AI, Policy, and Startups Drive Major Healthcare Transformation
- Oct 17
- 3 min read
The HLTH conference, kicking off this Sunday in Las Vegas, is set to be a crucial platform for dialogue among healthcare leaders during what is described as a turbulent and challenging time. The event, which has grown into a must-attend for many in the industry, will focus on several major themes, reflecting the high stakes of current healthcare policy and technological advancement, all driving the critical conversation around Healthcare Transformation.
Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is positioned as the central theme of HLTH 2025, turning the volume "up to 11". Rich Scarfo, president of HLTH, notes that AI is "showing up everywhere" and is fundamentally changing how things happen in healthcare. The physical space dedicated to AI on the conference floor has approximately doubled since last year, with AI integrated throughout the programming across three running theaters.
The conference has also seen a significant influx of new AI-focused startups. HLTH is striving to be the largest gathering of startups in health care anywhere, with its startup pavilion completely sold out. The event aims to connect these emerging companies with investors and potential partners through programs like "Investor Connect". Startups will compete in a pitch tournament across nine categories, including AI and women's health, vying for a $25,000 grand prize.
Federal policy debates are expected to dominate discussions, particularly surrounding the partial government shutdown that has disrupted programs like telehealth and hospital-at-home. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz is slated to deliver a highly anticipated speech Monday afternoon. Oz is expected to discuss the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program and his view of technology, including AI and telehealth, as key tools for expanding access.
Dr. Oz's recent comments at a Better Medicare Alliance event underscore the difficult balancing act facing regulators in the Trump administration regarding Medicare Advantage (MA) reform. While reaffirming his support for MA, which now covers over half of all Medicare enrollees (roughly 35 million people), Oz emphasized the critical need to improve Medicare Advantage payment accuracy.
A major concern is upcoding, a practice where MA plans inflate payments by coding as many medical conditions as possible, contributing to MA costing the federal government $84 billion more than traditional Medicare this year. Oz supports aggressive auditing to find and claw back overpayments, stressing the importance of trust but verification to prevent the system from being "pervert[ed]". He stated that he is not supportive of coding problems that are identified but do not receive treatment.
Beyond MA, attendees will assess the impact of the Trump administration’s health policies, which have drawn criticism, including pending cuts to Medicaid projected to affect millions of Americans and terminations of National Institute of Health research grants.
Health equity remains a vital element of the HLTH conference, even as efforts to address disparities become polarizing to some. Scarfo notes that the focus remains on ensuring individuals most in need have access to affordable health care. Worryingly, Scarfo observes that the gap is currently widening, putting the people with the least access at risk of having even less. HLTH 2025 aims to recognize the “Heroes & Legends” working behind the scenes to improve patient care during these turbulent times.
🔖 Sources
Comments