UnitedHealth CEO Testifies on $22M Ransom for Change Healthcare Hack, 152M Affected

May 1, 2024, 02:15 PM

UnitedHealth Group recently suffered a ransomware attack, leading to significant disruptions and financial implications. Hackers exploited remote-access software, remaining undetected in the network for nine days before launching the attack on Change Healthcare. The incident forced some healthcare providers to use personal savings to maintain operations. UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty, who testified before the Senate Finance Committee, took personal responsibility for the decision to pay a $22 million ransom to resolve the situation. This decision was described as one of the hardest he has ever made. The attack compromised sensitive data, including that of U.S. military personnel and potentially impacted 152 million individuals. The Senate hearing also addressed UnitedHealth's cybersecurity failures and their impact on nearly one-third of Americans.