Priya PatelTLDR:
- Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie discussed recent cyberattack on Change Healthcare
- Increased ransomware attacks in healthcare sector have caused significant disruptions
House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie opened a hearing on Health Sector Cybersecurity following the ransomware attack on Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth, that caused major disruptions in the healthcare industry. The attack led to patients facing difficulties in accessing medications and providers facing delays in payments. This incident highlighted the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity measures in the healthcare sector.
Guthrie emphasized the rise in ransomware attacks in recent years, citing alarming statistics on the increase in large data breaches and the significant financial impact of these attacks. He expressed concern over the federal government’s lagging response to cyber threats targeting the healthcare system and called for proactive measures to prevent future attacks.
While acknowledging the efforts of the Biden administration in strengthening cybersecurity readiness, Guthrie stressed the importance of balancing incentives and penalties to ensure accountability in the healthcare sector. He called for collaborative efforts between the government and industry stakeholders to enhance cybersecurity measures and safeguard patient safety and privacy.
