July 16, 2026
Retiree Organization Condemns Senate Failure to End the “WISeR” Medicare AI Pilot Program
The following statement was issued by Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, following the Senate vote on the Congressional Review Act resolution to overturn the WISeR pilot program. Earlier this week, the Alliance sent a letter to every senator urging a Yes vote to end the program.
“For generations, American retirees have relied on traditional Medicare for guaranteed, affordable health care. Today, 50 members of the U.S. Senate failed to protect that promise and voted to allow for-profit AI corporations to come between doctors and patients. The guaranteed health care Americans have earned through a lifetime of work should never depend on whether an algorithm agrees with their doctor.
Since the WISeR pilot program began in January, Medicare beneficiaries and medical providers in the six affected states have reported delayed treatments, unexplained denials, and approval decisions that can take weeks. For many older Americans, these delays are more than an inconvenience—they can worsen health outcomes and jeopardize their independence. While artificial intelligence can be a valuable tool in health care, it should never replace the medical judgment of physicians or stand between patients and the care they need.
We are deeply disappointed that the Senate failed to act, but we thank the senators who stood with older Americans by voting to end this harmful experiment.
According to a national survey of voters aged 60 and older commissioned by the Alliance in April, 70% oppose using artificial intelligence to make treatment-eligibility decisions.
Today’s vote does not end this fight. We will continue working with lawmakers in both parties until Congress puts patients ahead of corporate contractors and permanently ends the WISeR pilot before it becomes a nationwide barrier to care.”
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Contact: Lisa Cutler, [email protected]
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