During the congressional hearings about the Change Healthcare cyberattack, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle took aim at UnitedHealth Group, using the platform to express their grievances against the company. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) called for the breakup of UnitedHealth, while Rep. Buddy Carter, a pharmacist and Republican from Georgia, brought out a posterboard highlighting the company’s subsidiaries to emphasize its dominant presence in the country’s health care sector.
Rep. Carter also warned UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty that he would continue to work towards breaking up the company during his testimony at both the Senate Finance and House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearings. Witty was the sole witness at both events.
The hearings served as an opportunity for senators and representatives to criticize UnitedHealth Group’s control over the health care industry and call for action to address growing concerns about consolidation and its impact on patients and consumers. The calls to break up the company reflect a broader trend among lawmakers towards addressing issues related to healthcare reform and patient privacy.
The hearings also shed light on cybersecurity vulnerabilities in companies like Change Healthcare, prompting lawmakers to consider stronger regulations to protect sensitive patient data. As more Americans rely on digital health services, there is increasing pressure on government officials to take action to prevent similar cyberattacks in the future and ensure that personal health information remains secure.
Overall, Wednesday’s congressional hearings provided a platform for lawmakers from both sides of the political spectrum to voice their concerns about consolidation in healthcare and cybersecurity threats facing patients’ data.