Oregon Senator addresses consequences of Change Healthcare cyberattack and challenges of accessing care in rural areas

During a conversation with AHA members, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon expressed frustration with the cyberattack on Change Healthcare. He believes this breach jeopardized patients and their personal data. Wyden noted that the health care sector is a prime target for criminals and foreign adversaries like China and Russia. With middlemen companies controlling core functions in the health care system, they can dictate contract terms to health providers. This could result in providers being locked into contracts with these large companies, leading to systemic cybersecurity risks.

Wyden emphasized the importance of supporting rural hospitals to ensure access to care in those communities. He also discussed the need to crack down on pharmacy benefit managers and their actions that are contributing to the rising cost of prescription drugs. This highlights the complexity of the challenges facing the health care system and the importance of addressing them to protect patients and improve access to care.