This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a comprehensive strategy for building the cybersecurity workforce in rural hospitals within one year. The Secretary must consult with various agencies and rural healthcare providers to identify specific challenges and foster partnerships for training and education. The strategy's components include creating a cybersecurity curriculum for rural educational institutions and recommending legislative or regulatory actions. It also requires the identification of both rural-specific and general cybersecurity challenges, along with common mitigation practices. Additionally, the bill mandates the Secretary to make instructional materials available to rural hospitals within one year to train staff on fundamental cybersecurity efforts. These materials will be developed in consultation with experts, and an awareness campaign will promote their use. Annual briefings to Congress will track the strategy's progress and effectiveness, though no additional funds are authorized for this Act's implementation.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 309.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 309.
Science, Technology, Communications
Computer security and identity theftHealth facilities and institutionsHigher educationRural conditions and developmentVocational and technical education
Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act
USA119th CongressS-2169| Senate
| Updated: 1/28/2026
This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a comprehensive strategy for building the cybersecurity workforce in rural hospitals within one year. The Secretary must consult with various agencies and rural healthcare providers to identify specific challenges and foster partnerships for training and education. The strategy's components include creating a cybersecurity curriculum for rural educational institutions and recommending legislative or regulatory actions. It also requires the identification of both rural-specific and general cybersecurity challenges, along with common mitigation practices. Additionally, the bill mandates the Secretary to make instructional materials available to rural hospitals within one year to train staff on fundamental cybersecurity efforts. These materials will be developed in consultation with experts, and an awareness campaign will promote their use. Annual briefings to Congress will track the strategy's progress and effectiveness, though no additional funds are authorized for this Act's implementation.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 309.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 309.
Computer security and identity theftHealth facilities and institutionsHigher educationRural conditions and developmentVocational and technical education