Source: Fortune
Summary
Sarah London, CEO of Centene, spoke at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit, highlighting how health care innovations often benefit wealthier individuals rather than underserved communities. Centene, a $33 billion company, serves 26 million members, many of whom are among the poorest and sickest. London said AI has the potential to transform health care but is currently being used primarily for revenue generation. She emphasized the need to use AI to empower patients and improve access in rural areas, where medical deserts limit care. Centene is using AI for administrative tasks but aims to develop tools that help patients make health decisions independently.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story.
Centene’s CEO says AI is mostly used for revenue, not care.
Most innovation goes to the wealthy, not the poor.
Centene targets the sickest and poorest, but still faces systemic limits.
AI could change health care, but only if used differently.
Author: Evan Null
Centene’s CEO on Health Care Inequality
Sarah London, CEO of Centene, spoke at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit, emphasizing the disparity in health care innovation. She noted that most venture capital in health care goes to areas with more financial resources, leaving underserved communities behind. Centene, a $33 billion company, serves 26 million members, many of whom are among the poorest and sickest. London said that while AI has the potential to transform health care, it is currently being used for revenue generation rather than improving access.
AI’s Role in Health Care
London said AI is mostly being used in ways that drive more revenue in a fee-for-service system, rather than democratizing care. She argued that AI could enable community health workers to provide care similar to that of emergency room triage in rural areas, which are often medical deserts. This would allow patients to receive care closer to home and take more control of their health decisions.
AI and Patient Agency
London noted that while tools like ChatGPT are not a substitute for doctors, they are already being used by patients to learn more about their health. She joked that her ChatGPT is confused because she asks it about her whole family, including her “hypochondriac husband.” Despite the humor, she stressed that AI can make people more informed about their health, which could reduce medical costs and improve outcomes.
Centene’s AI Strategy
Centene is currently using AI for administrative tasks, such as communication with members. The company aims to develop interactive tools that help patients make their own health decisions. London said that every dollar saved in administrative costs can be redirected toward benefits for members. However, she acknowledged that the full potential of AI in health care is still a work in progress.
Systemic Challenges in Health Care
London’s comments reflect the broader challenges in the U.S. health care system, where innovation often benefits those with the most resources. Centene’s focus on Medicaid and Medicare Advantage highlights its role in serving vulnerable populations. Despite its efforts, the company still faces systemic barriers that prevent it from fully leveraging AI to improve care for the poorest and sickest patients.
