Committee passes Healthcare Cybersecurity Act

On August 12, U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) applauded the passage of legislation to protect health care and the public health sectors’ cybersecurity through the U.S. Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee earlier this month.

Young and U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced the legislation in July. The bill would 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 other defense measures. The legislation would also create a special liaison within CISA to the HHS that would coordinate during cybersecurity incidents and collaborate to support the health care and public health sector entities.

“I am pleased that this bill to improve cybersecurity in health care received strong support at the committee level, and I urge the full Senate to pass this bipartisan bill soon,” Young said.

Hospitals and other health care facilities across the country, including ones in Indiana, have experienced a dramatic increase in cyberattacks.

The bill passed in committee by a vote of 10 to 1 and now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

“The health care industry is still reeling from recent cyberattacks, and rural and small health care entities in Nevada have been particularly affected,” Rosen said when the bill was introduced. “It’s imperative that we take measures to improve cybersecurity in the health care sector to prevent data breaches and protect Nevadans, which is why I’m introducing this bipartisan legislation. I’ll keep working to strengthen the cybersecurity of this critical sector and keep people safe from malicious actors.”

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