AI In Hospitals, US Healthcare Loses Trust, & Challenges for Employer Plans

Hey all,

I hope you had a great weekend. I’ll be sending out the ZorroRX rundown on PST the rest of this week as I will be in San Francisco for the JP Morgan Health conference. Enjoy the rundown!

Jacob Brody (Co-Founder & CEO, ZorroRX)

(Health Affairs) AI Oversight at U.S. Hospitals

A recent study in Health Affairs offers the first detailed look at AI oversight in U.S. hospitals, revealing significant gaps in evaluating algorithmic bias and disparities in AI adoption. Based on data from 2,425 hospitals, two-thirds reported using AI predictive models, mostly for inpatient trajectory predictions and high-risk outpatient identification. However, only 44% of AI-using hospitals evaluated their models for bias, highlighting a critical blindspot, particularly in hospitals relying on “off-the-shelf” algorithms rather than tailored systems. Full Article

(Gallup) U.S. Healthcare Quality Ratings Reach 24-Year Low

Gallup’s latest poll reveals that only 44% of Americans rate U.S. healthcare quality as excellent or good, the lowest since 2001. This decline reflects growing concerns about healthcare coverage and costs, with just 28% viewing coverage positively and only 19% satisfied with costs. Despite these national perceptions, 71% rate their personal healthcare quality positively. Full Article.

(Employer Coverage) Challenges and Opportunities for Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance in 2025

Employer-sponsored health plans face significant regulatory uncertainties in 2025, with potential Supreme Court rulings on ACA requirements and shifts in enforcement by the Labor Department. However, reduced exchange subsidies and Medicaid funding may drive higher enrollment in employer plans. Employers are advised to proactively waive cost-sharing for preventive care, conduct regular competitive bidding for health plan vendors, and perform periodic audits to meet fiduciary responsibilities and optimize plan performance. These steps can mitigate risks and adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape. Full Article.