Congressional Hearing Discusses AI Risks in Healthcare and Mental Health for Patients

The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce convened on September 4, 2025, to discuss the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in advancing American health care. The meeting focused on the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, particularly in the context of patient care and mental health.

The session began with a discussion on the current limitations faced by health care agencies. A committee member expressed concern over the agency's ability to adapt to new technologies, highlighting the need for modernization to address two main issues: the inadequacy of current capabilities and the burdens imposed by existing statutory frameworks. The member emphasized the importance of establishing guardrails to protect patients from biases in AI and potential coverage denials for necessary care.

A significant point of contention arose regarding the Trump administration's prior authorization model, which would allow profit-driven companies to utilize AI for reviewing authorizations in traditional Medicare. The committee member raised alarms about the risk of this model leading to denials of life-saving care, questioning how to ensure that AI algorithms are not misused in this context. The discussion underscored the need for transparency and evidence regarding the impact of AI on prior authorization processes, as current data is lacking.

The conversation then shifted to the intersection of mental health and AI. Dr. Wright from the American Psychological Association (APA) shared insights on the urgency of addressing AI's effects on adolescent well-being. The APA had issued a health advisory calling for robust protections for young people interacting with AI, urging developers to implement safety features and for educators and parents to promote AI literacy. Dr. Wright noted that the rapid development of AI technologies has outpaced research and regulatory measures, leading to concerns about the mental health implications for users, particularly adolescents seeking help through AI platforms.

The committee recognized the need for further exploration of how AI can be effectively integrated into mental health care, while also addressing the existing gaps in the mental health system that drive individuals to seek assistance from AI sources. Dr. Wright indicated that while there is potential for AI to enhance mental health options in the future, the current offerings in the market may not be suitable.

As the meeting progressed, the vice chair of the subcommittee expressed enthusiasm for the ongoing discussions, indicating a commitment to exploring these critical issues further. The committee's deliberations highlighted the dual challenge of harnessing AI's potential while safeguarding patient care and mental health, setting the stage for future legislative efforts aimed at addressing these concerns.