AANA Effort to Mandate VA "Independent" Nurse-Only Anesthesia Model Fails in Senate

[Carbocation1]

http://www.asahq.org/advocacy/fda-a...t-nurse-only-anesthesia-model-fails-in-senate

07.23.15
On July 22, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee advanced a variety of bills aimed at improving Veterans’ access to health care but the committee responsibly did not include provisions related to "independent" practice of advance practice nurses, including nurse anesthetists.

As part of consideration of the Veterans bills, AANA had lobbied to advance modified provisions of S.297, the Frontlines to Lifelines Act, directing VA to abandon team-based anesthesia and authorize a nurse-only model of anesthesia care. The effort was not successful.

Provisions from S.297, not related to nursing practice, were included in other legislation the Committee passed.

ASA applauds the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee for their efforts to advance legislation which would fill gaps in care within VA and improve access to care for Veterans while not compromising patient safety. ASA is also pleased that efforts to include provisions that would remove physician anesthesiologists from Veterans’ care teams were not successful. Team-based, physician-led anesthesia care within VA continues to receive bipartisan support from Congress, and ASA-supported provisions related to the proposed VHA Nursing Handbook, which would mandate a nurse-only model of practice, continue to advance in Congressional appropriations.

While ASA awaits publication of the VHA Nursing Handbook, leadership and staff will continue tracking legislative developments related to this publication.

Watch the Committee markup.

Request a meeting with your lawmaker during the August district work period to discuss the importance of physician-led care.

Read more about S. 297.

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[Carbocation1]

http://www.aana.com/newsandjournal/...ve-Veterans-Access-to-Quality-Healthcare.aspx
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Commends Senate Veterans Affairs Committee for Working to Improve Veterans Access to Quality Healthcare
For Immediate Release
July 22, 2015 For more information, contact
AANA Public Relations


The following statement was released by AANA President Sharon Pearce, CRNA, MSN:

“I commend the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee for acting today on a bipartisan basis to allow the Veterans Healthcare Administration to promote Veterans access to quality healthcare provided by all advanced practice registered nurses, including Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). By passing S 1203 and its provisions of the ‘Frontlines to Lifelines Act’ (S 297, Kirk, R-IL) without language that would have disrupted the VHA from recognizing CRNAs to their Full Practice Authority, the Committee is letting the VHA do the job it needs to do to protect and advance Veterans’ access to quality healthcare.

“Recent testimony before Congress has underscored that Veteran wait times for healthcare are increasing. As the VHA implements the Choice Act, more Veterans are seeking healthcare through VHA. Letting CRNAs and other APRNs serve to their Full Practice Authority is a common-sense solution to our Veterans' problem of access to care. Supported by Veterans, Veterans organizations, AARP, nursing organizations and many members of Congress, consistent with recommendations of the Institute of Medicine, eliminating costly barriers to care by APRNs is a solution whose time has come.”

About the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists

 

[repititionition]

I'm more confused than when I started. And I'm involved in this stuff.

 

[deleted50478]

How frequently is the nursing handbook revised? Is this issue laid to rest for 5 years or until tomorrow?

 

[aneftp]

I am still want to ask the AANA. If they are always pushing for access to patient care. Than why are they restricting access to patient care by blocking AAs from practicing.

That's the hypocritical nature of directives. Access to care. Yet blocking access to care.

 

[jwk]

I am still want to ask the AANA. If they are always pushing for access to patient care. Than why are they restricting access to patient care by blocking AAs from practicing.

That's the hypocritical nature of directives. Access to care. Yet blocking access to care.

I ask the same question. Quite simply, they're absolutely scared to death of the competition. Otherwise, they would let the free market decide.

Ever notice how the AANA and unions behave almost identically?

 

[Planktonmd]

So what's the final verdict???
Did that BS pass or it did not???

 

[Carbocation1]

So what's the final verdict???
Did that BS pass or it did not???

That's why I posted this. I was confused so I thought you guys might know!

 

[Consigliere]

See? It all depends on the spin.