Today on HITshow:







AI becomes non-negotiable and patient access gets a major investment. Today's HITshow Daily spotlights health system executives making AI core strategy, IT leaders navigating 2026 budgets, and Assort Health's $102 million raise. Then in our second half, federal preparedness funding faces cuts, NYU Langone personalizes patient charts, and Color's Google AI-powered breast cancer screening removes referral barriers nationwide.







HOST: RHONDA BROOKS







📍 AI Strategy — Jade Romero







Chartis Group survey shows health system executives view AI as foundational for shifting from reactive to proactive care delivery. Leaders no longer asking if they should invest in AI, but how quickly to scale across operations for population health management and preventive care.







📍 IT Priorities — Peter Betterworth







Black Book Market Research flash survey reveals 2026 IT priorities span tight, flat, and growth budgets with focus on system reliability, staffing, and integration challenges. IT leaders emphasizing vendor risk-sharing partnerships, cloud solutions, and automation to stretch existing staff.







📍 Digital Health Funding — Logan Stokes







Assort Health raises $102 million for nation's first agentic AI platform focused on patient access and experience. Platform uses AI agents for appointment scheduling, insurance verification, and healthcare navigation—validating patient experience as major competitive advantage.







📍 Federal Preparedness — Anika Shah







Federal hospital preparedness program faces proposed reductions, raising concerns among health system leaders. Program critical for pandemic, cyberattack, and mass casualty readiness since 9/11. Health systems must prioritize IT resilience, cybersecurity, and operational continuity with own resources.







📍 Patient Experience — Xavier Banks







NYU Langone Health invites patients to share personal truths in medical charts—hobbies, pets, what matters most—helping clinicians see whole people beyond medical conditions. Initiative reflects shift toward competing on experience as healthcare becomes consumer-driven.







📍 Screening Access — Jalen Cross with Othman Laraki, Color CEO







Color launches Google AI-powered national breast cancer screening program removing referral barriers for all women meeting guidelines. First broadly deployed patient-facing healthcare agent collects information, answers questions, packages for physician review, and coordinates mammogram appointments. Color covers full cancer spectrum: screening/prevention, treatment, survivorship. Takes diagnostics to home for convenient access. Program available at color.com/breast-cancer-screening.







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