Is Your Health Data Safe? New Report Details What Could Be 'Critical' Healthcare.gov Security Lapses

Given the months-long botched rollout of Heathcare.gov, the online health insurance marketplace for Obamacare, in October 2013, the safety and security of Americans' health data have become a primary concern among many.

Healthcare.gov (Photo credit: Shutterstock)

Nearly one year later, it seems those concerns are just as relevant.

The Department of Health and Human Services released a report Tuesday in which some of its own experts outlined "critical" susceptibility to hackers. Those HHS experts attempted to break into the site just as potential hackers might do. While they were blocked from taking certain actions, the report concluded that "more work" is needed to ensure total security of the site while auditors said they "remain concerned," CBS News reported.

One of the system's flaws could allow potential hackers to go as far as to break in, take over the system, and even download or change data. The report did not provide details as to any more specific risks.  It simply noted that “Not all vulnerabilities lead to security breaches."

Fox News reported last month that the Obama Administration refused to answer questions related to healthcare.gov security issues, despite earlier promises of transparency.

(H/T: CBS News, Fox News)

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