Former FBI official proposes terror designations for ransomware hackers targeting hospitals

A former FBI cyber chief testified before Congress advocating that ransomware gangs targeting hospitals be evaluated for terrorism designations and that prosecutors consider homicide charges when attacks result in patient deaths, arguing existing counterterrorism authorities (e.g., Executive Order 13224) and related legal tools could be applied to impose stronger consequences; the testimony cites recent disruptive incidents such as the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Change Healthcare and urges coordinated legal and policy responses to address the growing harm.