Protecting Health Care Technology: Lessons Learned from the Change Healthcare Cyberattack and Washington’s Response

In the wake of a cyberattack on Change Healthcare, which halted payments to pharmacies and hospitals, Washington is taking action to address the technology underpinning health care. The attack highlighted the vulnerabilities in just one company’s technology that many health care providers and insurers rely on daily.

Policymakers and lobbyists have been working to develop strategies to prevent future attacks. These strategies include tying federal aid to cybersecurity requirements and creating new voluntary standards through public-private partnerships. However, some lawmakers are calling for mandatory cybersecurity standards in the health care industry, including regular audits.

Federal regulators have faced criticism for not being adequately prepared and not acting quickly enough in response to the incident. The attack on Change Healthcare demonstrated how crucial it is for policymakers to be proactive in addressing cybersecurity threats in the health care industry.

In conclusion, Washington is taking steps to address the technology underpinning health care following a cyberattack on a health care payments processing company. The incident highlighted the vulnerabilities in just one company’s technology that many providers and insurers rely on daily. Policymakers and lobbyists are working to develop strategies to prevent future attacks, but some lawmakers are calling for mandatory cybersecurity standards in the industry.