Ascension hospitals experienced a significant ransomware attack affecting approximately 5.6 million individuals, with the breach dating back to February 29. The organization discovered the incident in May after detecting unusual network activity, leading to patient transfers to nearby facilities. Ascension has since engaged third-party experts to assess the damage and is notifying those impacted while offering complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services. The compromised data may include medical records, payment details, insurance information, and government IDs, although there is no evidence that Electronic Health Records were accessed. Cybersecurity expert Kaustubh Medhe classified the breach as a "category one" data breach.

Massive Ransomware Attack Affects 5.6 Million at Ascension Hospitals KWCH

A coalition led by Intermountain Health, including partners like Microsoft and Epic Systems, has been formed to tackle the difficulties facing rural healthcare systems, such as financial instability and an aging population. Launched in 2023, the coalition aims to collect data to understand specific challenges before proposing solutions. Key areas of focus include leveraging technology to streamline operations, enhance telemedicine accessibility, and support clinical decision-making, while also addressing the affordability of these technologies through new financial models with West Health and Gates Ventures.

Coalition Unites Tech Giants to Revitalize Rural Healthcare Systems Becker's Hospital Review

President Biden has issued an executive order to enhance the nation's cybersecurity framework in response to escalating cyberattacks on critical infrastructure and government systems. The order mandates federal agencies to improve their cybersecurity practices, including the use of multi-factor authentication and enhanced incident response protocols. It also establishes a Cyber Safety Review Board to assess major cyber incidents and recommend defensive improvements. Furthermore, the directive promotes information sharing between government and private sector organizations to bolster resilience against evolving cyber threats, particularly in vulnerable sectors such as energy, healthcare, and finance.

Biden's Executive Order Boosts National Cybersecurity Amid Rising Threats Apple News

The Justice Department has initiated a civil lawsuit against Walgreens Boots Alliance, accusing the pharmacy chain of knowingly filling millions of illegitimate prescriptions for controlled substances, in breach of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleges that Walgreens also sought reimbursement from federal health care programs under the False Claims Act (FCA), thereby contributing to the opioid crisis. From August 2012 onward, Walgreens reportedly filled dubious prescriptions, including excessive opioids and early refills, while pressuring pharmacists to proceed despite signs of illegality and providing insufficient information to help them flag problematic prescribing patterns.

Justice Department Sues Walgreens for Role in Opioid Crisis Justice Department

Ascension hospitals experienced a significant ransomware attack affecting approximately 5.6 million individuals, with the breach dating back to February 29. The organization discovered the incident in May after detecting unusual network activity, leading to patient transfers to nearby facilities. Ascension has since engaged third-party experts to assess the damage and is notifying those impacted while offering complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services. The compromised data may include medical records, payment details, insurance information, and government IDs, although there is no evidence that Electronic Health Records were accessed. Cybersecurity expert Kaustubh Medhe classified the breach as a "category one" data breach.

Massive Ransomware Attack Affects 5.6 Million at Ascension Hospitals KWCH

A coalition led by Intermountain Health, including partners like Microsoft and Epic Systems, has been formed to tackle the difficulties facing rural healthcare systems, such as financial instability and an aging population. Launched in 2023, the coalition aims to collect data to understand specific challenges before proposing solutions. Key areas of focus include leveraging technology to streamline operations, enhance telemedicine accessibility, and support clinical decision-making, while also addressing the affordability of these technologies through new financial models with West Health and Gates Ventures.

Coalition Unites Tech Giants to Revitalize Rural Healthcare Systems Becker's Hospital Review

President Biden has issued an executive order to enhance the nation's cybersecurity framework in response to escalating cyberattacks on critical infrastructure and government systems. The order mandates federal agencies to improve their cybersecurity practices, including the use of multi-factor authentication and enhanced incident response protocols. It also establishes a Cyber Safety Review Board to assess major cyber incidents and recommend defensive improvements. Furthermore, the directive promotes information sharing between government and private sector organizations to bolster resilience against evolving cyber threats, particularly in vulnerable sectors such as energy, healthcare, and finance.

Biden's Executive Order Boosts National Cybersecurity Amid Rising Threats Apple News

The Justice Department has initiated a civil lawsuit against Walgreens Boots Alliance, accusing the pharmacy chain of knowingly filling millions of illegitimate prescriptions for controlled substances, in breach of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleges that Walgreens also sought reimbursement from federal health care programs under the False Claims Act (FCA), thereby contributing to the opioid crisis. From August 2012 onward, Walgreens reportedly filled dubious prescriptions, including excessive opioids and early refills, while pressuring pharmacists to proceed despite signs of illegality and providing insufficient information to help them flag problematic prescribing patterns.

Justice Department Sues Walgreens for Role in Opioid Crisis Justice Department