Source: South Florida Hospital News

South Florida Hospital News reports that on December 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a Request for Information (RFI) aimed at harnessing artificial intelligence to lower healthcare costs and improve outcomes. The initiative supports the Trump administration's "Make America Healthy Again" agenda. The RFI invites broad stakeholder feedback on how the Department can utilize its regulatory, reimbursement, and research levers to accelerate the adoption of AI in clinical settings.

HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill emphasized that the strategy is focused on interoperability and ensuring patient data remains secure under HIPAA while facilitating the "data liquidity" necessary to power AI tools. The government is specifically seeking input on how to evolve regulatory frameworks for software and digital health to account for AI-driven tools without compromising patient safety. Furthermore, the RFI explores how reimbursement structures could be simplified to reward the use of technologies that are "deflationary"—meaning they reduce the overall cost of care while maintaining quality.

The announcement marks a shift towards a proactive federal role in shaping the health-AI market. It encourages forward-looking responses that address long-term trends, such as the management of chronic conditions like dementia. The feedback gathered will inform future coordinated activities across all HHS divisions, aiming to embed AI not just in internal operations but throughout the broader American healthcare system.