Erin Houchin (R-IN)
Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act
A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a comprehensive strategy for developing a cybersecurity workforce specifically for rural hospitals. This strategy must address the increasing need for skilled professionals in these settings. The Secretary is tasked with consulting various government agencies and numerous rural health care provider representatives across the country. Additionally, the Act mandates the publication of free instructional materials to train hospital staff on fundamental cybersecurity efforts. The Secretary must also provide annual briefings to Congress regarding the progress and effectiveness of the strategy. Finally, the bill specifies that no additional funds are authorized for its implementation.
Yes· 3 of 18
- Scored +6
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill enhances cybersecurity defense specifically for critical rural healthcare infrastructure.
- Scored +5
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill directly addresses the specific cybersecurity and workforce needs of rural communities.
- Scored +5
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
By strengthening cybersecurity, the bill helps protect the digital infrastructure necessary for rural hospital operations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Development of specialized training: The strategy aims to create partnerships and education programs tailored specifically to the needs of rural hospitals, which could expand the local workforce (Section 3(c)(1)).
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Access to educational resources: The Act calls for the creation of a cybersecurity curriculum and teaching resources for use in community colleges and vocational schools located in rural areas (Section 3(c)(2)).
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Free training materials: The Secretary must publish instructional materials at no cost to help train hospital staff on fundamental cybersecurity efforts (Section 4(a)).
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Targeted problem solving: The strategy is required to identify specific cybersecurity challenges faced by rural hospitals and find common practices to mitigate those issues (Section 3(c)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Lack of funding: The Act explicitly states that no additional funds are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of carrying out the requirements of the bill (Section 5).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill directly addresses the specific cybersecurity and workforce needs of rural communities. Would students be better off under this? — Students in rural areas benefit from new cybersecurity curricula and potential training opportunities. Would business owners be better off under this? — Rural hospital owners benefit from the development of a skilled cybersecurity workforce. Would retired people be better off under this? — Retirees in rural areas benefit from more secure and resilient healthcare institutions. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The focus on cybersecurity training may benefit young adults seeking specialized technical education. Would farmers be better off under this? — Farmers in rural areas benefit from the continued stability of local hospital services. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Securing rural hospitals helps maintain essential services for low-income rural populations. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Many Native American communities rely on rural healthcare infrastructure which this bill supports. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Securing healthcare infrastructure is vital for people with disabilities who rely on consistent hospital services. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Seniors in rural areas benefit from more secure and stable hospital infrastructure. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans living in rural areas may benefit from more secure local healthcare services.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill enhances cybersecurity defense specifically for critical rural healthcare infrastructure.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — By strengthening cybersecurity, the bill helps protect the digital infrastructure necessary for rural hospital operations.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill supports rural development by strengthening the workforce and digital security of rural hospitals.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates annual briefings to Congress regarding strategy progress. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill directs the Secretary of HHS to create a national strategy and training resources.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill aims to expand the cybersecurity workforce through new training and educational partnerships.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — Enhanced cybersecurity training helps protect sensitive patient data privacy.
- 7/23/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jennifer McClellanDemocrat · Virginia
Kim SchrierDemocrat · Washington
Jefferson ShreveRepublican · Indiana
Glenn ThompsonRepublican · Pennsylvania
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii