AFT Criticizes New Medicare AI Pilot for Denying Patient Care

WASHINGTON—In a recent development, a new Medicare pilot program has been launched to incorporate artificial intelligence in the decision-making process for approving or denying certain medical procedures, such as spine surgeries and steroid injections. This initiative has prompted a response from AFT President Randi Weingarten and AFT Retirees Program and Policy Council Co-Chair Tom Murphy.

Weingarten and Murphy have criticized the program, stating, “The Trump administration is attempting to transform Medicare into the very worst of private insurance.” They expressed concern that instead of simplifying healthcare for older Americans, the program introduces additional obstacles that could obstruct access to essential treatments.

The involvement of private AI companies in this process has been highlighted as a major issue by the AFT leaders, who argue that these companies have a significant financial interest in the denial of care. They stated, “This is wrong, and it’s an insult to retired and disabled Americans who deserve the best of care from doctors and nurses—not from AI companies.”

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) represents a diverse group, including 1.8 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals, school-related personnel, higher education faculty, professional staff, government employees, healthcare workers, and early childhood educators.

For more details, read the full report on the New York Times website.