Headed into the final couple of weeks of this year’s state legislative session, CHA is focused on a key piece of legislation related to artificial intelligence (AI).
Assembly Bill (AB) 2575 (Ortega, D-Hayward) is troubling in that it would undermine patient safety systems, increase cost, and reduce patient access to beneficial technology. Specifically, the legislation would essentially create a protected class of health care workers, insulating them from review or remedial action if they overrode a decision that was supported by AI.
That’s the wrong approach for new tools that are being woven into every facet of health care with many layers of safeguards and significant clinician input and oversight already in place. In fact, when AI tools are used, clinician accountability and expertise are preserved at every stage of care, and California’s invaluable health care professionals retain full oversight and responsibility.
This bill is now headed to the Senate floor (our coalition alert for state senators to vote ‘no’ is here). We need every hospital leader to contact their state senator as soon as possible and encourage them to vote no on this bill. CHA has developed advocacy materials that can be used when talking about the bill; see our Issue Brief, Key Messages, and Infographic.
As we do each year, we will provide an update on these and other key legislative issues shortly after the session ends on Aug. 31. Later on, we will share a more comprehensive report on health care-related bills that were passed and steps your organization should take in response.
