check system
The IT system undergirding the overhauled background check program is nearly a decade behind schedule and billions over budget.
Air Force Research Lab seeks more national approach for innovation
Lab officials give a first glimpse at how they want to expand on a pilot program for turning dual-use technology into operational capability.
Washington promises UFO disclosure. History suggests otherwise.
Disclosure may not reveal alien visitors, but it will reveal something equally important: how science, measurement and skepticism slowly turn mystery into understanding.
White House ‘war on fraud’ to begin with freezing Medicaid payments to Minnesota
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the move “retribution.”
CISA CIO expected to leave agency after receiving transfer orders
Last month, the cyber agency’s acting director reportedly took steps to transfer Costello, but other political appointees blocked it.
The Big Shift in Mortgage Lending That Poses Risks to the Housing Market
Homebuyers are increasingly relying on “nonbank” mortgage companies to finance their properties. In fact, these nonbanks now make and service most mortgage loans. Unlike traditional banks, nonbanks do
Earlier
White House seeks clean extension on controversial spying law
Despite Donald Trump’s previous misgivings, his administration is signaling confidence in the statute with its current stance.
Protecting Children from Lead Exposure and Other Toxins in Toys and Children’s Products
Hundreds of millions of children’s products—including toys, cribs, and clothing—enter the United States each year. This large volume can make it difficult to ensure these products are safe, including
How is Social Security Death Data Helping to Prevent Federal Payment Errors?
The federal government makes all kinds of payments each day, everything from Social Security benefits to payments for weapon systems. But sometimes errors occur, including payments to dead people. A p
Can DOD’s Ambitious New Missile-Threat Tracking System Deliver?
Note: This blog post was updated on February 23 to clarify information on the contractor’s role and estimated cost increases. The future of U.S. missile-threat detection and tracking involves a new, l
The clearance system is mission infrastructure. Treat it like one
COMMENTARY | Clearance reform is not optional. Without sustained leadership and consistent execution, government modernization risks undermining the trusted workforce it depends on.
When Members of Congress Need Answers to Complex Questions—They Come to GAO
Congress faces tough policy decisions that can affect Americans’ lives, as well as national security, defense, and our economy. Before making these decisions, members of Congress may ask difficult que
Drone Deliveries Expected to Increase Substantially As Concerns About Safety Remain
Drones are increasingly being used to deliver packages and food orders. These commercial drones often fly beyond the line-of-sight of their operator—meaning the person piloting the drone can’t see it
Some Army civilians worked during the shutdown—and were told to say they didn’t
What started as confusion became a coverup, employees and emails say.
Advancing the Future of Behavioral Health Data Exchange
Patients with behavioral health conditions are often dually-burdened with chronic physical health conditions. Consequently, providers caring for these patients must coordinate their care to get the be
Overseeing Food and Drug Safety is Getting Harder at FDA
The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for overseeing the safety of nearly $4 trillion in food, cosmetics, medications, medical devices, and tobacco products sold in the United States. But ov
JAGs are becoming federal prosecutors in Minneapolis. Experts warn it’s new territory
Military lawyers have served as special assistant U.S. attorneys before, but never like this.
GAO’s FY 2025 Report Card—What We Did to Improve Federal Programs and Save Billions of Dollars
The U.S. Government Accountability Office is responsible for auditing federal programs and spending to ensure that taxpayer dollars are protected, and that programs operate effectively and efficiently
Picture This: Improved Access, Exchange, and Use of Diagnostic Images
As a radiologist, I rely on diagnostic images to guide decisions about patients’ health. Imaging […] The post Picture This: Improved Access, Exchange, and Use of Diagnostic Images appeared first on AS
Systemic Issues Plague Life-Saving Organ Transplant Program
Organ transplants offer a second chance at life for people who have life-threatening diseases or injuries to their vital organs. As many as 100,000 people in the United States are on the waitlist to r
I ‘did not expect to be told to build a battleship,’ Navy’s surface warfare director says
The Trump administration’s priorities are forcing the service to rethink its shipbuilding plans.
Digital Dividends Realized: Hospital Patient Engagement Capabilities
“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree long ago.” This quote from […] The post Digital Dividends Realized: Hospital Patient Engagement Capabilities appeared first on AST
Podcast: From Demo to Delivery: How Agencies Are Operationalizing AI
Nicole Burdette sits down with ICF’s Kyle Tuberson to discuss how agencies can go from lab to live, supported by a consistent delivery approach in ICF’s Fathom, which bakes in security, governance, an
US spy agencies contributed to operation that captured Maduro
The CIA helped locate the Venezuelan leader while others monitored electronic communications.
Pentagon preps to enforce ban on companies with ‘indirect’ ties to China
Defense firms will be notified of potential links to blacklisted Chinese-military companies a year before the contracting ban goes into effect, the assistant defense secretary for industrial policy sa
Pentagon will cough up summaries of 3 years of safety investigations, per NDAA
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., pushed for the disclosure amid rise in military aviation mishaps.
HHS Wants Your Ideas to Accelerate AI in Clinical Care
In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary’s office, […] The post HHS Wants Your Ideas to Accelerate AI in Clinical Care appeared first on ASTP Blog
Trump rebrands troop housing subsidy as ‘warrior dividend’ bonus checks
More than $2.9 billion in reconciliation funds was allocated to beef up troop housing allowances. Now, it’s being used for $1,776 checks.
The Tide and the Speedboats: TEFCA and CMS-Aligned Networks
In July our colleagues at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched an ambitious Health Technology Ecosystem pledge program. The groundswell of energy and enthusiasm for the program
Podcast: From shadow agents to accountability: Governing AI in the public sector with an identity security fabric
In this episode of MeriTalking, Nicole Burdette sits down with LaRel Rogers, staff product marketing manager for federal at Okta, to discuss the rise of agentic AI and its impact across government. To
There’s a divide within the Space Force. Congress is forcing the service to address it
The new service was supposed to meld the “tribes” of operators and acquisition specialists. It didn’t happen.
Pentagon would have to explain future JAG firings under NDAA provision
The compromise version of the defense policy bill reflects lawmakers’ concern about Hegseth’s February purge of three judge advocates general.
TEFCA Government Benefits Determination Implementation is Here!
We all know what it’s like to get forms completed with all the right information (and to get it done quickly!), and patients seeking determinations on their eligibility for Social Security Disability
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