Healthcare AI: Trump 2.0 and 2024 HLTH Conference Overview (Part I)

Trump 2.0 and AI in Healthcare

Before we dive into the insights from the 2024 HLTH Conference in Las Vegas, it’s worth considering how AI might evolve under the new Trump 2.0 administration.

In our previous blog, we outlined expectations for this administration based on available information, but we intentionally avoided discussing AI at that time. We are, of course, biased—but with over three decades of healthcare operational experience, we felt it was important to separate the issues.

As of now, we don’t yet know who will lead the healthcare sector under this new administration, but there are indications that we may see the creation of a “health czar” role.

We also mentioned that Elon Musk could play a significant role in Trump 2.0 and impact healthcare policy. Just last night, we received an important update from Reuters:

WASHINGTON, Nov 12 (Reuters) – U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced that Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a newly established Department of Government Efficiency. Musk and Ramaswamy will work to dismantle government bureaucracy, cut wasteful spending, and restructure federal agencies. Their work is expected to be completed by July 4, 2026, with a goal of creating a smaller, more efficient government as a “gift” to the country on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Given Musk’s strong focus on technology, particularly AI, we believe this new initiative will drive significant disruption—especially in healthcare, which is the largest consumer of GDP. The focus will likely be on reducing excess regulations and improving efficiency, which could have wide-reaching implications for healthcare administration, delivery, and the mandates that have historically created unnecessary costs, delayed care, and contributed to provider burnout. As we’ve pointed out before, these mandates often fail to improve care quality or reduce costs.

While AI holds tremendous potential to reshape healthcare, particularly in empowering consumers to manage their wellness, the current focus has largely been on administrative applications. This trend was especially noticeable at the HLTH Conference, which we’ll explore below and in future blogs.

HLTH Conference Highlights

The HLTH Conference, often compared to the HIMSS event, is a leading global platform for healthcare innovation. Known for its cutting-edge discussions, it tends to attract a California-based tech crowd. This year, the event drew around 12,000 attendees, making it a major gathering for healthcare tech discussions. Notable celebrities like First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Halle Berry, and Lenny Kravitz also made appearances.

A key theme at this year’s conference was Artificial Intelligence (AI), reflecting the massive investment flowing into the field. However, while there was plenty of buzz, there was a noticeable gap between the discussions and tangible, actionable outcomes. The AI pavilion was filled with industry heavyweights like GE Health, Nvidia, Microsoft, and consulting firms like Deloitte. Much of the focus seemed to be on selling products rather than solving pressing healthcare challenges.

Epic’s Approach to AI

One of the central topics at the conference was Epic, the global leader in electronic medical records (EMR). Epic has been talking about AI for some time, but, according to my sources, their progress has been slow. However, they recently announced a significant ramp-up in their AI efforts, aiming for a 2025 rollout. Key areas of focus include:

Patient-clinician messaging
Billing use cases
Automated claims denial appeals

One example they shared was using AI to automate patient reminders for screenings, such as colonoscopies, reducing the burden on nurses to make calls. While this is a step forward, it only scratches the surface of AI’s potential. As one colleague remarked, “Why question Epic? They’re the largest EMR company in the world.” My response: Sears was once the largest retailer in the world, and we all know how that story ended.

AI can—and should—be applied to far more impactful areas than just messaging and billing. As we discussed in a recent blog, the U.S. healthcare system is exceptionally good at administration and revenue optimization, but these areas don’t always benefit patients. We believe AI should be leveraged to give consumers a complete, integrated view of their health data—analyzed and summarized in a single location they control. This would empower patients to have more meaningful conversations with their providers and make more informed decisions about their care.

Venture Capital Interest in AI for Healthcare

One of the keynote speakers at the conference, a prominent venture capital investor, underscored the growing interest in AI within healthcare. Many VCs who had pulled back from healthcare investments following the COVID-19 pandemic are now being drawn back by AI’s potential. It’s clear that AI’s promise in healthcare is reigniting enthusiasm even from investors outside the traditional healthcare space.

What’s Next?

There’s more to share from the HLTH Conference, including insights on emerging trends and challenges in healthcare technology. Stay tuned for Part II, where we’ll continue exploring how AI and other innovations are shaping the future of healthcare.

For more on the 2024 HLTH Conference and other insights, check out the following links:

About HealthScoreAI™

Healthcare is at a tipping point, and HealthScoreAI is poised to revolutionize the industry by giving consumers control over their health data and unlocking its immense value. Despite the U.S. healthcare system’s $4.7 trillion in annual spending, outcomes have not significantly improved. Technology has failed to reduce costs or enhance care, while 3,000 exabytes of consumer health data remain trapped in fragmented systems.

HealthScoreAI offers a unique solution: acting as a data surrogate for consumers and providing an unbiased, holistic view of their health. By monetizing de-identified data, HealthScoreAI aims to share revenue with consumers, creating a new $100 billion market opportunity. With near-universal EHR adoption and advances in technology, now is the ideal time to capitalize on the available data, leverage AI effectively, and empower consumers—especially the 13,000 baby boomers who turn 65 every day and enter the Medicare system for the first time.

Our team, with deep expertise in healthcare and technology, holds U.S. patents and a proven track record in scaling companies to IPO.

-Noel J. Guillama, Chairman