The year is 2030, you have been in the doctor’s office for two hours, answering what seems like hundreds of questions on their augmented reality computer. You are excited about meeting your new doctor. Finally, the office staff robot announces, “the computer will see you now.” Your initial reaction is, “What!?!” The private equity firm that owns the practice has apparently just bought the recently-released HAL 35 computers to replace your retiring physician.
How did we get here? In a move that could reshape the landscape of medical practice, Representative David Schweikert has introduced the Healthy Technology Act of 2025 in the United States House of Representatives. This legislation aims to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies to qualify as practitioners eligible to prescribe drugs, under certain conditions.
Key Provisions
H.R. 238, initially introduced on January 7, 2025, proposes that AI systems could be authorized to prescribe medications if: (1) the AI is approved, cleared, or authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and (2) the state in which the AI operates authorizes its use for prescribing medication.
This bill represents a significant step towards integrating AI into core medical practices, potentially transforming how medications are prescribed and managed.
Previous Congressional Efforts
Importantly, this is not the first time that Congress has considered the role of AI in healthcare. In fact, Representative Schweikert introduced similar legislation in the 118th Congress and it died in committee with no discussion.
The Debate: Arguments For and Against AI Prescribing
Arguments in Favor
Proponents of AI prescribing argue that it could: reduce medication errors and improve patient safety, enhance efficiency in healthcare delivery, provide more personalized treatment plans based on vast data analysis, and alleviate physician burnout by automating routine tasks.
Dr. Eric Topol, a prominent voice in medical AI, has noted that AI can potentially “see things that humans will never see,” highlighting its capacity for early disease detection and more accurate diagnoses.
Arguments Against
On the other hand, critics of AI prescribing raise concerns about: the potential loss of human judgment in medical decision-making, data privacy and security risks, increased potential for fraud with manipulated AI writing scripts, the possibility of AI perpetuating or exacerbating existing biases in healthcare, and liability issues in cases of AI-related errors.
AI in Medicine
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare, with applications ranging from diagnostic imaging to personalized treatment plans.
One of the most promising and widely adopted AI applications in medicine is the use of AI-powered medical scribes. These virtual assistants use natural language processing and machine learning to automatically document patient encounters, transcribe conversations, and input structured notes into electronic health records.
The adoption of AI medical scribes has been accelerating, with a recent MGMA Stat poll indicating that AI tools, including scribes, have become the top technological priority for 32% of medical practice leaders in 2025, surpassing EHR usability. This represents a significant increase from just 13% in 2023. Healthcare systems are increasingly implementing AI scribes to reduce administrative burdens, improve documentation accuracy, and allow clinicians to focus more on patient care.
The technology is proving particularly valuable in addressing clinician burnout, enhancing workflow efficiency, and potentially increasing practice revenue by allowing physicians to see more patients.
Looking Ahead
As H.R. 238 moves through the legislative process, it is likely to spark debate among healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public.
The bill’s progress will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for how AI is integrated into core medical practices. While the potential benefits of AI in healthcare are significant, careful consideration must be given to the ethical, legal, and practical implications of allowing AI systems to prescribe medications.
As Dr. Topol notes, “The greatest opportunity offered by AI is not reducing errors or workloads, or even curing cancer: it is the opportunity to restore the precious and time-honored connection and trust—the human touch—between patients and doctors.”
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