Pages from the United Healthcare website are displayed on a computer screen, Feb. 29, 2024, in New York. UnitedHealth Group said it is testing software for submitting medical claims as it recovers from a cyberattack that disrupted billing systems across the country.
. These attacks are having a growing impact on patients. Late last year, Ardent Health, which operates hospitals in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico,a 2021 ransomware attackreported that ransomware attacks increased patient mortality rates. It is clear that ransomware is a health care problem, and we should treat it like one.that have caused a detrimental impact on the health of the public. Like these natural disasters, the ransomware epidemic targeting the U.S.
. Along with funding, by declaring a public health emergency, HHS is also authorized to provide access to supplies, equipment and, most importantly, experts to help address ransomware.Anthony J. Hendricks is an attorney who advises clients on cybersecurity issues as the chair of Crowe & Dunlevy’s Cybersecurity and Data Privacy practice group. He also hosts the cybersecurity and data privacy podcast “Nothing About You Says Computer Technology.