Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) addressed attendees at the AHA Annual Membership Meeting regarding the Administration’s efforts to improve access to care and increase the number of individuals with health insurance. She also discussed the recent Change Healthcare cyberattack and the future of cybersecurity in healthcare.
Palm emphasized that cybersecurity attacks are a matter of when, not if, and highlighted that HHS released cybersecurity performance goals for the healthcare sector in January. She outlined plans to help hospitals and health systems implement best practices to protect patient information and hospital networks. She particularly focused on supporting rural hospitals that may lack resources to achieve these goals independently.
Although the worst of the cyberattack on Change Healthcare has passed, Palm assured attendees that HHS would continue to aid hospitals and health systems in their recovery. She emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant and prepared for future attacks, viewing it as an opportunity to learn and improve cybersecurity measures.
Palm concluded by expressing her commitment to collaborating with attendees to enhance the health and well-being of individuals across the country. She acknowledged that ongoing work is needed to strengthen cybersecurity in healthcare, encouraging cooperation among all stakeholders involved.
