Editor,

Please contact your U.S. senators and representatives and tell them to stop the WISer (Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction) program by sponsoring the Resolution introduced by Reps. Pocan and Schkowsky. The resolution demands that the Center for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) withdraw this program, which requires prior authorization for certain procedures recommended by physicians for their patients who are on traditional Medicare. Authorization would be determined by private companies using AI. These companies would be paid on how much money they save Medicare — an outrageous incentive to deny necessary care.

For instance, epidural steroid injections for bulging disks, causing sciatica and intense pain for many of us. This minimally invasive procedure is on the list that this program would affect. I have benefitted from this treatment, which is currently covered by Medicare.

In Medicare Advantage plans, where private insurance profit reigns, PA (prior authorization) is already prevalent, and patients often face delays or denials with coverage decisions based on AI algorithms — not individual medical needs. Profit-driven companies are gobbling up our choices: they prioritize cost-saving over what is best for the patient. In my opinion, Medicare Advantage takes advantage of those seduced by advertising, who don’t read the fine print, whose personal costs will go way up. We pay into Social Security and Medicare all our working lives. I am very worried what Artificial Intelligence will steal from us next.

Thanks to all of our Washington representatives who have already supported this resolution.

Cynthia Kaul

Langley