Murphy Co-Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent AI Increasing Prior Authorization Denials

July 16, 2026 Press Release Washington, D.C. — Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., alongside Congressman Herb Conaway Jr., M.D., introduced the Protecting Patients from Automated Denials Act, bipartisan legislation to establish safeguards on the use of artificial intelligence in Medicare Advantage prior authorization decisions. "Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing healthcare at the speed of light, but we must protect the physician-in-the-loop," said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. "While advancements in diagnostics, research, and administrative work will advance medicine in incredible ways, the value of a trained physician and sentient influence cannot be eroded. This is especially important for prior authorization decisions - patients are not merely numbers on a spreadsheet. We cannot allow greedy health insurers to utilize AI to deny healthcare to those in need. I am proud to lead on this issue by establishing sensible guardrails that ensure the proliferation of AI in the field of medicine does no harm." Background The Protecting Patients from Automated Denials Act requires Medicare Advantage plans to provide physicians' attestations to requesting providers. Allow direct communications with the reviewing physician. Require the disclosure of AI usage. Plans must retain all AI-related denial records for at least ten years and submit detailed reports to the Department of Health and Human Services every 90 days.