CWRU Students Influence Ohio Legislation on AI Use in Healthcare
Artificial intelligence offers promising benefits for healthcare, including more accurate diagnoses, personalized treatments, and streamlined administrative processes. However, as AI technologies develop, they bring challenges and uncertainties that require careful attention.
Two Case Western Reserve University pre-law students, Sabrina Soto and Paisley Tuel, explored these challenges by investigating how AI is used by healthcare organizations in Ohio and what regulations govern its application both in Ohio and other states. Their research culminated in a detailed 50-page paper published in the inaugural CWRU Undergraduate Law Journal, which they co-founded and co-edited.
With guidance from their advisor, Professor Sharona Hoffman, they took their work beyond academia by engaging with Ohio legislators State Representatives C. Allison Russo and Christine Cockley. Their goal: to help shape early policy around AI in healthcare.
Examining AI’s Role in Ohio Healthcare
Soto and Tuel reviewed real-world examples of AI implementations in Ohio’s healthcare sector. They also analyzed relevant legal cases and policies nationwide. Their research highlighted several incidents where AI-driven tools lacked sufficient oversight, leading to significant consequences.
One ongoing lawsuit involves a health insurer accused of ignoring a high error rate in its AI algorithm, which allegedly resulted in denied claims and even premature deaths. Another case from Texas involves allegations that a company misrepresented the accuracy of an AI diagnostic tool. In Ohio, AI technologies have been used to transcribe physician-patient conversations and improve electronic health record documentation.
These applications fall under Ohio’s IT-17 policy, which guides AI use in statewide solutions but does not directly address healthcare-specific AI concerns.
Policy Recommendations for Safer AI in Healthcare
Based on their findings, Soto and Tuel proposed seven key recommendations aimed at improving AI regulation in Ohio’s healthcare system. Their focus is on stronger oversight, better training, and enhanced patient protections. The recommendations include:
- Creating the Ohio AI Healthcare Regulatory Commission;
- Implementing a rigorous AI certification process;
- Strengthening AI-specific data privacy and security laws;
- Mandating fairness and bias mitigation in AI algorithms;
- Establishing an AI-focused medical malpractice liability framework;
- Encouraging responsible AI innovation through incentives;
- Enforcing strict standards for AI disclosure and explainability.
They also developed a three-year plan to guide the state’s adoption of these measures. After presenting their work to Ohio legislators in February, Soto and Tuel were invited to assist with drafting legislation. Their research has also reached lawmakers in Pennsylvania, extending its influence beyond Ohio.
“As an undergraduate, especially a sophomore, you don’t expect a research project to have this kind of real-world impact,” said Tuel. “We thought it was just a way to get more people interested in policy and law.”
Healthcare professionals interested in how AI policy is developing can read their full article in the CWRU Undergraduate Law Journal.
For those working in healthcare who want to better understand AI tools and their ethical, legal, and practical implications, exploring specialized training can be valuable. Courses that cover AI certification, data privacy, and AI governance are particularly relevant. More information on such opportunities can be found at Complete AI Training.
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