HHS Deputy Secretary Addresses Healthcare Cybersecurity and Efforts to Expand Access to Care during Annual Meeting

During the AHA Annual Membership Meeting, Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) addressed attendees about the Administration’s efforts to improve access to care and increase the number of people with health insurance. She also discussed the recent Change Healthcare cyberattack and the future of cybersecurity.

Palm emphasized that the cyberattack was a learning experience, highlighting that such attacks are inevitable. In January, HHS released cybersecurity performance goals for the healthcare sector, and Palm outlined plans to help hospitals and health systems implement best practices to protect patient information and hospital networks. She stressed the importance of supporting rural hospitals that may lack the resources to achieve these goals on their own.

Although the worst of the cyberattack on Change Healthcare has passed, Palm assured attendees that HHS would continue to assist hospitals and health systems in their recovery. She emphasized the need to remain vigilant and prepared for future attacks, viewing them 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 the ongoing work ahead and encouraged cooperation to strengthen cybersecurity in the healthcare sector.