North Dakota
North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong signs bill to put checks on AI health care decisions
BISMARCK — A new North Dakota law is expected to put checks on the influence that artificial intelligence and algorithms have on health care decisions, resulting in fewer delays in treatment and medication for patients.
On Wednesday, April 23, Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed
Senate Bill 2280, which aims to reform the “prior authorization” process for patients needing imaging services, medications and surgeries.
Prior authorization is the approval from a patient’s health insurance provider that may be required for a service, treatment or prescription to be covered by their plan, if it’s not an emergency. Prior authorization does not guarantee payment, but makes it more likely their health plan will cover the cost.
The new North Dakota law puts deadlines on insurance plans for those prior authorization decisions and requires any denials to be made by a licensed physician, not by AI or insurance companies.
The bill passed unanimously in the House and nearly so in the Senate, and with Armstrong’s signature, takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Sen. Scott Meyer, R-Grand Forks, the bill’s lead sponsor, said it passed due to proponents and opponents sitting down and working it out.
“Just because it was a vote that led to almost unanimous support, it was still a lot of work to get to that point,” Meyer told The Forum.
Dr. Stefanie Gefroh, president of Essentia Health’s West Market, said North Dakota is one of only a few states without statewide oversight of prior authorization.
“It’s kind of an open book with no guard rails, essentially, around what is an acceptable time frame for a patient to receive clearance to get services,” Gefroh said.
She said some physicians are having to spend up to 14 hours a week trying to justify a medical decision made for a patient.
Meyer said American Medical Association data shows among all of the prior authorization requests in Medicare Advantage plans that were denied and appealed in 2022, more than 83% were overturned.
The result was delays in care, treatment and medications for those patients.
Gefroh said most delays involve higher cost items: MRIs, surgeries, and chemotherapy and immunologic agents.
The law calls for insurance companies to make timely decisions; within seven days for non-urgent requests and 72 hours for urgent ones.
Requests for services that go unmet or unanswered are considered “authorized.”
“That’s why the default to ‘yes’ really is quite extraordinary, because the beautiful part of it is we’re not holding up patient care,” she said.
In addition, any denials for services must be made by licensed physicians experienced in the relevant condition, not by AI or insurance analysts.
Gefroh said insurance companies that don’t adhere to the guidelines will likely have to adjust their internal processes.
“I don’t think they want to be approving by default,” she said.
There was pushback against the bill from representatives of multiple insurance companies, who said it would increase costs.
In the end, the bill prevailed due to support from the North Dakota Hospital Association, and a coalition led by Essentia of 20 health care and patient advocacy organizations representing physicians, pharmacists, hospitals, physical therapists, and advocates for seniors, children, and cancer patients.
“It’s doing the right thing and putting the patients at the center and anytime we can put the highlight on that, I’m pleased,” Gefroh said.
Submitted Photo
U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND, spoke about the connection between North Dakota, the United States and Norway at the 12th annual Norwegian-American Defense Conference held April 17, where he delivered the congressional keynote address.
WASHINGTON – North Dakota’s deep Norwegian roots reflect the broad, long-standing relationship between the United States and Norway, one built on shared values, cultural ties and security cooperation.
U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND, spoke about the connection between the two countries at the 12th annual Norwegian-American Defense Conference held April 17, where he delivered the congressional keynote address.
He described the bond as historic and strategic, but also personal. His great-great-great grandfather, Erik Hjelden, fought in the Norwegian War of Independence prior to Norway adopting a constitution on May 17, 1814, Norway’s Independence Day known as Syttende Mai.
Starting in the 1870s, Scandinavian immigrants from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland settled across what is now North Dakota. Today, one-third of the state’s population is of Norwegian descent, and North Dakota has the highest percentage of citizens with Norwegian ancestry of any state in the nation.
“I love the theme of this year’s conference, ‘From Seabed to Space,’ because I do think the size of the country is not nearly as important as the dynamic that happens when one plus one equals more than two,” Cramer said. “At a time when there’s talent on the factory floor, and talent in the executive suites, and talent in the engineering room, that we may have one or the other, maybe all. But together the dynamic of it is so much greater.”
Cramer emphasized how this foundation now supports a modern defense partnership. He said the United States and Norway are working together on Arctic security, aiming to strengthen interoperability and improve readiness across multi-domain operations. This alliance plays a key role in addressing today’s international security challenges.
Cramer also recognized the U.S.-Norway partnership through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), as well as the history between the two countries.
“When you look at a globe, it illustrates why the Arctic is so important,” continued Cramer. “None of us can protect our silo without protecting our country, without protecting our continent, without protecting our hemisphere, without protecting ourselves. We protect one another by protecting ourselves, and we protect ourselves by protecting one another.”
Throughout his years in Congress, Cramer has been active in the House and Senate Friends of Norway caucuses. He hosted former Norwegian Ambassador to the U.S. Anniken Krutnes when she visited North Dakota in 2024, highlighting the state’s Norwegian heritage, economic strength and its role in advancing U.S.-Norway defense and national security cooperation. During the visit, Krutnes and Cramer emphasized the importance of strong alliances and the longstanding partnership between the two nations during various community stops, including events at the Sons of Norway Kringen Lodge and First Lutheran Church. The visit also focused on defense priorities, with a briefing at the North Dakota National Guard’s 119th Wing regarding the mission of the “Happy Hooligans,” before concluding with a public reception ahead of the Fargo premiere of the Norwegian film Songs of Earth.
Memorial service at North Dakota State Capitol honors fallen officers
Kxnet.com
Welcome to the KXMB/KXMC YouTube channel, your home for all news, sports, and weather in western North Dakota. Subscribe to our channel for the latest information, breaking news, and weather updates.
Submit your photos, videos, and news tips to https://www.kxnet.com/report-it/. You can also message us on Facebook.
Visit KX News: https://www.kxnet.com/
Stream our shows here: https://www.kxnet.com/live-streaming/
Download our mobile app: https://www.kxnet.com/apps/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KXNewsND?sub_confirmation
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kxnews
X: https://twitter.com/kxmb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kx_news/
Get our new KXNews+ app on Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV. Learn more here: https://www.kxnet.com/kx-news-plus/
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Roads in northwest North Dakota are reporting extremely low visibility due to blowing dust and dirt.
The North Dakota Highway Patrol shared photos of an intense dust storm that led to a crash in Williams County on Highway 85 at 1:30 p.m.
-
Photo courtesy of the North Dakota Highway Patrol -
Photo courtesy of the North Dakota Highway Patrol
The NDHP is advising the public to stay home if possible, and if you must travel, slow down, turn on your headlights, increase following distance, and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
KELOLAND News also received photos from our viewers of dust storms in South Dakota.
-
Denver, CO5 minutes agoBroncos will travel 19,129 miles in 2026 (see where that ranks in the NFL)
-
Seattle, WA11 minutes agoSeattle Mariners reveal plan for next turn through rotation
-
San Diego, CA17 minutes agoWhere to watch San Diego Padres vs Seattle Mariners: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 16
-
Milwaukee, WI23 minutes agoHow much money do I need to retire in Wisconsin? Here’s what a new study found
-
Atlanta, GA29 minutes ago
Access to this page has been denied.
-
Minneapolis, MN35 minutes agoMinneapolis mayor, city staff defy community survey, pushback growing on council
-
Indianapolis, IN41 minutes agoIndianapolis 500 qualifying leaderboard: Start time, where to watch, weather forecast
-
Pittsburg, PA47 minutes agoThe Saucy African brings African flavors to Pittsburgh kitchens