AUGUSTA – On Wednesday, the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously to advance a bill from Rep. Julie McCabe, D-Lewiston, that would help prevent cybersecurity attacks on Maine hospitals and ensure continuity of patient care when future cyberattacks occur.
LD 2103 was born out of two separate cyber-incidents last spring, impacting five hospitals across Maine. The cyberattacks crippled basic communication services, exposed serious and wide-ranging breakdowns in hospitals’ protocols and threatened patient care for weeks — including both preventative care and care for cancer patients.
The five Maine hospitals impacted by last spring’s cyberattacks were Covenant Health’s St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston, St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bangor and Central Maine Medical Center’s hospitals in Lewiston, Bridgton and Rumford. More than 400,000 people, almost one-third of the state’s residents, were put at risk.
“Cyberattacks can have disastrous consequences for both providers and patients,” said McCabe. “Prescriptions could go unfilled, crucial appointments canceled and vital care interrupted. Under this legislation, hospitals would be prepared in the event of a cyber-incident and would be able to provide continuity of care for patients, while also safeguarding their personal information. I’m proud that this bill received unanimous support from the committee.”
The bill would require Maine hospitals to create cybersecurity plans, assess vulnerabilities, mandate annual training for all staff and require planning for restoring the most critical networks and medical technology. Additionally, it would help hospitals improve their post-incident response plans by requiring local healthcare organizations to engage in mutual aid compacts and create plans together to facilitate care continuity.
The bill faces votes in the House and Senate.
Rep. McCabe is serving her first term in the Maine House and represents House District 93, which includes part of Lewiston. She serves on the Health and Human Services Committee.
Contact:
Meagan Sway (McCabe) | 305-965-2744