DelBene, Landsman Lead Fight to Overturn AI Program Delaying, Denying Care for Seniors

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Greg Landsman (OH-01) introduced a Congressional Review Act resolution to end a controversial pilot program that is using AI to delay and deny health care for seniors on traditional Medicare.

In January 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) model in six states: Washington, Ohio, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas, and Arizona. The program contracts with private companies to use AI to review claims for certain procedures and pays those companies based on how many claims they deny.

Earlier this month, the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) determined that WISeR is subject to the Congressional Review Act, meaning that before the policy can take effect, CMS must submit it to both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Given this determination, DelBene and Landsman introduced this Congressional Review Act resolution, allowing Congress to review and disapprove of WISeR. If the CRA resolution passes both chambers, the WISeR program would be stopped.

"WISeR is a dangerous program that is denying care to Medicare patients so companies can profit. In just the first few months of the program, we've seen stories from across Washington state of seniors suffering while conditions worsen as they await approval for treatments their doctor prescribed. This program implements the same flawed prior authorization scheme from Medicare Advantage into traditional Medicare. If scaled up, it would be a back door to privatizing Medicare. It is causing needless delays, worsening conditions, and costing us more in the long-run. Congress needs to step up and put an end to WISeR," said DelBene.

"Instead of letting doctors decide what's best for their patients, the Trump administration is experimenting with a dangerous AI model that's delaying and even denying critical care for seniors. Congress needs to act," said Landsman.

DelBene also introduced a standalone bill to end the program. She has also urged Congress to block it in the annual government funding process.

The text of the resolution can be found here.