Staff Reports
The American Hospital Association (AHA) is crying out for help from Congress after a disastrous cyberattack caused chaos for our beloved health care system. On February 21st, the hackers struck Change Healthcare, unleashing what AHA dubbed as the biggest cyberattack in American health care history. This is a grave situation that calls for immediate action!
The ransomware group ALPHV, also ominously known as Blackcat, is believed to be the sinister masterminds behind this heinous attack. The details remain murky, with whispers of a ransom demand floating in the air. The fact that Change Healthcare hasn’t confirmed if they caved to the hackers’ demands is downright alarming. Cyber criminals holding our health care system hostage?! This is an outrage that must not be tolerated!
Hospital Organization Calls For Congressional Action Amid 'Fallout' After Healthcare System Cyberattackhttps://t.co/adeRsWWydk
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 5, 2024
The consequences of this cyber siege are dire. AHA outlined the crippling effects on Change Healthcare, leading to delays in patient care and disrupting the financial flow to health care providers. It’s a nightmare scenario where hospitals, health systems, and physicians are left vulnerable and struggling to keep their doors open. Our health is at stake here, folks!
AHA’s pleas for help have fallen on deaf ears so far. Despite reaching out to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, they’ve received no response. This is bureaucratic negligence at its finest! The urgency of the situation demands swift action and accountability from our government officials. We can’t afford to have our health care system held hostage by cyber criminals any longer!
It’s time for Congress to step up and protect our health care providers. AHA’s call for prioritized Medicare advanced payments, guidance on cyberattack preparedness, and decisive action from Secretary Becerra must be heeded. The backbone of our society, our health care system, cannot be left vulnerable to such despicable cyber threats. Let’s band together to ensure the safety and security of our health care!
