The U.S. healthcare system is grappling with a severe crisis after a ransomware attack on Change Healthcare, the nation's largest billing clearinghouse, described by a senior U.S. cybersecurity official as showing the entire system is a "house of cards". This attack has left hospitals, clinics, and doctors across the country unable to process payments for weeks, with some warning of severe financial strain since the incident on February 21. In response, federal health officials have announced emergency funding and a Medicare loan program to support affected medical providers. The Biden Administration has urged UnitedHealth, Change Healthcare's parent company, to expedite payments to providers. UnitedHealthcare has also sought an emergency exemption to fast-track its takeover of a medical practice in Corvallis, Oregon, highlighting the far-reaching impact of the cyberattack.