Healthcare is the most frequent target for ransomware attacks: In 2023, the FBI says, 249 of them targeted health institutions — the most of any sector. Stakeholders are worried that the federal government's response is underpowered, underfunded, and overly focused on protecting hospitals — even as the Change Healthcare hack earlier this year proved that weaknesses are widespread. HHS's "current approach to healthcare cybersecurity — self-regulation and voluntary best practices — is woefully inadequate and has left the healthcare system vulnerable to criminals and foreign government hackers," Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), chair of the Senate Finance Committee, wrote in a recent letter to the agency.
