Affordable Care Act Data Hub is Ready and Secure
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, received a letter from the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) stating that it has, ahead of schedule, completed testing of and received security authorization for the Federal Services Data Hub which will serve as a tool to assist the public in applying for health care under the Affordable Care Act.
Privacy and security protections of the Hub have been a priority for Ranking Member Thompson and the Committee on Homeland Security. This security authorization indicates that CMS will be ready to operate the Hub securely on schedule starting October 1st. The Hub will provide a common, secure connection for healthcare marketplaces to seek information from federal databases necessary to verify eligibly of the millions of Americans who will begin to shop for quality, affordable health coverage. It should be noted that the Hub does not store personal information but simply verifies it through secure connections with appropriate government entities.
Congressman Thompson released the following statement on the news of the certification:
I am pleased that the Administration has completed security testing of its healthcare exchange data hub ahead of schedule. This will give confidence to those shopping for healthcare starting October 1st that the government will ensure their privacy. The alarms about security and privacy expressed by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle appear to be misplaced and political.
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies, added the following statement:
The health care exchanges established in each state will function only if people are certain that their private information – medical and financial – will be protected. I commend the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for its commitment to the privacy of every American.
Press Advisory: The Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies will hold a hearing today on the security of the Hub (more info and video).
Letter to Ranking Member Thompson
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Media Contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978
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