Samwise Healthcare IT Newsletter
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Iowa Attorney General Sues Change Healthcare Over 2024 Ransomware Attack
Iowa State Attorney General Brenna Bird filed a lawsuit against UnitedHealth Group and its Change Healthcare unit on March 31, 2026, alleging violations stemming from February 2024’s ransomware attack. The BlackCat/AlphV gang breached Change Healthcare systems undetected for 10 days, stealing data on 192.7 million Americans, including 2.2 million Iowans. The lawsuit claims violations of Iowa’s Consumer Fraud Act, HIPAA regulations, and state privacy laws. The AG seeks civil penalties of $40,000 per violation, plus $5,000 for violations affecting older adults. UnitedHealth disputes the claims and vows vigorous defense. The case represents ongoing enforcement of healthcare data security standards.
Sources: Becker’s Hospital Review
Epic Health Systems Connect to SSA Through TEFCA for Disability Benefits
For the first time, healthcare organizations using Epic EHR systems can instantly share patient medical records with the Social Security Administration via TEFCA’s trusted exchange framework. The pilot includes AltaMed, Citizen Potawatomi Nation Health Services, Overlake Hospital, Saint Francis Health System, and Valleywise Health. TEFCA-based exchange accelerates disability benefit determinations by up to 50%, reducing transfer times from weeks to seconds. SSA previously received Epic records through legacy networks; this represents a modern interoperability milestone. Epic’s TEFCA participation enables 13 additional hospitals and 374 clinics to connect, strengthening national health data exchange infrastructure.
Sources: Healthcare IT News
HHS Reverses Biden-Era Reorganization, Returns ONC to Original Structure
The Trump administration reversed Biden-era technology restructuring at HHS, restoring the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT to its singular identity. Previously consolidated under ASTP/ONC, the roles have been separated: ONC now focuses on standards, certification, and policy as a staff division within HHS Office of the Secretary. The chief technology officer, chief AI officer, and chief data officer functions shifted to the HHS Chief Information Officer. National Coordinator Dr. Thomas Keane stated the structural realignment allows ONC to concentrate more effectively on core health IT governance. The change reflects the Trump administration’s deregulatory approach to federal health technology oversight.
Sources: Healthcare Dive
HIMSS26 Highlights Convergence of AI Governance and Cybersecurity Resilience
At HIMSS26, healthcare leaders identified AI governance and cybersecurity resilience as deeply interconnected challenges. The industry is moving from “What can AI do?” to “How do we integrate AI responsibly.” Autonomous AI agents deployed in administrative and clinical settings raise governance concerns; healthcare must adapt structures to manage non-human identities and cybersecurity risks. While AI shows tangible operational results in bed utilization and supply chain optimization, governance lags behind deployment velocity. Money alone cannot secure AI—organizations require governance frameworks to prevent misuse and maintain trust. Healthcare’s transition from AI pilots to enterprise-scale deployment demands updated governance strategies.
Sources: Healthcare Dive
VA Responds to EHR Glitches Ahead of Expanded 2026 Oracle Rollouts
The Department of Veterans Affairs continues Oracle Health EHR rollouts despite ongoing system challenges. Thirteen VA medical centers are scheduled to go live in 2026, including four Michigan sites in April. Patient safety concerns persist: clinicians report disappearing notes, incorrect prescription dosages, and data anomalies. The GAO confirms numerous unresolved issues, though the VA characterizes accounts of persistent risks as “cherry-picked.” The EHR, managed by Oracle Health following its 2022 Cerner acquisition, has experienced outages since first deployment in 2020. The acceleration of deployments amid unresolved technical and safety issues raises questions about implementation timelines and patient safety prioritization.
Sources: Healthcare IT News
Provider Groups Push to Preserve AI Model Card Transparency Requirements
Healthcare provider groups are advocating to preserve AI “model card” transparency requirements as the Trump administration proposes aggressive deregulation. The Biden-era requirement mandates AI vendors submit documentation detailing training data, intended use, and limitations—essentially a nutrition label for clinical decision support tools. The proposed HTI-5 rule would remove 34 of 60 health IT certification criteria, including model cards. Providers warn that losing this transparency baseline threatens patient safety and clinical trust. Without enforceable standards, medical groups bear increased compliance responsibility and face greater product variability. The deregulatory push could shift oversight burden from vendors to providers.
Sources: Healthcare Dive
Digital Health Funding Concentrates in Fewer Startups During Q1 2026
Rock Health’s Q1 2026 report reveals digital health funding totaled $4 billion across 110 deals, representing a notable shift: deal count declined from 122 in Q1 2025, yet capital raised increased from $3 billion. Average deal size reached $36.7 million, the highest since 2021. If mega-deal velocity continues, 2026 will see 50 rounds exceeding $100 million. AI-enabled digital health companies represent 54% of total funding, up from 37% previously. The IPO window for public exits remains narrow; few digital health companies have accessed capital markets recently after the post-COVID fundraising surge. Concentration in later-stage deals signals investor preference for proven business models.
Sources: Healthcare Dive
Epic’s AI Charting Tool Now Broadly Available for EHR Clients
Epic Systems released its AI Charting tool for broader availability among EHR clients following initial deployment. Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin codeveloped the tool with Epic and was first to adopt the features. Additional early adopters include FMOL Health, which selected Epic’s AI scribe for accuracy and cost-effectiveness. Sutter Health went live with Epic’s Emmie AI chatbot for patient engagement. Tampa General Hospital tests Ask Art, allowing clinicians to query patient data. Advocate Health deployed Agent Factory for autonomous agentic tools. AI Charting for bedside nursing launches this month; home care deployment follows in April. The rollout reflects Epic’s broadening AI portfolio across clinical and operational workflows.
Sources: Healthcare Dive
Curated by JD · samwise.agency