Source: STAT News

STAT News reports on the ongoing class action lawsuit against UnitedHealth over the use of AI algorithms to deny patient care. Plaintiffs allege that the company’s AI systems were used to systematically reject medically necessary treatments, prioritizing cost-cutting over patient well-being. The lawsuit argues that this practice violates healthcare laws and patient rights.

The case highlights critical legal and ethical questions about the use of AI in healthcare decision-making, including accountability for automated systems and the transparency of algorithmic processes. Medical experts and legal scholars express concerns that the lack of human oversight in these decisions undermines patient care and could set dangerous precedents for the healthcare industry.

The court’s upcoming decision could have far-reaching implications for how AI is used in healthcare, potentially prompting stricter regulations on automated medical decision-making and increased legal protections for patients.