S.J.Res. 198 · 119th Congress
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".
Where it stands
- Introduced Done · Jun 24, 2026
- Committee Done · Jun 24, 2026
- Passed Senate Not yet
- Passed House Not yet
- President Not yet
- Law Not yet
From the official actions on Congress.gov.
Key points
- What it changes
- A plain-language summary isn't ready yet. The official summary below describes the bill.
- Who it affects
- A plain-language summary isn't ready yet. The official summary below describes the bill.
- What it costs
- No cost estimate yet.
- Where it stands
- Motion to proceed to consideration of measure rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 46 - 50. Record Vote Number: 199. (Jul 16, 2026)
- What happens next
- A committee would usually act on it before the full Senate votes.
Official 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.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in Senate version), via Congress.gov. These are proposed provisions, not enacted law.
Recorded votes
-
On the Motion to Proceed: Motion to Proceed Rejected (46–50)
This vote set how the bill is debated. It is not a vote for or against the bill.Votes by party
How each party voted on roll call 199 Party Yes No Present Did not vote Share voting Yes Democratic 44 0 0 1 Republican 0 50 0 3 Independent 2 0 0 0 Party totals from the official roll call.
Map: how each state voted
Each state is shaded by the share of its senators who voted Yes, out of those who voted Yes or No. Colors show the vote, not party.
U.S. Senate roll call vote (data via Voteview, UCLA) ↗ — includes how every member voted
Vote types come from the official question text. How we label votes
Legislative history
- Jul 16, 2026Motion to proceed to consideration of measure rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 46 - 50. Record Vote Number: 199.
- Jun 24, 2026Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 447.
- Jun 24, 2026Senate Committee on Finance discharged, by petition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 802(c).
- Jun 24, 2026Senate Committee on Finance discharged, by petition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 802(c).
- Jun 24, 2026Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Jun 24, 2026Introduced in Senate