The Senate passed the bipartisan Health Care Cybersecurity and Resilience Act by unanimous consent.
The legislation aims to help healthcare providers strengthen their cybersecurity defenses and protect patient information, according to an Oct. 1 news release from the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
Sens. Bill Cassidy, MD, R-La., Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Mark Warner, D-Va., released statements on the Senate’s passage. Sens. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and Angus King, I-Maine, also co-sponsored the bill.
Mr. Cornyn said the legislation would strengthen coordination among federal agencies and improve security practices for rural providers. Ms. Hassan said it would help hospitals and other providers, particularly rural organizations with fewer resources, strengthen cybersecurity and respond faster to attacks.
“Cyberattacks can shut down hospitals and expose patients’ private medical records,” said Dr. Cassidy, the committee’s chairman.
Mr. Warner urged the House to act quickly on the legislation.
