Westbank Louisiana News

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), the ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, has raised concerns over the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) failure to notify Congress about a recent cyberattack that resulted in the theft of $7.5 million in taxpayer funds. The breach, which targeted HHS' grant awarding system, has raised questions about the agency's cybersecurity readiness and its ability to protect sensitive data and taxpayer dollars.

Senator Cassidy expressed his dismay over HHS's lack of transparency in handling the cyberattack, stating, "HHS’ lack of transparency and communication regarding this breach, including communication to Congress as required by law, undermines the public trust and suggests that the Federal government is not prepared to protect patients against cybersecurity attacks." He emphasized the importance of HHS taking decisive action to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure the security of patient data and taxpayer funds.

Cassidy has demanded answers from HHS regarding the breach, including details on how the hackers were able to access the grant awards, why the agency failed to disclose the breach publicly, and what steps HHS is taking to address vulnerabilities in its systems. The Senator also highlighted the potential impact of such breaches on at-risk populations who rely on HHS programs for essential healthcare services.

In a letter to Secretary Becerra, Cassidy outlined a series of questions aimed at shedding light on the timeline of the cyberattack, the extent of the funds stolen, and the measures taken by HHS to recover the stolen funds and improve cybersecurity protocols. The Senator also questioned HHS's delay in notifying Congress about the breach, as required by the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA).

The incident involving the theft of $7.5 million in grant awards has sparked concerns about HHS's ability to protect critical healthcare infrastructure and patient data from cyber threats. Senator Cassidy's efforts to hold HHS accountable for its handling of the cyberattack underscore the importance of transparency and proactive measures in safeguarding sensitive information and taxpayer funds.

For more updates from HELP Republicans, interested individuals can visit their website or follow them on Twitter at @GOPHELP.