Senate unanimously backs bill forbidding AI‑only denials in health‑care coverage decisions

The Georgia Senate on Feb. 11 unanimously passed Senate Bill 444, approving language to prevent adverse determinations on health-care coverage from being based solely on artificial intelligence systems. The vote on final passage was recorded as 49 yeas and 0 nays.

Sen. [identified on the transcript as] the senator from the 32nd told colleagues the bill "protects patients" and builds on prior measures governing prior authorization. The bill’s text, as read by the secretary, would bar decisions by private review agents that rely only on artificial intelligence or software tools and would require a human clinical peer review before an adverse determination is issued.

Supporters framed SB 444 as an update to ensure clinical oversight remains in the loop as insurers adopt automated tools. "This bill recognizes the important role played by artificial intelligence... However, the bill specifies that there must be a human clinical peer in the process before an adverse determination is made," the sponsor said on the floor.

The measure was recommended by the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor and its committee recommendation was agreed to on the floor. There was no recorded opposition during floor consideration, and the chair ordered the main question and the Senate passed the bill with a unanimous recorded vote.

The Senate action advances SB 444 to the next legislative steps; supporters said the bill is intended to preserve clinician oversight of coverage decisions as insurers increasingly use automated tools.