Don't restrict AI if it helps Illinois' health insurance consumers

, sponsored by state Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Highwood, and state Sen. Laura Fine, D-Glenview, seeks to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in health insurance through the proposed Artificial Intelligence Systems Use in Health Insurance Act.While the intent to ensure fairness and transparency is commendable, the bill — as currently written — risks stifling innovation, slowing processes and increasing costs for Illinois residents.AI is revolutionizing the way industries operate, including health insurance, by analyzing immense quantities of data swiftly and precisely. It helps insurers streamline claims processing, speed up prior authorizations, detect fraud, identify gaps in care and even assist human customer service representatives in delivering timely, accurate information.Limiting AI without clear, consistent guidelines could hinder these efficiencies, ultimately harming the very consumers the bill seeks to protect.As president of the Illinois Life & Health Insurance Council, I strongly support thoughtful guardrails around emerging technologies. Human judgment should always guide decisions in adverse care determinations, and AI should enhance — not replace — existing consumer protections.However, HB 35’s current language raises concerns about its potential to overreach. While the bill prioritizes human oversight, it might unintentionally restrict AI usage in areas where it can serve the greater good.AI-powered claims processing systems, for example, are designed to reduce administrative burdens on payers and providers, and improve the patient experience with faster claims processing and prior authorization approvals. AI is also being used to support customer interactions with human customer service representatives, providing prompts and real-time resources to help these representatives address questions and concerns more accurately and efficiently.

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In other words, AI has the potential to address common consumer and provider frustrations with health insurance while attempting to level some of the upwards trajectory of healthcare costs.The path forward lies in collaboration. By crafting balanced legislation, we can protect consumers while enabling insurers to leverage AI responsibly, enhancing health outcomes, expanding care access and improving the overall consumer experience. By reducing administrative costs, AI can help keep insurance affordable, even as healthcare expenses rise.We welcome the opportunity to work with elected leaders and other stakeholders to ensure HB 35 achieves its goals — protecting consumers while allowing AI to enhance the accessibility, affordability and quality of health insurance in Illinois.Laura Minzer, president,, Illinois Life & Health Insurance Council, SpringfieldAI can give assist, but humans must decideWhen an algorithm says no, who can say yes?That’s the life-or-death question behind House Bill 35, now awaiting action in Springfield. The bill would require that any denial of health care coverage made by AI receive meaningful human review. It’s a safeguard that should be common sense and should be the law.This isn’t science fiction. It’s happening right now. Major insurance companies are already using AI tools to decide whether patients qualify for coverage, often without the patient’s knowledge or consent. These systems scan records, make predictions and issue decisions — sometimes without any human involvement and for the benefit of the insurers, not the patients.When care is denied, there’s often no way to trace the decision back to a person or to hold anyone accountable for it. Appeals are frustrating, explanations are vague, and the technology behind the denial is often shielded as proprietary.These systems operate like faceless servers, silently determining what care people get and what they don’t. It’s not just opaque — it’s dangerous.This legislation affirms a critical principle: AI may assist, but humans must decide — especially when it comes to people’s health. Someone with empathy, judgment and real professional experience must be able to step in, review the facts and override the algorithm when it gets it wrong.And when AI gets it wrong, people suffer. A misjudged denial can delay treatment for cancer, deny access to mental health care or cut off coverage for a senior recovering from surgery. These are not abstract risks. They are real harms to real people — and we need laws to treat people as people, not data points.Illinois has already shown itself a leader in AI regulation. The state created a task force to study AI in public service and has passed legislation to prevent discrimination through AI in hiring. HB 35 is the next step — focused squarely on protecting patients in an increasingly automated health care system.California has passed a similar law. Illinois should do the same, so we are not vulnerable to invisible decision-making.We can’t let secret software decide who gets care. Patients deserve better than automated denial.Matthew Kotcher, Lake View Zero-stars for foreign films tariffs Honestly, I think Roger Ebert would be rolling over in his grave if he knew about Donald Trump's tariffs on international cinema.The late Sun-Times critic loved foreign films, and I think he would feel putting tariffs on international films would hurt the cinematic experience and would not allow ordinary Americans to experience other cultures and beliefs.And while I never met Ebert in life, I think he would give Trump's tariffs on international films a thumbs down. Way down.William Cory Labovitch, West Saint Paul, MinnesotaHere’s the dope. Trump isn’t the pope!Donald Trump is furious. They picked an American for pope, but it ain't him. No question the whole thing was rigged!Dan McGuire BensenvilleMore superfan lingo, pope edition What is a Chicago-born pope best at? Da Prayers!Reid Mackin, Rogers Park