A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model".

Summary

This joint resolution prohibits the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from testing a new Medicare payment model in certain states that involves a prior authorization process and the use of enhanced technology by third-party contractors to determine whether certain claims should be paid. Specifically, the joint resolution nullifies a notice issued by the CMS on July 1, 2025, titled Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model . (On May 12, 2026, the Government Accountability Office issued a letter of opinion stating that this notice constituted an agency rule and is therefore subject to the Congressional Review Act.) The CMS selected six states to participate in this model over a six-year period: New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and Washington. Under the model, contracted companies must process prior authorization requests (i.e., requests for coverage determinations before a service is furnished) for certain services using enhanced technology (e.g., artificial intelligence). Contracted companies are paid based on the share of resulting savings. The CMS aims to test the model's ability to produce accurate results while streamlining the prior authorization process for Medicare claims. The model is based in part on similar processes used for Medicare Advantage claims.  CMS began implementing the model on January 1, 2026. This joint resolution prohibits the CMS from continuing to do so.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 24 June 2026

   Calendars

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 447.

   Source: Calendars

2. 24 June 2026

   Discharge

   Senate Committee on Finance discharged, by petition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 802(c).

   Source: Discharge

3. 24 June 2026

   Committee

   Senate Committee on Finance discharged, by petition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 802(c).

   Source: Committee

4. 24 June 2026

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

   Source: IntroReferral

5. 24 June 2026

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

6. 16 July 2026

   Vote

   Motion to proceed to consideration of measure rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 46 - 50. Record Vote Number: 199.

   Source: Floor

Votes

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

2 official files

• Placed on Calendar Senate

  Placed on Calendar Senate · EN · 24 June 2026

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 24 June 2026

  Open at official source

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Sponsors

• Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] · I · Sponsor
• Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA] · D · Cosponsor
• · ssfi00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model".
• related to → A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model".