Mobile Courant

Washington – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) have called on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide more information regarding the recent cyberattack on Change Healthcare. The attack has caused significant disruptions in the healthcare sector, affecting patients and providers not only in Alabama but across the United States.

In a joint statement, the Senators expressed their concerns about the inadequacy of HHS' response to the cyberattack, stating that the agency has not been forthcoming with information to Congress amidst a surge in cybersecurity incidents within the healthcare industry.

The Senators highlighted the delayed response from HHS, noting that Change Healthcare reported the cyberattack on February 21, while HHS issued its first formal statement regarding the incident nearly two weeks later on March 5. This delay has had severe consequences, with up to 25% of healthcare practices potentially facing financial ruin as a result of the attack.

Change Healthcare, a provider of services to healthcare entities nationwide, suffered a network outage due to hackers compromising its systems. This outage has had far-reaching implications, impacting providers and patients across the country, including in Alabama. The disruption in services has put a strain on healthcare facilities in Alabama, making it challenging for them to continue operations and provide essential care to residents.

The Senators have urged HHS to provide clarity on its handling of the cyberattack and its efforts to support affected stakeholders, particularly in ensuring that patients do not face further delays in receiving necessary care. The lack of timely updates from HHS has raised questions about the agency's preparedness for future cybersecurity incidents, prompting the call for increased transparency and communication.

Senator Tommy Tuberville, representing Alabama in the United States Senate, emphasized the crucial role of HHS in coordinating cybersecurity activities for the healthcare sector and stressed the need for prompt and effective responses to such incidents.

The Senators have requested detailed information from HHS regarding the Change Healthcare cyberattack, seeking answers to specific questions by April 3, 2024, to shed light on the agency's actions in the wake of this disruptive event.