AANA Recommends SAMHSA Allow CRNAs to be Medical Directors

In a letter to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the AANA recommended that CRNAs be included as providers who can be directors of Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP). Currently, only physicians can serve in this role. This letter was in response to the agency’s proposed rule on Medications for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in OTPs. […]

Open Comment Period for Proposed New Business Meeting Rules of Order

February 27 – March 10, 2023   The AANA Board of Directors has authorized an interactive hybrid meeting for the August 19, 2023, AANA Business Meeting (BUSM). This will allow full participation in the meeting by eligible voting members both in the business meeting room and participating online.   Because current BUSM Standing Rules do […]

Black History Month Reminds Us to Celebrate Mentors

In an editorial for the website City & State Florida in honor of Black History Month, Sabrina Nelson-Winters, DNP, CRNA, APRN, encourages young Black students to explore careers in healthcare, discusses the value of mentorship, and celebrates the history of Black healthcare professionals such as CRNA legend Goldie D. Brangman, CRNA, the first Black president […]

CRNAdvocacy Alert: Ask your U.S. Representative to cosponsor H.R. 833 to eliminate supervision

Last week, U.S. Representatives Sam Graves (R-MO) and Jared Huffman (D-CA) reintroduced the “Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act” (H.R. 833). The AANA is thrilled to announce that this legislation now includes a provision that would permanently remove physician supervision of CRNAs under Medicare Part A conditions of participation.  Endorsed by the National Rural Health Association, this […]

Make Your Voice Heard on Cigna’s Reimbursement Policy Change

As you are aware, Cigna recently announced that they will be reducing payment for QZ services to 85% of the physician fee schedule. Not only does this policy violate the federal provider nondiscrimination law, but it puts patients’ access to high-quality, cost-effective anesthesia care in jeopardy – especially for patients in rural and underserved areas. […]

Urgent CRNA Action Needed: WANA AA Bill

Anesthesiologist assistant advocate groups have introduced HB1038 in the Washington State House, which will license AAs in Washington and impact all CRNAs practicing in the state. Washington Association of Nurse Anesthetists is requesting that all CRNAs submit opposition to the bill through the Washington State Legislature Committee Sign-In process.   Click here to submit your opposition. Choose […]

AANA Appoints Ingrida Lusis as Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer

  ROSEMONT, Ill. – The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) has named Ingrida Lusis to serve as AANA’s Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer, effective Jan. 3, 2023. She will report to Chief Advocacy Officer Lorraine Jordan PhD, CRNA, CAE, FAAN. Lusis will lead both AANA’s federal and state advocacy teams in addition to the CRNA-PAC. “With […]