House GOP Urges FBI to Combat Ransomware Threats to Healthcare

House Republicans, led by Rep. Troy Nehls, have urged FBI Director Kash Patel to intensify efforts against ransomware gangs targeting healthcare systems. The lawmakers highlighted that ransomware attacks have escalated, with over 700 breaches reported in 2023 alone, affecting more than 500 million patient records since 2009. They emphasized the critical nature of these attacks, which can disrupt medical services, delay surgeries, and jeopardize patient safety. The FBI reported a significant rise in ransomware complaints, from fewer than 200 in 2015 to over 2,800 in 2023. The letter calls for enhanced collaboration between the FBI and healthcare stakeholders to improve information sharing and mitigate risks. This growing threat is framed as a national security concern due to its potential impact on critical infrastructure.

Key Points: • House Republicans demand increased FBI action against ransomware targeting healthcare. • Over 700 healthcare data breaches were reported in 2023, the highest on record. • Ransomware complaints to the FBI surged from under 200 in 2015 to over 2,800 in 2023.