January 14, 2026
Mr. Hernández (for himself and Mr. Lieu) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on strategies for the application of artificial intelligence technologies that can be used in the health care industry to improve administrative and clerical work and preserve the privacy and security of patient data, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the AI in Health Care Efficiency and Study Act
.
Sec. 2. Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1)
Administrative and clerical work contribute significantly to health care costs and health care provider burnout.
(2)
Artificial intelligence technologies have the potential to streamline clerical work and record keeping, allowing health care providers to spend more time with patients.
(3)
Protection of patient privacy and compliance with regulations promulgated pursuant to section 264 of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1320d-2 note) are essential in the development and deployment of artificial intelligence tools in health care.
Sec. 3. Study on artificial intelligence in the health care industry
(a) In general
Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this Act referred to as the Secretary
) shall conduct a study on strategies for the application of artificial intelligence technologies that can be used across the health care industry, including health care providers and health plans as defined under section 262 of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1320d) and covered entities and business associates as defined under section 160.103 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, to improve administrative and clerical processes and protect the privacy and security of patient data in programs and activities within the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Human Services.
(b) Contents
In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall evaluate existing strategies and identify additional strategies to apply artificial intelligence technologies to—
(1)
reduce administrative burden and improve efficiency in administrative and clerical tasks, including scheduling, claims processing, documentation, prior authorization workflows, and other operational tasks performed by health care providers and health plans;
(2)
improve the accuracy, timeliness, and interoperability of patient record-keeping, including electronic health record documentation;
(3)
ensure the privacy, security, and integrity of patient data, including compliance with regulations promulgated pursuant to section 264 of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1320d–2 note) and any applicable standards established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology; and
(4)
evaluate how artificial intelligence technologies can be used to detect, prevent, and mitigate cybersecurity attacks on health care providers, including—
(A)
ransomware incidents;
(B)
data breaches; and
(C)
other threats experienced by healthcare providers.
(c) Consultation
In carrying out the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall seek to consult with—
(1)
the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology;
(2)
the Director of the National Institutes of Health;
(3)
the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality;
(4)
the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology for the Department of Health and Human Services;
(5)
the Director of the Office for Civil Rights for the Department of Health and Human Services;
(6)
academic institutions;
(7)
artificial intelligence developers;
(8)
civil rights experts;
(9)
health care providers;
(10)
hospital associations;
(11)
information technology vendors that serve the health care industry;
(12)
nonprofit research institutions; and
(13)
patient privacy experts.
(d) Report
Not later than 6 months after the Secretary completes the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report on the study conducted under subsection (a) that contains—
(1)
the findings and conclusions of the study, including identified risks, opportunities, and implementation challenges;
(2)
an assessment of existing artificial intelligence tools currently in use for administrative or clerical functions in the health care industry, including their effectiveness, limitations, and implications for provider burden;
(3)
recommendations for future research and pilot programs led or supported by the Department of Health and Human Services relating to the use of artificial intelligence in administrative and clerical functions within the health care industry; and
(4)
policy options for Congress and the Secretary to support the development, testing, implementation, and oversight of artificial intelligence tools that enhance administrative efficiency in health care while ensuring strong protections for patient privacy and data security.