Regulatory Challenges in Healthcare Technology: Insights from Experts
Recent regulations stemming from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and initiatives under the Biden administration have not only escalated healthcare costs but also hindered the progress of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies in the medical field, experts conveyed during a hearing before a House panel on Wednesday.
Dr. Ziad Obermeyer, a distinguished associate professor of health policy and management at the University of California, Berkeley, articulated that these regulations constitute “layers of permission” required to access health data.
“When I embarked on this line of research, the difficulty in obtaining necessary data led me to conduct studies in Sweden, which took a decade—yet was still swifter than navigating the complexities here, despite stringent European data regulations,” Obermeyer recounted during a joint session of two House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittees.
“The principal issue stems from the myriad permissions and approvals mandated for engaging with health data,” Obermeyer elaborated.
During the hearing, Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., inquired about the potential ramifications of integrating artificial intelligence into medical practice on the healthcare workforce.
Obermeyer responded, noting that while the function of various roles would evolve, it would not lead to the adverse effects that some have posited.
“History demonstrates that the advent of automation and technology doesn’t outright eliminate jobs; rather, it transforms them,” he stated
“Doctors will need to interact with these tools and learn from them, enhancing the capabilities of nurses, community health workers, and others by equipping them with cutting-edge technology that leverages patient data for improved decision-making.”
In response to Donald’s question regarding the ACA’s regulatory framework and its capacity to foster internal innovation within the healthcare system, Obermeyer was cautious. “While I cannot comment directly on Obamacare, I can address regulation in general,” he remarked.
“Currently, there appears to be insufficient incentive for many health systems to incorporate AI technology. However, the newly announced access program from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services marks a positive step, incentivizing preventive care enhanced by technology,” he continued.
Obermeyer asserted that AI technology has the potential to “drive down costs” and “uncover fraudulent activities, waste, and abuse,” as previously mentioned.
The hearing involved two panels: the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs and the Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services.
Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, directed a question to Chris Jacobs, founder of Juniper Research Group, about the implications of the Affordable Care Act.
“Obamacare was marketed to the American public as a vehicle to lower premiums. I believe President Obama quoted a figure of $2,500. Has this promise materialized?”
Jacobs indicated that premiums for individual health insurance policies under the ACA more than doubled within the first four years of its implementation.
“This surge is largely attributable to the regulatory mandates imposed by the law,” Jacobs explained to the House panel.
“Moreover, premiums have continued to rise significantly, particularly within the exchanges, as compared to employer-sponsored plans.”
Gill followed up, asking, “Would you assert that Obamacare failed to meaningfully curb the growth of premiums?”
Jacobs replied succinctly, “If anything, it did the opposite.”
Source link: Dailysignal.com.
