{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://amo.house.gov/press-release/ri-delegation-wants-feds-to-help-protect-residents-in-wake-of-cyberattack-on-ribridges-computer-system", "RI Delegation Wants Feds to Help Protect Residents in Wake of Cyberattack on RIBridges Computer System", "2024-12-17", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "RI", "Gabe Amo", "A000380", "amo.house.gov", "amo", "https://amo.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 In an effort to assist the state in the wake of a cyberattack against RIBridges \u2013 the state\u2019s integrated online platform for social services \u2013 and mitigate the impact of the attack on Rhode Islanders, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo today sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requesting additional flexibility and assistance to ensure residents are protected and do not lose access to vital services.\n\nRhode Island\u2019s Congressional delegation wants the federal government to coordinate efforts with the state to help keep participants enrolled in Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).\n\n\u201cIn light of a major cyberattack, we write to urge your Departments to grant the State of Rhode Island flexibility and time to comply with administrative requirements related to its public benefits programs and to provide any additional support to ensure that eligible individuals do not lose access to needed benefits,\u201d the four members of the delegation wrote.\n\nThe letter comes on the heels of a cyberattack on RIBridges (originally known as UHIP), by the international ransomware group known as Brain Cipher. RIBridges was developed by consulting firm Deloitte under a state contract. The cyberattack put the personal data (including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and bank information) of approximately 500,000 people at risk as the hackers demand a ransom payment.\n\nThe letter notes that in the wake of the attack: \u201cThe State directed the vendor responsible for administering the platform to shut down RI Bridges in order to remove all malicious code and remediate the threat. Individuals now must submit paper applications to secure their benefits. The impact could be large since RI Bridges manages enrollment and eligibility verifications for programs, including Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and more. HealthSource RI, the state\u2019s Affordable Care Act marketplace was also affected by this hack, which comes during the annual open-enrollment period for health insurance, when people apply for or renew coverage.\u201d\n\nAs the state continues to cooperate with law enforcement and governmental investigators, the delegation is urging all Rhode Islanders to be proactive in protecting their personal data, changing passwords, and monitoring their financial accounts for unauthorized activity.\n\nThe state launched a website \u2014 cyberalert.ri.gov \u2014 and special hotline (833) 918-6603 to answer questions and assist those impacted by the cyberattack.\n\nFull text of the letter follows:\n\nDecember 17, 2024\n\nDear Secretaries Becerra and Vilsack:\n\nIn light of a major cyberattack, we write to urge your Departments to grant the State of Rhode Island flexibility and time to comply with administrative requirements related to its public benefits programs and to provide any additional support to ensure that eligible individuals do not lose access to needed benefits.\n\nOn December 5, 2024, RI Bridges, the State of Rhode Island\u2019s integrated online platform for social services, was hacked and the personal data (including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and bank information) of approximately 500,000 people was stolen and has been held for ransom. The State directed the vendor responsible for administering the platform to shut down RI Bridges in order to remove all malicious\n\ncode and remediate the threat. Individuals now must submit paper applications to secure their benefits. The impact could be large since RI Bridges manages enrollment and eligibility verifications for programs, including Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and more. HealthSource RI, the state\u2019s Affordable Care Act marketplace was also affected by this hack, which comes during the annual open-enrollment period for health insurance, when people apply for or renew coverage.\n\nWe appreciate everything your Departments have done already to assist Rhode Island with this situation, but given the scope of this hack and that it has targeted our most vulnerable constituents, we ask that you grant the State of Rhode Island any assistance and flexibility it requires within all application rules and regulations.\n\nThank you for your attention to this request, and we look forward to your prompt reply.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://amo.house.gov/press-release/ri-delegation-wants-feds-to-help-protect-residents-in-wake-of-cyberattack-on-ribridges-computer-system"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.8228909466415644, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}