Only the left has signed this so far (Bill Ranking)
S.J.Res. 198 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)
22 members · Left 20 · Center 2 · Right 0 (Bill Ranking)
| Sponsor | Sen. Wyden, Ron (D-OR) (Introduced 06/24/2026) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Voting Record | Lean left · DW-NOMINATE -0.34 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking) |
| Support |
LLLCLRR support across the spectrum: 22 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once |
| Committees | Senate - Finance Committee; Senate - Finance Committee |
| Latest Action | 07/16/2026 Motion to proceed to consideration of measure rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 46 - 50. Record Vote Number: 199. |
| Roll Call Votes | 1 |
| Source | view on congress.gov → |
Introduced in Senate (06/24/2026)
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.
119 SJ 198 PCS: 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”. U.S. Senate 2026-06-24 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IIACalendar No. 447119th CONGRESS2d SessionS. J. RES. 198IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 24, 2026Mr. Wyden (for himself, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Blumenthal, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Booker, Mr. Markey, Ms. Duckworth, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Kim, Mr. Sanders, Ms. Warren, Mr. Warner, Ms. Smith, Mr. Luján, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Durbin, and Mrs. Shaheen) introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceJune 24, 2026Committee discharged, by petition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 802(c), and placed on the calendarJOINT RESOLUTIONProviding 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.That Congress disapproves 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 (published on July 1, 2025, and a letter of opinion from the Government Accountability Office dated May 12, 2026, printed in the Congressional Record on May 14, 2026, on pages S2299–S2302, concluding that such Notice is a rule under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code), and such rule shall have no force or effect.June 24, 2026Committee discharged, by petition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 802(c), and placed on the calendar
The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.
| Date | Chamber | All Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 06/24/2026 | Library of Congress | Introduced in Senate |
| 06/24/2026 | Senate | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. |
| 06/24/2026 | Library of Congress | Senate Committee on Finance discharged, by petition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 802(c). |
| 06/24/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on Finance discharged, by petition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 802(c). |
| 06/24/2026 | Senate | Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 447. |
| 07/16/2026 | Senate | Motion to proceed to consideration of measure rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 46 - 50. Record Vote Number: 199. |
| Title Type | Title |
|---|---|
| Display Title | 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". |
| Official Title as Introduced | 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". |
There are no amendments to this bill.
* = Original cosponsor
| Committee | Activity |
|---|---|
| Senate - Finance Committee | 06/24/2026 Discharged From |
| Senate - Finance Committee | 06/24/2026 Referred To |
Policy Area: Health
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