HHS Deputy Secretary Addresses Healthcare Access, Cybersecurity and Vigilance at AHA Meeting

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

Palm emphasized that the recent cyberattack served as a learning experience, stressing that such attacks are a matter of when, not if. 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 highlighted the importance of supporting rural hospitals that may lack the resources to achieve these goals independently.

Although the worst of the cyberattack on Change Healthcare may have passed, Palm reassured attendees that HHS would continue to support hospitals and health systems in their recovery process. She urged attendees to remain vigilant and prepared for future attacks, viewing this incident as an opportunity to learn and improve cybersecurity measures.

Palm concluded by expressing her commitment to working with attendees to enhance the health and well-being of individuals across the country. She recognized that there is ongoing work ahead but encouraged cooperation to strengthen cybersecurity in the healthcare sector.

In summary, Deputy Secretary Palm addressed various topics during her speech at AHA Annual Membership Meeting. She discussed HHS’ efforts towards enhancing access to care, increasing health insurance coverage, addressing recent cyberattacks on Change Healthcare, promoting best practices for protecting patient information and hospital networks, supporting rural hospitals, encouraging vigilance towards future attacks, strengthening cybersecurity measures in healthcare sector among others.