WASHINGTON — A group of House Republicans is pressing FBI Director Kash Patel to sustain aggressive efforts against ransomware gangs that have repeatedly targeted U.S. hospitals, describing the cyberattacks as a growing national security threat that endangers patients and disrupts critical medical care.
In a letter sent Thursday, the lawmakers applauded the FBI’s recent initiatives, including new guidance to help health care organizations bolster their defenses, and urged continued collaboration with hospitals and greater information sharing to thwart future attacks.
Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, is leading the effort. Signatories include Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, and Reps. Aaron Bean, R-Fla.; Sheri Biggs, R-S.C.; Ben Cline, R-Va.; Eli Crane, R-Ariz.; Lance Gooden, R-Texas; John Moolenaar, R-Mich.; and Brian Babin, R-Texas.
“Cyberattacks against hospital systems and health care providers have evolved from isolated incidents into a persistent and escalating national security concern,” the letter states.
The lawmakers cited FBI and Department of Health and Human Services data showing more than 5,000 major health care data breaches reported since 2009, affecting over 500 million patient records. Ransomware complaints to the FBI surged from fewer than 200 across all sectors in 2015 to more than 2,800 in 2023, with the health care sector among the most heavily targeted.
In 2023 alone, more than 700 health care breaches affected 500 or more people, the highest number recorded at the time. The FBI reported 460 ransomware attacks on the health care sector in 2025, more than any other critical infrastructure category.
“These attacks are not victimless crimes,” the members wrote. Ransomware incidents can force hospitals to shut down systems, delay surgeries and emergency care, divert ambulances and put patients at risk, while costing health systems millions of dollars.
The letter highlights the FBI’s work disrupting transnational ransomware networks, many operating on a “ransomware-as-a-service” model with safe havens overseas. It also backs Patel’s push for timely cyber threat intelligence sharing between health care providers and law enforcement.
Nehls said in an exclusive statement to Breitbart News that health care infrastructure has been under attack for decades.
“We must do everything in our power to protect our hospital systems and health care providers from cyberattacks, which jeopardize patients’ lives and cost health care systems millions of dollars,” Nehls said. “I’m proud to lead a letter to FBI Director Patel, applauding his recent actions […] and urging him to deploy every tool available to combat cyberattacks from criminal organizations.”
Pfluger echoed the urgency.
“The threat to America’s health care infrastructure is real, it is growing, and it demands aggressive action,” he said. “When ransomware gangs can shut down a hospital and put patients’ lives on the line, that is a national security threat.”
The group called for stronger public-private partnerships, streamlined reporting and policies to enhance cybersecurity resilience across the sector while holding malicious actors accountable.
