• California: OpenAI has released a new healthcare policy blueprint that argues AI can help address barriers to healthcare access, affordability, and administrative burden. The blueprint focuses on three main themes: patient-directed data portability, clinician-supervised AI deployment, and the modernization of healthcare regulation. According to OpenAI, patients should have expanded rights to access and aggregate their health information across different systems, including laboratory records, pharmacy data, and wearable device data. The company also said AI systems should not replace licensed clinicians or present themselves as healthcare professionals, clinicians should be allowed to use AI for administrative or workflow support functions, which could reduce burnout and increase time spent on direct patient care. OpenAI also urged HHS and FDA to clarify regulatory pathways for AI-enabled medical software and to create review processes for higher-risk AI systems that will be used for diagnosis and treatment decisions. In response to the blueprint, experts said that while the proposals sound reasonable, they also disproportionately benefit the company. "They're trying to have their cake and eat it too," said David Blumenthal, a former national coordinator for health IT and a health policy professor at Harvard University. "They're trying to potentially sound like responsible parties in the current conversation while at the same time wanting the markets to stay open for their products." (Diaz, Becker's Health IT, 5/6; Trang, STAT+ [subscription required], 5/6)
• Illinois/Maryland: The Joint Commission and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) are partnering to develop education, training, and advisory services for community health centers nationwide. Aside from these resources, the Joint Commission is also creating a new accreditation program to ensure community health centers deliver the highest quality of care. According to Kyu Rhee, president and CEO of NACHC, the partnership is "a strategic investment in high-quality patient care for the communities we serve" and "[b]y aligning our teams around shared standards and evidence-based practices, we are strengthening the culture of continuous improvement." Separately, Jonathan Perlin, president and CEO of the Joint Commission, said "this focus on community health centers is a deliberate and important part of our strategy to diversify the areas of healthcare we support" and that "[w]e respect NACHC's steadfast commitment to advancing care for all and know they will be a strong partner as we share a common mission." (Gliadkovskaya, Fierce Healthcare, 5/6)
• Maryland: FDA recently added neurosurgical supplies to its medical device shortages list, warning healthcare providers about disruptions in the availability of neurosurgical patties, sponges, and strip devices. In March, Medline issued a recall of its neuro sponges after identifying higher-than-expected endotoxin levels, leading to a shortage. According to the agency, the shortage is expected to last through the year. FDA recommends healthcare providers consider ways to conserve the use of neurosurgical supplies when possible, including reserving the products for intracranial operations and cases where alternatives are unsuitable. The agency also plans to work with manufacturers to ensure supplies are available when medically necessary and to find ways to reduce the impact of the shortage on patients. (Reuter, MedTech Dive, 5/6)

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing healthcare workflows with clinical and operational benefits. Use this guide to evaluate AI solutions, mitigate risks, and harness innovation to align with your organization's goals.