The Assembly Joint Hearing of the Health Committee and the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee convened on May 28, 2025, to discuss the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in California's healthcare system. The meeting featured key stakeholders who emphasized the potential benefits and risks associated with AI technologies.

Cathy Sunderland McDonald from the California Penn Ethnic Health Network highlighted the promise of AI to enhance healthcare delivery and data analysis, particularly in programs like Medi-Cal. However, she raised concerns about the lack of formal regulatory approval from bodies like the FDA, noting that AI could exacerbate existing biases and disparities in healthcare. McDonald advocated for a centralized AI governance structure and a formal approval process in California to ensure equitable implementation. She also proposed the establishment of a patient AI bill of rights, which would include informed notifications for consumers and a centralized complaint system for addressing issues that arise.

Ryan Spencer, representing OCHIN's California Collaborative, echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of a modernized health IT infrastructure to facilitate the safe and equitable adoption of AI. He pointed out that community-based organizations, which serve millions of patients, require workforce training and streamlined regulations to effectively integrate AI tools into their services. Spencer urged the state to invest in the necessary infrastructure and policies to empower these organizations in California's AI-driven healthcare future.

The discussions underscored a collective recognition of AI's transformative potential in healthcare, alongside a commitment to addressing the associated risks and ensuring that underserved communities are not left behind. The meeting concluded with a call for continued dialogue and action to create a framework that supports equitable and ethical AI deployment in California's healthcare system.