Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Health Companies Sign On To White House Parameters For AI Development
Twenty-eight healthcare companies, including CVS Health, are signing U.S. President Joe Biden's voluntary commitments aimed at ensuring the safe development of artificial intelligence (AI), a White House official said on Thursday. The commitments by healthcare providers and payers follow those of 15 leading AI companies, including Google, OpenAI and OpenAI partner Microsoft to develop AI models responsibly. (Shalal, 12/14)
Physicians are excited but cautious about the use of artificial and augmented intelligence in medicine, according to a survey published by the American Medical Association on Thursday. AMA surveyed more than 1,000 doctors for their thoughts on AI, which the advocacy group defines as augmented intelligence. ... The survey revealed the majority of respondents see advantages to AI in healthcare but some are concerned over its potential effect on patient relationships and data privacy. (Turner, 12/14)
In other health care industry news —
HCA Healthcare allegedly breached the terms of the agreement it made with North Carolina when it purchased Mission Health four years ago, according to a lawsuit the state filed Thursday. North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein (D) alleges the for-profit, Nashville, Tennessee-based health system has cut staffing at Mission Health facilities, leading to delays in emergency and cancer care and a decline in quality, according to the complaint filed in Buncombe County Superior Court. (Kacik, 12/14)
The head of Manchester Memorial and Rockville General hospitals told Gov. Ned Lamont in October that Yale New Haven Health’s bid to buy those two facilities and Waterbury Hospital is “paramount” to their survival, and that “time is of the essence” in the state’s approval of the acquisition, according to a letter obtained by The Connecticut Mirror. (Carlesso and Altimari, 12/14)
The Mount Sinai health system continues to move its mission towards more community-based services. This week administrators celebrated the grand opening of their new Harlem Health Center at 158 West 124th Street. The building brings together physical, mental and specialized services neighbors say they need the most. From mental health to podiatry, the Harlem Health Center aims to address all the organs from head to toe. (Mitchell, 12/14)
