States Enhance Oversight as Artificial Intelligence Comes to Medical Exam Rooms
States across the U.S. are implementing new regulations to oversee the growing use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, emphasizing transparency, human oversight, and bias reduction to ensure safe and ethical application.
As artificial intelligence technologies become increasingly integrated into healthcare settings, several states are moving to establish regulatory frameworks to oversee their use. A bipartisan group of Pennsylvania legislators has introduced a bill aimed at regulating how AI is utilized by insurers, hospitals, and healthcare providers. The proposed legislation would require these entities to adhere to specific rules when deploying AI tools for patient care, billing, coding, claims processing, and other health-related functions.
Pennsylvania State Rep. Arvind Venkat, a former emergency physician, highlighted that while AI has improved administrative efficiency, its growing application in clinical decision-making raises concerns. Venkat emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, advocating for legislation that mandates human oversight in AI-driven decisions and mandates proof of bias mitigation.
This year alone, over a dozen states have enacted laws regulating AI in healthcare, reflecting a nationwide trend. States like Arizona, Maryland, Nebraska, and Texas have implemented bans on insurance companies relying solely on AI for prior authorization or medical necessity denials. Nevada and Oregon have prohibited AI from falsely representing themselves as healthcare providers, while other states such as Utah and New York have established regulations on AI-powered chatbots used in mental health services.
Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers support these measures, recognizing the critical need for oversight in AI deployment. The proposed Pennsylvania legislation specifies that AI use must be transparent, involve human judgment, and demonstrate efforts to minimize bias. This is particularly pertinent given research indicating that AI can inadvertently reinforce existing biases in healthcare.
Public opinion also favors increased oversight, with more than half of American patients expressing concern over unregulated AI use in healthcare, according to a recent survey. Meanwhile, healthcare professionals report a marked increase in AI utilization for administrative tasks and decision-making.
Organizations like the American Medical Association are calling for stricter oversight standards, underscoring the importance of ensuring AI’s safe and equitable application in medicine.
This evolving regulatory landscape underscores the importance of balancing technological innovation with ethical considerations to protect patient welfare and maintain trust in healthcare systems.
Stay Updated with Mia's Feed
Get the latest health & wellness insights delivered straight to your inbox.
Related Articles
Healthcare Organizations Address the Growing Crisis of Elder Homelessness in the U.S.
Healthcare organizations are expanding their roles to combat the rising epidemic of elder homelessness, linking medical care with housing solutions to support vulnerable seniors across the U.S.
Breakthrough in Gene Therapy Reverses Brain Disorder Symptoms in Mice
Researchers at the Allen Institute have developed a groundbreaking gene therapy that successfully reverses symptoms of SYNGAP1-related brain disorders in mice, opening new avenues for treatment of severe neurological conditions like epilepsy and intellectual disability.
Studies Reveal Connection Between Birth Difficulties and Adult Health Challenges
Research highlights the link between distressed births and increased risk of chronic and mental health issues in adulthood, emphasizing the importance of maternal care and early interventions.