Washington DC – Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09), chair of the Health Subcommittee, issued the following opening statement at today's hearing: Examine opportunities to advance American healthcare using artificial intelligence technology.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5npklvc9ofs
Chair Griffith's opening statement ready for delivery:
“Today's hearing provides the opportunity to continue the Energy and Commercial Commission's AI leadership by examining current applications of AI across the healthcare sector.
“The last Congress, this subcommittee, held a similar hearing on AI and machine learning.
“It is important to continue these types of education hearings to understand the evolving health AI landscape and to ensure Congress maintains many advances in the space.
“The application of AI and machine learning has been increasing throughout the healthcare sector in recent years, and has only played a more prominent role in the daily lives of all Americans.
“In today's healthcare field, AI is deployed by innovators to help patients along the individual's healthcare journey, support healthcare providers and reduce unnecessary management burdens. We look forward to learning more about these real-world applications from today's panel of experts.
“We also believe that as AI applications progress, it is important for Congress to continue to consider this landscape to ensure proper safety and monitoring. These AI applications are extremely beneficial to patients and healthcare providers, but they are to support today's clinical workforce and cannot be replaced.
“I would like to briefly highlight some examples of how AI is used to improve patient experiences and outcomes in today's market.
“Pharmaceutical companies are using AI to improve core scientific research capabilities, develop life-saving treatments and treatments, use AI to promote clinical trials, and bring safe and effective medicines to the market more quickly.
“Insurers use AI to process claims to get quick care from patients.
“Practitioners and hospitals dealing with document burdens use AI to help write and integrate records after visits.
“Companies that develop medical devices use machine learning to better understand specific diseases, to innovate and provide more clinically relevant and effective care interventions.
“The Trump administration is also moving forward with AI in the health sector and streamlining regulations to increase its application.
“I commend the current administration's work to incorporate AI in responsible ways that will help improve care.
“To date, CMS Innovation Centers have been working to use AI and machine learning to identify waste, fraud and abuse in federal healthcare systems and eradicate inappropriate taxpayer spending.
“The FDA incorporates the use of AI to significantly reduce the time required to complete a specific task in the review process.
“NIH researchers have developed AI algorithms that modernize the process of matching potential clinical trial volunteers with appropriate trials, reducing management time by 40% while maintaining the same level of placement accuracy.
“These are just a few of the many ways the administration integrates AI and streamlines the way the American health care system operates.
“As all these innovative advances are being utilized throughout the US healthcare ecosystem, the application of AI and machine learning is only increasing, so ensuring that proper surveillance is applied is paramount.
“We need to ensure that these tools continue to empower providers who serve communities across the country.
“These tools should help improve patient experiences and ultimately help access to care, particularly in rural areas, such as the communities represented in Virginia's District 9.
“We hope that today there will be a constructive conversation about the opportunities and risks that come with AI, and what the committee should be thinking about the role that can help shape the future of AI in healthcare.
“We look forward to hearing more from witnesses and members of this subcommittee on the application of AI in healthcare.”
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