During the congressional hearings held on Wednesday, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle used the opportunity to express their concerns about Change Healthcare’s cyberattack. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) and Rep. Buddy Carter, a pharmacist and Republican from Georgia, both spoke out against UnitedHealth Group, Change’s parent company.
At the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearings, Rep. Carter brought out a posterboard depicting UnitedHealth and its subsidiaries to highlight the company’s dominant presence in the country’s health care sector. He also warned UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty that he would continue to work towards breaking up the company. In contrast, Sen. Warren declared that it was time to break up UnitedHealth altogether, using her platform to criticize the consolidation of power in the health care industry and its impact on patients and consumers.
Both senators and representatives used these hearings as an opportunity to call for stricter regulations on companies like Change Healthcare to protect sensitive patient data from cyberattacks like those seen in 2017. They are now under pressure to take action to prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure that Americans can rely on secure health care information.
The hearings shed light on several issues related to the health care industry, including cybersecurity vulnerabilities and consolidation of power within large corporations like UnitedHealth Group. As more lawmakers voice their concerns about these issues, it is likely that we will see new legislation emerge aimed at protecting patient privacy and promoting competition within the health care sector.
Overall, these congressional hearings have highlighted some important issues related to healthcare security that need addressing by policymakers. It is crucial that they work together to find solutions that prioritize patient safety while also promoting innovation within this critical sector of our economy.