Seniors Deserve SMARTER Care Act of 2025
Term Dictionary
If you come across any unfamiliar words while reading, these resources can help make everything clearer. Pick whichever one works best for you!
- Congress.gov Legislative Glossary - Comprehensive congressional terms
- NVFC Congressional Terms Glossary - Concise, easy-to-understand definitions
The gist
Blocks the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from launching the WISeR Medicare model, which would require doctors to get pre-approval before performing certain treatments on seniors.
Who wins, who loses
- Wins: Medicare patients needing fast care, doctors who avoid extra paperwork, hospitals.
- Loses: HHS cost-cutters targeting wasteful Medicare spending; companies hired to review prior authorization requests.
What it does
- Prohibits HHS from implementing the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) model published July 1, 2025.
- Blocks any 'substantially similar' future model, closing workaround attempts.
- Stops prior authorization requirements for select Medicare services before they take effect.
- Creates no new programs or funding ā€” a single-purpose ban.
Why should I care?
Grandparents and disabled relatives on Medicare get hit first by these rules. Supporters of WISeR say prior authorization stops wasteful procedures and saves taxpayer dollars. Critics argue it forces sick seniors to wait weeks for surgeries while paperwork gets reviewed. The bill has zero Republican cosponsors, making it highly partisan. Where do you land? Vote below and use "Tell Your Rep" to make sure your voice reaches Congress.