WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a recent Senate Committee on Finance hearing, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) engaged experts on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, emphasizing the necessity to address and mitigate AI-driven disparities in health outcomes for underserved and underrepresented populations.
Senator Menendez interrogated Dr. Ziad Obermeyer, a notable figure in health AI research, about the legislative and policy measures needed to ensure AI technologies enhance rather than exacerbate health inequalities. Highlighting a concerning study, Menendez pointed out the racial bias inherent in a widely utilized health prediction algorithm, which inaccurately assessed Black patients as healthier than their white counterparts, leading to a significant disparity in the allocation of healthcare resources.
Addressing the issue of diversity in clinical trials, Senator Menendez underscored the importance of his bipartisan DIVERSE Trials Act, designed to increase accessibility and representation in clinical research. He cited innovative AI applications as tools for improving trial diversity, noting their success in identifying treatment centers and thereby boosting enrollment rates among Black patients in cancer studies.
Furthermore, Senator Menendez sought insights from Peter Shen of Siemens Healthineers on making AI-driven healthcare services more accessible through consistent Medicare payments. He expressed concern over the current reimbursement landscape for AI medical services by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which he deemed inconsistent and insufficient to meet patient needs.
Senator Menendez’s involvement in AI policy discussions extends beyond healthcare, including concerns over AI’s potential to amplify financial fraud and scams. His legislative efforts aim to ensure the United States leads in establishing international standards for AI that align with national interests and values.