This bill focuses on developing a plan to enhance cybersecurity in rural hospitals by creating a skilled workforce. It is important because rural hospitals often lack the resources to protect against cyber threats.
Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a workforce development strategy to address the need for cybersecurity professionals in rural hospitals. Among other topics, the strategy must consider (1) partnerships between rural hospitals, hospitals that are not rural hospitals, educational institutions, and private nonprofit or for-profit entities; and (2) the development of a cybersecurity curriculum for use in rural educational institutions. HHS must annually brief Congress on the strategy and any programs or initiatives established thereunder. Additionally, HHS must disseminate free materials that rural hospitals may use to train staff about cybersecurity.
