# Trump admin’s AI system denies seniors Medicare care amid reports of delays and errors

Digest AI · Policy & Regulation · published 2026-09-25T11:00:28Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/trump-admins-ai-system-denies-seniors-medicare-care-amid-reports-of-de

## Summary

The Trump administration launched **WISeR**, an AI-driven pilot program in January to pre-approve or block Medicare services for seniors. The system, which covers six states, aims to cut fraud but has faced widespread criticism: doctors report long delays, incorrect denials, and patients suffering in pain while awaiting decisions. Federal documents obtained by the Electronic Frontier Foundation reveal provider feedback, including one calling it *“a disgrace to the human race.”* The Government Accountability Office found the program’s setup violated proper procedure in May, yet it continues expanding through 2031 despite lawmakers’ efforts to halt it. A committee vote to force document releases was blocked by Republicans, with Rep. Suzan DelBene accusing the administration of concealing evidence of harm to seniors’ care.

## Key points

- WISeR, an AI system for Medicare prior authorization, launched in January 2026 in six states and runs until 2031
- Doctors and patients report delays, errors, and denied care, with one provider calling it *“a disgrace to the human race”**
- GAO ruled the program’s setup violated proper procedure in May, but expansion continues amid political opposition

## Why it matters

A high-stakes experiment in AI-driven healthcare decisions risks patient safety and trust in Medicare, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in federal AI adoption.

## Sources

1. [Trump admin using AI to deny medical care for seniors in disastrous experiment](https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/09/trump-admin-using-ai-to-deny-medical-care-for-seniors-in-disastrous-experiment) (Ars Technica AI, 2026-09-25)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Trump admin’s AI system denies seniors Medicare care amid reports of delays and errors", 25 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/trump-admins-ai-system-denies-seniors-medicare-care-amid-reports-of-de

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