Legislation Aims to Safeguard Healthcare Systems from Cyberattacks

Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. and Angus King, I-Maine, introduced a bill designed to enhance cybersecurity for U.S. healthcare systems.

“Recent reporting has indicated an exponential increase in cybersecurity attacks against healthcare systems across the country, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,” Rubio’s office said a statement. “In 2023, approximately 133 million people had their health data, such as Medicare beneficiary data, social security numbers, and medical records breached.

“As the agency tasked with keeping Americans’ personal health information safe, HHS must be equipped to combat the latest hacking strategies.”

Rubio and King introduced the Strengthening Cybersecurity in Health Care Act, which would require HHS to perform consistent evaluations of its cybersecurity systems and report the findings to Congress.

“Since the pandemic, we have seen a rise in the number of cyberattacks against our healthcare systems,” Rubio said. “This legislation aims to reassure the American people by better safeguarding their sensitive information, ensuring peace of mind during these ever changing times.”

Bloomberg reported that hackers stole millions of dollars from HHS last year.

Between late March and mid-November, hackers accessed an HHS system that processes civilian grand payments, according to Bloomberg. The hackers withdrew about $7.5 million intended to be awarded to five accounts.

“As federal stewards of the taxpayer dollar, we take this issue with the utmost importance,” an HHS spokesperson told Bloomberg.