Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act
Congress directs HHS to build a rural hospital cybersecurity workforce plan and training materials
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- Congress would require the Health and Human Services Department to write a national plan to build up cybersecurity workers for rural hospitals within 1 year.
- The plan must include input from rural health providers across the country and could include partnerships with schools, health systems, nonprofits, and private companies.
- It would look at what makes cybersecurity hiring and training harder for rural hospitals and suggest practical ways to fix those problems.
- The bill also requires training materials rural hospitals can use to teach staff basic cybersecurity, plus a campaign to make sure hospitals know the materials exist.
- It does not add new funding, so the work would need to use existing budgets and staff unless Congress funds it later.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
Milestones
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 309.
The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
6 articles
AHA expresses support for bill improving cybersecurity workforce in rural hospitals
The American Hospital Association urges support for S. 2169, which directs HHS to create a rural-hospital cybersecurity workforce strategy and expand partnerships to train cyber professionals.
Senate HELP debates cybersecurity, data privacy policy in hearing as Medicaid cuts loom
Coverage of a Senate HELP hearing on health cybersecurity and privacy; includes mention of the Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act as a proposal requiring an HHS workforce strategy.
Sean Cairncross confirmed as national cyber director
Story on ONCD leadership notes the nominee’s expressed support for the Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act among other cyber bills.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(6)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.