Golden State Today

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta, alongside a bipartisan, multistate coalition of 22 attorneys general, has called upon UnitedHealth Group, Inc. to aid those affected by the recent cyberattack on Change Healthcare.

The cyberattack, which occurred on February 21, 2024, caused a catastrophic outage of Change Healthcare, impacting providers, pharmacies, and patients. Attorney General Bonta highlighted the severity of the situation, stating, “From disrupting operations of hospitals and medical facilities to significant delays in patient care, cyberattacks on our healthcare infrastructure leads to significant harm to our patients.”

In a letter to UnitedHealth Group, the coalition of attorneys general urged the company to take immediate action to support those impacted by the cyberattack. Among the steps requested are enhancements to financial assistance for affected providers, facilities, and pharmacies, as well as the suspension of certain documentation requirements to alleviate burdens on healthcare professionals.

Attorney General Bonta emphasized the importance of UnitedHealth Group's swift response, stating, “That’s why today, alongside attorneys general across this country, I am urging UnitedHealth Group to take comprehensive and immediate action to support patients and others who have been affected.”

The coalition of attorneys general, including representatives from Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington, are united in their call for UnitedHealth Group to address the repercussions of the Change Healthcare cyberattack and provide necessary support to healthcare providers and patients.