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A group of House Democrats are seeking to use Congress’ appropriations process to block implementation of a federal government initiative that they say could be used to deny coverage for those enrolled in traditional Medicare.

They are objecting to a Trump administration pilot program that is expanding the use of prior authorization in Medicare to ensure certain services and treatments being requested are medically necessary. The model implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also uses artificial intelligence and large language models to streamline review processes.

It’s a sign that House Democrats are gearing up for accountability of the Trump administration on health care if they should retake the chamber after November’s midterm elections.

“While prior authorization is often described as a cost-containment strategy, in practice it increases provider burden, takes time away from patients, limits patients’ access to life-saving care, and creates unnecessary administrative burden,” wrote the group, led by Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), to House Appropriations Committee leaders Friday.

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Prior authorization historically was used only on a limited basis in the traditional Medicare program, in contrast to Medicare Advantage, where the coverage is provided through private insurers, the lawmakers wrote.

The pilot program launched earlier this year in in six states and it is slated to run for six years.

DelBene and her colleagues are asking Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) and Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), who head the House health appropriations panel, to include language blocking the model’s use in the next appropriations bill by disallowing any funds from going towards its implementation.