Federal Drive with Tom Temin Federal News Network | Hubbard Radio

George Mason University will be the site of the recently approved Landolt NASA Space Mission. The mission will kick off in 2029 by launching a light into the sky that will help scientists determine the brightness of stars, so they can more accurately study how fast the universe is growing. Federal News Network's Eric White talked with the man leading the mission, GMU associate professor Peter Plavchan.
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Instead of asking Annie if she is okay, what if Annie asked you? That is the case now for veterans receiving treatment from the VA. The mobile and interactive service known as “Annie,” is being deployed nationwide to help vets keep up with their healthcare protocols via text message. The service, created by Accenture, has gotten a lot of positive feedback. To learn more, Federal News Network's Eric White talked with Dr. Ron Moody, Chief Medical Officer for Accenture. 
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There has been a ton of new developments regarding AI this year. It certainly has the potential to change many aspects of American industry and technology. Some members of Congress want to make sure the government is able to keep tabs on those developments and react accordingly. For more, Federal News Network's Eric White talked with Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.).
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On today's episode of the Federal Drive with Tom Temin:

Should there be a federal body monitoring AI like there is for cybersecurity? One member of Congress thinks so.

Veterans Affairs is hoping a non human entity can help keep tabs on its patients.

You may see one more star up in the night sky soon, only this one will be man-made.


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For federal employees, a bill pending in the Senate would bring expanded coverage of fertility treatments through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program.
But the Right to IVF Act, which Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced last week, did not garner the 60 votes needed to move forward with a floor vote Thursday afternoon. Almost all Republicans voted against the measure to advance the legislation, resulting in a 48-47 tally.
The legislation rolls together three previous bills all aiming to improve access and insurance coverage for in-vitro fertilization (IVF). In part, the bill would have impacts specifically on FEHB enrollees. One component of the Right to IVF Act aims to set higher requirements for FEHB carriers to offer IVF coverage.
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If there's a universal constant among federal agencies, it's forms. Forms often get complicated and that can impede people's applications for benefits. Federal Drive Host Tom Temin's guest has been on a sort of crusade to improve and simplify forms. Kyle Gardiner is a senior policy analyst at the Office of Management and Budget and now a finalist in this year's Service to America Medals program.
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