Technology platforms are lobbying for deregulation of the healthcare gig work industry, according to a report published Tuesday by the AI Now Institute. The report, titled "Uber for Nursing Part II: How Gig Nursing Companies Are Lobbying States to Deregulate Healthcare," examines how billion-dollar tech companies are pushing to expand gig work arrangements in the healthcare sector.

The study focuses on the growing use of artificial intelligence technology to staff hospitals and other healthcare facilities through app-based platforms that connect healthcare workers with employers on a temporary basis. These platforms operate similarly to ride-sharing services like Uber, allowing healthcare professionals to pick up shifts through mobile applications.

According to the report, these tech platforms are actively lobbying state governments to reduce regulations that currently govern healthcare staffing. The companies argue that deregulation would increase flexibility in healthcare worker deployment and potentially address staffing shortages in the sector.

The AI Now Institute warns that the expansion of gig work models in healthcare could come at the expense of worker rights, protections, and compensation. The report suggests that current regulatory frameworks provide important safeguards for healthcare workers that could be weakened through deregulation efforts.

The healthcare industry has faced significant staffing challenges in recent years, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led to increased interest in alternative staffing models, including technology-enabled gig work platforms that promise more flexible arrangements for both healthcare facilities and workers.