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A BILL
To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a
study on strategies for the application of artificial intelligence
technologies that can be used in the health care industry to improve
administrative and clerical work and preserve the privacy and security
of patient data, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``AI in Health Care Efficiency and
Study Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Administrative and clerical work contribute
significantly to health care costs and health care provider
burnout.
(2) Artificial intelligence technologies have the potential
to streamline clerical work and record keeping, allowing health
care providers to spend more time with patients.
(3) Protection of patient privacy and compliance with
regulations promulgated pursuant to section 264 of the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C.
1320d-2 note) are essential in the development and deployment
of artificial intelligence tools in health care.
SEC. 3. STUDY ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Secretary of Health and Human Services
(in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall conduct a study on
strategies for the application of artificial intelligence technologies
that can be used across the health care industry, including health care
providers and health plans as defined under section 262 of the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1320d)
and covered entities and business associates as defined under section
160.103 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, to improve
administrative and clerical processes and protect the privacy and
security of patient data in programs and activities within the
jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Human Services.
(b) Contents.--In conducting the study under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall evaluate existing strategies and identify additional
strategies to apply artificial intelligence technologies to--
(1) reduce administrative burden and improve efficiency in
administrative and clerical tasks, including scheduling, claims
processing, documentation, prior authorization workflows, and
other operational tasks performed by health care providers and
health plans;
(2) improve the accuracy, timeliness, and interoperability
of patient record-keeping, including electronic health record
documentation;
(3) ensure the privacy, security, and integrity of patient
data, including compliance with regulations promulgated
pursuant to section 264 of the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1320d-2 note) and any
applicable standards established by the National Institute of
Standards and Technology; and
(4) evaluate how artificial intelligence technologies can
be used to detect, prevent, and mitigate cybersecurity attacks
on health care providers, including--
(A) ransomware incidents;
(B) data breaches; and
(C) other threats experienced by healthcare
providers.
(c) Consultation.--In carrying out the study required under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall seek to consult with--
(1) the Director of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology;
(2) the Director of the National Institutes of Health;
(3) the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality;
(4) the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of
the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology for
the Department of Health and Human Services;
(5) the Director of the Office for Civil Rights for the
Department of Health and Human Services;
(6) academic institutions;
(7) artificial intelligence developers;
(8) civil rights experts;
(9) health care providers;
(10) hospital associations;
(11) information technology vendors that serve the health
care industry;
(12) nonprofit research institutions; and
(13) patient privacy experts.
(d) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the Secretary completes
the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to
the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the
Senate a report on the study conducted under subsection (a) that
contains--
(1) the findings and conclusions of the study, including
identified risks, opportunities, and implementation challenges;
(2) an assessment of existing artificial intelligence tools
currently in use for administrative or clerical functions in
the health care industry, including their effectiveness,
limitations, and implications for provider burden;
(3) recommendations for future research and pilot programs
led or supported by the Department of Health and Human Services
relating to the use of artificial intelligence in
administrative and clerical functions within the health care
industry; and
(4) policy options for Congress and the Secretary to
support the development, testing, implementation, and oversight
of artificial intelligence tools that enhance administrative
efficiency in health care while ensuring strong protections for
patient privacy and data security.