Ransomware Attack Halts Healthcare Payments: Washington Takes Action to Strengthen Cybersecurity Standards in the Industry

Policymakers and lobbyists are working to develop strategies to prevent future cyberattacks on the technology that supports healthcare, following a ransomware attack on Change Healthcare that halted payments to pharmacies and hospitals. The incident showed how vulnerabilities in just one company can disrupt critical technology infrastructure that many healthcare providers and insurers rely on every day. In response, federal regulators faced criticism for not being adequately prepared and reacting quickly enough. Some lawmakers are calling for mandatory cybersecurity standards in the healthcare industry, including regular audits.

Washington is taking action to address the technology that supports healthcare after a cyberattack on a healthcare payment processing company. This attack could have significant effects on hospitals and IT vendors that provide essential services to the industry. The incident highlighted the need for better cybersecurity measures in the healthcare industry, as well as the potential consequences of a successful attack.

The attack on Change Healthcare showed how vulnerable the healthcare payment processing system is to cyber threats. It also demonstrated the importance of having robust cybersecurity measures in place to protect against such attacks. As a result, policymakers and lobbyists are working together to develop new voluntary standards through public-private partnerships, with the goal of preventing future attacks from occurring.

Federal regulators faced criticism for their response to the incident, with some lawmakers calling for mandatory cybersecurity standards in the healthcare industry. These standards would include regular audits and other measures designed to ensure that all companies operating within the industry are adequately protecting their systems from cyber threats. By implementing these measures, policymakers hope to prevent future attacks from disrupting critical technology infrastructure and causing harm to patients and providers alike.