Sen. Young & colleagues introduce bipartisan bill to improve cybersecurity in health care

Young

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Angus King (I-Maine) introduced the bipartisan Healthcare Cybersecurity Act to bolster the health care and public health sectors’ cybersecurity in light of recent, devastating cyberattacks.

Earlier this year, the health care sector faced a ransomware attack on the health payment platform Change Healthcare, highlighting the lack of preparation and training during the recovery process.

“In recent years, hospitals and other health care facilities in Indiana and across America have experienced a dramatic increase in cyberattacks,” Sen. Young said. “Our bipartisan bill will take critical steps to strengthen cybersecurity infrastructure and better protect patients’ personal data.”

More specifically, the Healthcare Cybersecurity Act will direct the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collaborate on improving cybersecurity and make resources available to non-federal entities relating to cyber threat indicators and appropriate defense measures. The legislation would also create a special liaison to HHS within CISA to coordinate during cybersecurity incidents and collaborate to support health care and public health sector entities.

Click here to read the full text of the legislation.