Hall Wants AI Restrictions On Hospital Pricing, Insurance Claim Denials
(Source: MIRS.news, Published 10/07/2026) (STERLING HEIGHTS) – House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) wants to prohibit hospitals from using artificial intelligence to maximize service prices and health insurers from using it to deny claims.
Hall spoke this afternoon to the Associated Builders and Contractors of Southeastern Michigan, campaigning for Rep. Ron Robinson (R-Utica) in the competitive 58th House district covering Utica and parts of Sterling Heights, Warren and Shelby Township.
When asked to name one change he wants to deliver on next year, presuming Republicans retain their majority, Hall mentioned healthcare.
"We're hearing from small businesses how that cost keeps going up, and it's really tough because there are so many special interests in healthcare, and they all point the finger at each other," Hall said. "I think we need bold leaders who are going to come in and say, 'Look, everybody's going to have to take a haircut here. Everyone is going to have to give a little bit.'"
Hall described wanting state law to prohibit hospitals from using AI to calculate the maximum price tag on services, as well as stopping health insurers from using AI to deny claims.
Hall took swings at Robinson's opponent, Shelby Township community organizer Katrina Manetta.
In the personal finance report Manetta submitted to the state in May, she disclosed being unemployed and receiving payments from the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency. Manetta's background is in community organizing. She received the Bayard Rustin Strategist Award at Michigan United's 2026 MLK Celebration, an award that recognizes organizers who “build people power and advance justice in our communities.”
"I don't say her name," Robinson said when Hall asked him what Manetta's name was.
Hall criticized Manetta as a "professional protester," going to local government meetings to "cause a stir."
House Democratic Fund spokesperson Amber Gantt said in response, "All the name-calling in the world won’t change the fact that Matt Hall and Ron Robinson have done nothing but bow down to Trump and co-sign his disastrous economic policies at the expense of Michigan families.
"Unlike Ron Robinson, Katrina Manetta actually gives a damn about Macomb County and has rallied hundreds of people to fight for their community. Republicans must be pretty worried about losing this seat if they’re pouring money into protecting Robinson and resorting to personal attacks because they can’t defend his record.”
According to TV spending disclosures reported by AdImpact, Robinson and his Republican allies have spent or reserved $319,000 in TV and digital ad time. Manetta and her Democratic allies have spent nothing.
As for Robinson, if reelected this fall, he would want his second-term legacy to be centered on property tax relief.
Robinson told MIRS that any property tax relief proposal would require negotiations over how to replace funding for fire, police and public works departments.”
As for the subject of healthcare, the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) reported at the end of September that two-thirds of its surveyed members want the state's next governor and Legislature to make containing employee healthcare costs a top priority.
This week's episode of the MIRS Monday Podcast featured Resch Strategies Vice President Anna Heaton, who does public relations for SBAM. With 84% of surveyed employers saying that premiums have jumped by up to $2,000 per worker year-over-year, Heaton said the "back of the napkin math" shows a small business owner with 25 employees facing up to $50,000 in additional annual costs.
"What could you do otherwise as a small business owner and an employer with that $50,000? You can hire a couple of part-time employees. You could give raises that would combat inflation for your current employees. You can buy new equipment," Heaton said. "This is really impacting growth."
Additionally, this afternoon, the Speaker accused the Democratic-controlled Senate of not wanting to take up the issue of "AI price-gouging" in retail because in the House, the effort is being led by Rep. Steve Frisbie (R-Battle Creek), a swing-district Republican who unseated incumbent Rep. Jim Haadsma 50.1% to 49.9% in 2024.
However, Senate Democrats similarly have worked on bills to ban AI surveillance on consumer habits from being used to determine grocery and food prices.
"I saw something today about McDonald's using AI to determine their prices, right? So we're trying to end this AI price gouging and the Democrats are sitting on the bills because they don't like the sponsors," Hall said. "That's been a challenge this whole term, and it's all about winning elections for them."
