Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, along with a bipartisan coalition of 22 attorneys general, has urged UnitedHealth Group to take more meaningful action in assisting providers and patients affected by the recent cyberattack on Change Healthcare. Nessel emphasized the importance of protecting patients and providers in the wake of cyberattacks in the healthcare sector, stating, "It is the duty of organizations that hold our most personal and sensitive data to vigorously defend against cyberattacks."

The cyberattack on Change Healthcare by ALPHV/Blackcat on February 21, 2024, resulted in significant disruptions to care infrastructure, affecting providers, pharmacies, and facilities. Patients have experienced delays in accessing prescription drugs and scheduling appointments or procedures. Nessel highlighted the profound impact of the outage on patient care and the financial stability of some providers.

The coalition's letter to UnitedHealth Group calls for several actions to mitigate the harm caused by the cyberattack, including enhancing financial assistance to affected providers, ensuring fair assistance programs, protecting business information, and expediting claims processing. The attorneys general also urge UnitedHealth Group to inform stakeholders about the compromised data and steps to mitigate future risks.

UnitedHealth Group, despite facing the cyberattack in its first quarter, reported significant profits in 2023. Meanwhile, hospitals and clinics reliant on systems like Change Healthcare are struggling financially in the aftermath of the cyberattack, with small independent providers and pharmacies particularly impacted.

Joining AG Nessel in the call to UnitedHealth Group are Attorney General Keith Ellison of Minnesota and a bipartisan group of attorneys general from various states. The coalition's letter seeks to address the immediate needs of providers and patients affected by the cyberattack on Change Healthcare.

The full text of the letter to UnitedHealth Group can be accessed for further details on the coalition's recommendations and requests for action.