Guthrie Testifies on Responsible AI Use in Healthcare Before Pennsylvania House Committees

March 25, 2026
Robert Kruklitis, MD, PhD, MBA testifies to the Pennsylvania House Health and Communications and Technology Committees

The Guthrie Clinic testified today before the Pennsylvania House Health and Communications and Technology Committees on the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, outlining policy considerations for quality, safety and workforce sustainability.

Robert Kruklitis, MD, PhD, MBA, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Guthrie, shared the health system’s perspective as a rural, integrated provider actively deploying AI-enabled tools in clinical care. His testimony focused on how thoughtful policy can enable innovation while establishing appropriate guardrails for safety, transparency and accountability.

“Artificial intelligence should strengthen healthcare, not distance it from the people it serves,” Dr. Kruklitis said. “When implemented responsibly, AI can help clinicians focus on patients, improve consistency and safety, and expand access to care, especially in rural communities facing workforce shortages and geographic barriers.”

During his testimony, Dr. Kruklitis emphasized that AI tools should support, not replace, clinical judgment, and that strong governance frameworks are essential as adoption accelerates across the healthcare system. He also underscored the importance of aligning policy, reimbursement and regulatory approaches so providers can innovate without compromising trust or patient safety.

Guthrie’s testimony concluded with two policy recommendations for Pennsylvania lawmakers:

  • Establish and support state-backed pilot programs that allow hospitals, particularly rural and safety-net providers, to safely test, evaluate, and integrate AI technologies into care delivery, measure impact, train staff, and identify best practices that can be scaled statewide.
  • Consider a coordinated, cross-sector approach to AI adoption, modeled on initiatives in other states, that brings together healthcare providers, policymakers, and technology experts to promote safe, effective, and equitable use of AI across the healthcare system.

“As lawmakers consider how best to approach AI in healthcare, it’s critical that rural systems are part of the conversation,” said Dr. Kruklitis. “Policy decisions made today will shape access, quality, and sustainability of care for years to come.”

Guthrie’s testimony reflects its broader commitment to advancing innovative, patient-centered models of care that improve quality, safety and access across Pennsylvania and New York.