Public Citizen Unveils New Tracker for State Legislation Regulating AI in Healthcare Coverage Decisions

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Public Citizen launched a new, interactive tracker monitoring state-level efforts to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare coverage decisions.

The tracker identifies 53 legislative proposals introduced across 25 states aimed at ensuring that insurers cannot use AI systems to deny coverage for or delay medically necessary care. So far, 5 states have enacted new protections, while numerous bills remain under consideration in state legislatures.

Health insurers are increasingly relying on opaque AI tools to make life-or-death decisions about patient care, raising concerns about wrongful denials, discrimination and lack of accountability. Reports have documented patients being denied treatments and medications by algorithms that substitute automation for individualized medical judgment.

“AI-driven healthcare coverage decisions are already harming patients, with algorithms overriding doctors and putting profits ahead of people,” said Ilana Beller, organizing manager at Public Citizen. “Given the rapid integration of AI across industries, it’s clear we need common sense guardrails to ensure that corporate uptake of AI does not come at the expense of the health of American people. Lawmakers across the country are mobilizing to take action to protect patients in their next legislative sessions, but until every state enacts strong safeguards, millions remain vulnerable.”

“Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the delivery of healthcare. As a physician, I see it in my practice,” said Pennsylvania State Representative Arvind Venkat, who is currently sponsoring legislation on the topic. “But patients and the public need confidence that this technology will be deployed in a responsible manner. This legislation will ensure that when AI is used in healthcare, there will be transparency to the public, confidence that a human decision maker will apply AI in an individualized way, and existing laws related to privacy and discrimination are followed. We need responsible use of AI in healthcare. This bill will do that.”

To assist policymakers, Public Citizen has also developed a model law that state legislators can use as a template to draft their own bills.

The tracker and corresponding map will be updated frequently as bills progress. For more information, or to speak with an expert on the topic, please contact Emily Leach at eleach@citizen.org.