Change Healthcare Ransomware Attack Prompts US Government to Act on Health Care Cybersecurity

After a ransomware attack on Change Healthcare, the US government has taken action to address the technology underpinning health care. The attack led to a halt in payments to pharmacies and hospitals, causing significant disruptions to the industry.

In response to the incident, policymakers and lobbyists have been working together to develop strategies that prevent future attacks. These strategies include tying federal aid to cybersecurity requirements and creating new voluntary standards through public-private partnerships.

The incident highlighted how vulnerabilities in just one company can disrupt critical technology infrastructure that many health care providers and insurers rely on daily. The lack of preparation by federal regulators was criticized, and some lawmakers are calling for mandatory cybersecurity standards in the health care industry. Regular audits could be included as part of these standards.

To prevent future attacks, policymakers are exploring various options such as requiring federal aid for cybersecurity measures, creating new voluntary standards through public-private partnerships, and implementing mandatory cybersecurity standards in the health care industry. It is crucial that the government takes action now to ensure that the technology underpinning health care is secure from potential threats.

The incident with Change Healthcare demonstrated how vulnerable technology infrastructure can cause significant disruptions in the healthcare industry. As such, it is imperative that policymakers take action to address this issue before it occurs again. By implementing measures such as mandatory cybersecurity standards and regular audits, we can help protect critical technology infrastructure in the healthcare industry from potential threats.