I’ve just become a Dad. For me, healthcare innovation isn’t just a professional interest anymore. Now, it’s personal. Every policy debate about new technology is now a question of whether my daughter will grow up in a system that can keep her, and millions of other Californians and Americans, healthy and safe.
At Dogtown Media, the mobile technology studio I co-founded, we’ve developed AI-powered tools that help physicians respond in emergencies and deliver critical maternal and newborn health services in underserved communities. These aren’t futuristic ideas — they’re saving lives today by speeding diagnoses, cutting red tape, and connecting patients with care they might otherwise never receive.
That’s why during the last session of the California legislature, Dogtown joined a successful Connected Health Initiative coalition action urging lawmakers to withdraw a damaging amendment to Senate Bill 503 that would have required one-size-fits-all third-party audits before launching or updating an AI-powered healthcare service. The amendment would have had a debilitating effect on innovation and prevented new healthcare solutions from reaching the patients that need them the most. I am proud that we were able to secure the withdrawal of the amendment.
However, the threat still remains. When lawmakers return to Sacramento in January, the debate will continue. It is critical that policymakers fully consider the potential negative consequences this and other bills may have on AI-enabled health tools and innovation in the state.
Too often, well-intentioned health tech legislation like this bill by Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson of San Diego has unintentional negative consequences that slow innovation, raise costs, and limit access to life-saving care, especially in the very communities it claims to help.
We don’t have to choose between equity and innovation. In 2026, California can preserve SB 503’s goals while creating a realistic, workable framework. This can be done by aligning policy with international AI standards like ISO/IEC 42001, which specify requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an AI management system within organizations. The legislation should also emphasize post-deployment monitoring, where real-world conditions reveal the most meaningful biased data.
Lastly, as we often see in regulation around technology, it’s essential that policy scales regulatory requirements to match the risk level of the tool. We should not treat wearable tech, such as Fitbit, the same way we treat untested diagnostic tools.
As a father, I want my daughter to grow up with access to healthcare that delivers the best possible care quickly, safely, and fairly. As the CEO of a small California-based technology company, I know this requires policy that balances innovation with accountability. It also means ensuring the AI tools we’ve helped build for critical maternal care, newborn health monitoring, chronic condition management, and emergency response provide cutting-edge care for the patients who need them most.
AI in healthcare is not a distant future. It’s here, it’s helping, and it’s already saving lives. But that will only continue to happen if the right tools can reach the right patients without bloated and unnecessary hurdles. California has the chance to continue to lead the nation in both tech and healthcare by crafting policy that champions both equity and innovation. Let’s make sure we get it right, not just for future generations, but for every Californian who deserves better, faster, more equitable care today.
Marc Fischer is co-founder and CEO of Dogtown Media, a mobile technology studio headquartered in Venice Beach. Dogtown Media is a steering committee member of the Connected Health Initiative, the leading multistakeholder coalition for harnessing the power of technology to improve patent engagement and health outcomes
