WASHINGTON — December 19, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a new Request for Information (RFI) aimed at accelerating the use of artificial intelligence in clinical care as part of a broader effort to reduce health care costs and improve outcomes for patients nationwide.
The initiative aligns with President Donald Trump’s push for American leadership in artificial intelligence and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. Through the RFI, HHS is seeking feedback from health care providers, technology developers, researchers, patients, and other stakeholders on how AI can be more effectively adopted across the U.S. health care system.
According to HHS, the department plans to use its regulatory authority, reimbursement policies, and research and development investments to support responsible AI adoption in clinical settings. Officials say the goal is to reduce administrative burdens on providers, improve the quality and efficiency of care, enhance patient and caregiver experiences, and ultimately lower costs for both consumers and government programs.
“Artificial intelligence will be a transformative force for good across America,” said HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill. “We want to hear from those on the front lines. Our efforts to accelerate AI adoption must be guided by the real needs and experiences of those developing these tools and delivering care.”
The HHS Office of the Deputy Secretary, which oversees the department’s AI strategy, is leading the effort and encouraging broad public participation. The department is particularly interested in how AI can be safely integrated into clinical care while maintaining strong patient protections.
Data privacy and interoperability are also central to the initiative. HHS emphasized that any expansion of AI in health care must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and ensure patient data remains secure.
“Artificial intelligence is powered by data,” said Dr. Thomas Keane, Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy and National Coordinator for Health IT. “Data liquidity and the trust patients and providers have in how data moves are essential. Our interoperability efforts are designed to give patients real access to their data while enabling AI to strengthen care.”
HHS is seeking input on several key areas, including how digital health and software regulations should evolve to address AI-driven tools without compromising patient safety, how reimbursement structures can better support efficient and cost-saving technologies, and how research investments can improve implementation and best practices—especially in complex or high-acuity clinical settings.
The department is also encouraging forward-looking responses that consider emerging and growing health challenges, such as dementia and frailty, and how AI could help address them in the coming years.
Officials said feedback received through the RFI will help guide coordinated actions across all HHS divisions and complement the department’s existing internal AI strategy, which focuses on embedding AI across HHS operations.
