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By U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va.-Sunday, July 26, 2026
Revolutionary ideas and technologies continue to fuel success stories in health care
As a senior member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, I regularly hear perspectives on medical advances that bring newfound hope to patients, families and communities
Telehealth is one such technological breakthrough. By saving patients time, money and peace of mind, many Americans enjoy more convenient and accessible care
While the demand for health care convenience and access soars, so too does the demand for new cures and treatments
The Health Subcommittee has championed policies to help create new classes of treatments for rare diseases
The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act which became law in February strengthens federal efforts to review and approve therapies for rare diseases like pediatric cancer
The ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026 which I reported out of the Health Subcommittee directs millions of dollars to research for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases
Congressional actions like these, among others, to support American patients are meaningful steps to strengthen the future of the American health care landscape
What else bears fruit for our medical future?
I believe much of our health care success will hinge on the blossoming potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)
This Congress, I led a Health Subcommittee hearing to explore ways our American health care system can keep pace with the speed of science through applications of AI and ML
AI presents new opportunities to detect disease sooner, deploy improved medical guidance and deliver more precise care to patients. The sooner that the patient receives care, the lesser the risk of severe illness or death that the patient faces
Not only does this approach prevent delays in care; it also helps prevent future cost increases that impact patients, government programs and health care providers
In addition to benefitting our health care system, a boost in early detection efforts will ease the burdens on health care providers!
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Medical device companies analyze how their products can better administer care. Insurance companies process claims to help patients access more timely care. Doctors and health care professionals streamline operations to complete required medical paperwork at a faster clip
The recently passed Virginia State budget reflects the building momentum for AI in health care. The legislative blueprint directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to strengthen call center operations through the application of AI technologies
Even with the potential to achieve an abundance of favorable health outcomes through AI, we must be cautious about the current challenges facing AI application
AI is not perfect. A blanketed embrace of AI technologies without appropriate guardrails would be irresponsible policy and grounded in fantasy
What reality shows is unlocking AI’s full potential in health care requires human supervision. We need responsible administration and active oversight of AI tools, while also placing an emphasis on safety. A human component working with these technologies ensures safer success and allows the patient-physician relationship to truly thrive
Where patients rely on AI chatbots for mental health re
Where a patient request for treatment is denied coverage, a human must oversee that decision
Congress has a moral obligation to ensure these AI tools are used to assist not replace the clinical workforce of today
Therefore, a balanced embrace of AI applications can lower health care costs, save finite taxpayer dollars and provide breakthrough treatments to American patients
Taken together, AI promises a new wave of success stories. Human judgment will preserve these stories for generations to come
As the representative for Virginia’s Ninth Congressional District, Rep. Morgan Griffith serves as chairman of the Subcommittee on Health for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce
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