TOPEKA, Kansas, July 12 -- Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt issued the following news release:

A health insurance company will change its data security practices to settle a lawsuit over a data breach that compromised the personal information of more than 10.4 million people nationwide, including 19,247 in Kansas, Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced today.

The settlement resolves allegations that Premera Blue Cross, the largest health insurance company in the Pacific Northwest, failed to meet its obligations under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and violated the Kansas Consumer Protection Act by not addressing known cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Schmidt and 29 other state attorneys general yesterday filed the settlement, which requires Premera to implement specific data security controls to protect personal health information, annually review its security practices, and provide data security reports to the attorneys general. The company also will pay a $10 million penalty, of which $56,915.83 will go to Kansas. Consumer restitution is being addressed by a separate class-action lawsuit. A proposed settlement of that suit, which does not involve the attorney general's office, is pending in federal court in Oregon.

From May 5, 2014, until March 6, 2015, a hacker had unauthorized access to the Premera network containing sensitive personal information, including private health information, Social Security numbers, bank account information, names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, member identification numbers and email addresses. The hacker took advantage of multiple known weaknesses in Premera's data security. For years prior to the breach, cybersecurity experts and the company's own auditors repeatedly warned Premera of its inadequate security program, yet the company accepted many of the risks without fixing its practices.

The lawsuit resolved by yesterday's settlement alleged that Premera misled consumers nationwide about its privacy practices in the aftermath of the data breach. After the breach became public, Premera's call center agents told consumers there was "no reason to believe that any of your information was accessed or misused." They also told consumers that "there were already significant security measures in place to protect your information," even though multiple security experts and auditors had warned the company of its security vulnerabilities prior to the breach.

Under HIPAA, Premera is required to implement administrative, physical and technical safeguards that reasonably and appropriately protect sensitive personal health information. Premera repeatedly failed to meet these standards, leaving millions of people's sensitive data vulnerable to hackers for nearly a year.

Yesterday's settlement also requires Premera to:

* Ensure its data security program protects personal health information as required by law

* Regularly assess and update its security measures

* Provide data security reports, completed by a third-party security expert approved by the multistate coalition, to the Washington State Attorney General's Office

* Hire a chief information security officer, a separate position from the chief information officer. The information security officer must be experienced in data security and HIPAA compliance and will be responsible for implementing, maintaining and monitoring the company's security program.

* Hold regular meetings between the chief information security officer and Premera's executive management. The information security officer must meet with Premera's CEO every two months and inform the CEO of any unauthorized intrusion into the Premera network within 48 hours of discovery.

A copy of the consent judgment settling the case, which was filed yesterday in Shawnee County District Court, may be found at http://bit.ly/2YPYlQI.

New platform commits $380,000 to support passion, learning and opportunity for children and teens nationwide

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
New York Life today announced the launch of Golden Futures, a new platform designed to support families at critical moments when passions take shape, learning accelerates and futures begin to feel possible. Encompassing the Golden Futures Awards for children ages 5-16 and the Golden Futures Scholarship Program for current high school juniors and seniors, the initiative reinforces New York Life's commitment to being a trusted partner for families.

"Golden Futures represents our belief that progress happens together and families, communities and New York Life each play a role in supporting young people's journeys," said Lisa Thomsen, CVP, head of Digital Marketing and Sponsorships, New York Life. "This platform meets young people where they are, celebrating early passions and equipping students with both financial education and scholarship support.”

Golden Futures Awards: Supporting Early Passions

The Golden Futures Awards recognize that every passion starts somewhere. Parents and guardians can nominate children ages 5-16 by sharing a photo or video that captures their child's interests, a written description of the child's aspirations and how a Golden Futures Award would help fuel their curiosity, creativity and confidence.

Approved submissions are featured in an online gallery where family, friends and community members can show support through voting. From these entries, 100 children nationwide will each receive a $1,000 award to continue pursuing their passions.

Golden Futures Scholarship Program: Building Financial Confidence Through Learning

Financial confidence starts with knowledge. The Golden Futures Scholarship Program supports high school juniors and seniors by acknowledging students who take steps today toward a stronger financial future.

Students complete interactive financial literacy modules covering essential topics such as budgeting, saving and credit management, then apply for scholarships of $10,000 or $20,000 to support their post-secondary education. Twenty scholarships totaling $280,000 will be awarded to students nationwide. Awards are distributed based on academic achievement, personal goals and essay responses, and can be used at accredited two- or four-year colleges, universities, or trade and vocational schools.

How to Participate

Families can learn more and apply here.

Building on a Commitment to Families

Golden Futures builds on New York Life's award-winning Financial Empowerment Scholarship, announced in 2025, which awarded scholarships supporting students' post-secondary education expenses and long-term financial literacy. The expanded Golden Futures platform broadens this commitment by reaching younger children and their families while maintaining robust support for high school students preparing for college and career.

ABOUT NEW YORK LIFE

New York Life Insurance Company (www.newyorklife.com), a Fortune 100 company founded in 1845, is the largest¹ mutual life insurance company in the United States and one of the largest life insurers in the world. Headquartered in New York City, New York Life's family of companies offers life insurance and other solutions. New York Life has the highest financial strength ratings currently awarded to any U.S. life insurer from all four of the major credit rating agencies.²

¹ Based on revenue as reported by "Fortune 500 ranked within Industries, Insurance: Life, Health (Mutual)," Fortune magazine, 9/30/2025. For methodology, please see https://fortune.com/company/new-york-life-insurance/.

² Individual independent rating agency commentary as of 10/28/2025: A.M. Best (A++), Fitch (AAA), Moody's Investors Service (Aa1), Standard & Poor's (AA+).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260211345153/en/

Sara Sefcovic
New York Life

(212) 576-4499

[email protected]

Source: New York Life