AI Regulation Bill Gains Momentum in Pennsylvania
The health care field agrees: artificial intelligence (AI) is already an integral tool used daily in the industry. However, the question of when and how to regulate it poses challenges that draw a wide variety of perspectives and opinions from experts and legislators.
Legislative Action
At the forefront of this discussion is Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Pittsburgh, an emergency room physician uniquely positioned at the intersection of clinical practice and legislation. His bill, House Bill 1925, recently underwent a more than three-hour hearing with the House Communications and Technology Committee.
Venkat emphasized that AI technology is fundamentally different from other health care developments for three reasons: it is autonomous, it approaches human intelligence, and it often operates as a black box regarding its reasoning. He argued that as AI is increasingly entrusted with tasks traditionally reserved for physicians, it must also be regulated and held accountable.
Consensus on Regulation
Across several panels, including representatives from public interest groups, the insurance industry, information technologists, hospital administrators, and clinicians, there was consensus that some form of legislation would be a step forward. This is particularly significant given that neither federal nor state governments have made substantial progress in this area.
However, many stakeholders noted that the proposed legislation may require significant reworking and negotiation before it becomes acceptable to all parties. A key point of discussion is the necessity of keeping a human in the loop. The medical field employs AI for a wide array of functions, almost all of which require some human oversight. For instance, applications that transcribe consultations or assist in diagnostics by analyzing radiology scans still necessitate a professional’s final approval.
Insurance Industry Concerns
Issues have arisen in the insurance sector, where representatives from the attorney general’s office reported receiving complaints from patients about AI denying their claims without human consideration. This lack of human oversight complicates investigations into such claims, leading to skepticism regarding the industry’s willingness to comply with existing regulations.
Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys pointed out that insurance providers currently operate under the expectation that any claim recommended for denial should be reviewed by a professional. However, the use of AI can speed up the approval process, raising concerns about accountability.
Efficiency Gains Through AI
Dr. David Vega, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Wellspan Health, shared positive insights about AI’s role in health care. He noted that AI has saved thousands of hours for medical staff, enabling them to focus on patient care rather than administrative tasks. For example, AI’s analysis of more than 200,000 scans has expedited life-saving care for over 10,000 patients suffering from critical conditions such as pulmonary embolisms or brain bleeds.
Vega emphasized that the combination of human expertise and technologies like AI is enhancing patient care and outcomes in unprecedented ways. AI’s ability to handle administrative tasks is seen as a means to alleviate the workforce shortage, allowing medical professionals to return their focus to patient-centered care.
Healthcare Workers’ Concerns
Despite these benefits, concerns persist among healthcare workers. Maureen May, President of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, reported that a survey of members revealed a profound distrust toward employers regarding the responsible implementation of AI. An overwhelming 89% of respondents expressed skepticism about their employers’ commitment to ethical AI usage.
Regulation vs. Innovation
For legislators, the challenge lies in balancing regulation with the potential for overregulation, which could stifle future innovation. Some worry that imposing rules on AI now could hinder advancements, while others fear that failing to regulate could lead to problems similar to those experienced with unchecked social media power.
J.B. Branch, an artificial intelligence policy expert at Public Citizen, highlighted the widespread concern about AI, which transcends demographic and political boundaries. Recent actions, such as an executive order from President Donald Trump aimed at prohibiting state-level AI regulations, illustrate the complexity of the issue.
As Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Royersford, noted, the federal government has been slow to act, creating confusion and mistrust surrounding AI. He expressed hope that state-level initiatives could spur the federal government into action, addressing the urgent need for thoughtful regulation in the AI landscape.
