The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has provided an update on how it plans to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical care settings. In December 2025, the HHS issued a Request for Information (RFI) on how AI tools can be harnessed to reduce healthcare costs. The HHS has now provided an update on the feedback received and its plans to accelerate the adoption of AI tools in healthcare, while addressing inherent risks.
Accelerating AI Adoption in Clinical Care
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has provided an update on its strategy to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into clinical care settings. This initiative is driven by the significant potential of AI to enhance efficiency, improve patient outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs across the United States. However, the HHS acknowledges that the implementation of AI also carries inherent risks, which need to be carefully managed.
The Request for Information (RFI) and Public Feedback
In December 2025, as part of the "Make America Healthy Again" initiative, the HHS issued a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit broad public input on how AI tools could be leveraged to lower healthcare expenditures. The RFI specifically sought insights on several key areas: how regulatory frameworks for digital health and software should adapt to AI-driven tools while upholding patient safety; methods to simplify and align reimbursement structures to support efficient, cost-reducing AI technologies; and strategies for research and development investments to bolster implementation science and best practices. The HHS reported receiving an extensive response, with over 7,000 comments submitted by various stakeholders, including healthcare providers, researchers, and industry organizations, reflecting wide interest and engagement in the topic.
AI's Role in Healthcare Costs and Associated Risks
The article highlights the escalating cost of healthcare in the U.S., with spending reaching a record $5.7 trillion in 2025, a 7.3% increase, and projections indicating it could exceed 20.5% of the GDP by 2034. AI is seen as a crucial tool for mitigating these rising costs by automating administrative tasks, streamlining patient communications, and assisting individuals in managing their health conditions more effectively. Despite these potential benefits, the integration of AI tools presents significant challenges. These include concerns regarding patient privacy and data security, the potential for inaccurate or biased outputs from AI models, and the risk of model degradation over time, all of which necessitate a strict regulatory framework.
Current HHS Initiatives for AI Implementation
HHS leaders have outlined several proactive steps already underway to facilitate and expedite the responsible implementation of AI. A key area of focus is better coordination among various HHS agencies and providing support for the creation of robust governance structures and guidance on identifying and deploying effective AI tools. The Advanced Research Projects Agency is actively developing AI agents aimed at autonomously managing cardiovascular disease care, demonstrating a direct application in patient treatment. Furthermore, the Administration for Community Living has launched a competition to encourage developers to create AI tools designed to support caregivers in assisting older Americans with disabilities. Concurrently, the FDA is working to provide clearer regulations for AI-enabled medical technologies, proposing new policies for autonomous systems, and developing risk-proportionate regulations for AI tools throughout their lifecycle, while collaborating with other government bodies and international regulators to ensure a cohesive approach.
