Doctors Mello and Ibrahim discuss rural healthcare challenges in Pennsylvania

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 in the medical field, particularly for rural and small hospitals.

The session began with a discussion led by Doctor Mello, who highlighted the significant barriers faced by rural hospitals in adopting new technologies. He emphasized that the lack of a stable reimbursement environment for innovative medical devices complicates investment decisions for these facilities. Doctor Mello pointed out that when hospitals are preoccupied with daily operations, they often lack the capacity to focus on integrating cutting-edge innovations into their care practices.

Doctor Ibrahim echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of direct assistance to rural hospitals. He noted that both academic and policy sectors must collaborate to address these challenges. The conversation underscored the critical role of reimbursement policies in facilitating access to advanced medical technologies, particularly radiological tools that have seen broader adoption despite regulatory hurdles.

The committee's discussions highlighted the need for a supportive framework that encourages innovation while ensuring that rural communities can benefit from the latest advancements in health care. The meeting concluded with a call for further exploration of policy solutions that could enhance the integration of AI technologies in health care, particularly in underserved areas.

Overall, the session underscored the urgency of addressing reimbursement issues to enable rural hospitals to invest in and implement innovative health care solutions.