VA’s ethics framework is a proactive data management and privacy approach that sets standards for access, use, or sharing of Veteran data. The framework is VA’s standard for individuals, groups, or entities who access or use Veterans’ data and keeps VA at the forefront of organizational best practices in ethical data management. VA applies the framework to all data initiatives, including those tied to VA’s COVID-19 response, our modernization efforts, and our mobile application development. It also supports VA’s massive modernization of its legacy electronic health record system and guides this work as VA expands data access and uses to various new applications.
The framework establishes nine principles as VA’s standard for retrieving and using Veterans’ data. Adopted VA-wide in February 2020, the principles set uniform ethics standards that promote ethically strong practices for privacy and data management by VA staff and partners that directly align with VA’s mission and values, as well as the priorities and concerns of Veterans…
As VA continues to modernize its technology and systems to enhance users’ experience with the latest digital tools, we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting Veterans’ data using solid data management and privacy practices. On June 30, 2022, VA Secretary Denis McDonough approved the framework submission to the Office of the Federal Register for publication as an official VA document. The Congressional Research Service states federal rulemaking is an essential mechanism through which the federal government implements policy.
In July, The Federal Register codified the VA’s Principle-Based Ethics Framework for Access and Use of Veteran Data as a final rule. VA’s framework is one of the government’s and the tech industry’s strongest statements on ethical data practices, privacy, confidentiality, autonomy, and use of Veteran data. The Federal Registry Summary Docket #VA-2022-OTHER-0017 declares the ruling is for all parties who oversee accessing, sharing, or using Veteran data. It also applies to all individuals who retrieve, share, or use Veteran data in the context of all other specific clinical, technical, fiscal, regulatory, professional, and industry standards… Read the full article here.
