AHA comments on Senate report on health care cybersecurity policy options  

AHA yesterday sent a letter to Sen. Mark Warner, co-chair of the Senate Cybersecurity Caucus, responding to his recent report on policy options to address cybersecurity challenges in the health care field, from strengthening federal coordination to helping health care providers prepare for and respond to cyber threats.

Among other actions, AHA said it supports the Healthcare Cybersecurity Act (S.3904/H.R.8806), legislation that would improve collaboration and coordination between the Department of Health and Human Services and Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency and support educational opportunities for providers; and the Protecting and Transforming Cyber Health Care Act (S.3983/H.R.7084) to improve the security of medical devices. 

“Hospitals and health systems have prioritized protecting patients and defending their networks from cyberattacks,” the letter notes. “However, they need support from the federal government as the field continues to face targets from sophisticated cyber adversaries and nation-states. We look forward to working with Congress to provide appropriate support for hospitals and health systems and ensure close cooperation between the federal government and the health care field.”