Category Archives: DCANA News

Dru Riddle Begins Term as President of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology

ROSEMONT, Ill., Aug. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — (AANA)—Dru Riddle, PhD, DNP, CRNA, FAAN, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), and resident of Fort Worth, Texas, recently took office as the 2023-2024 president of the nearly 61,000-member American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA), headquartered in Rosemont, Ill. “As president of the AANA, I am honored to […]

Ask your Representative to cosponsor the “ICAN Act” TODAY!

Representatives David Joyce (R-OH) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) have reintroduced the “Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act” (H.R. 2713) in the 118th Congress. This legislation will make a real difference for our patients by eliminating many of the barriers to the use of the highest-quality healthcare services provided by advanced practice registered nurses, […]

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. […]

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 […]

Role of CRNAs in Pain Management Included in Final CDC Clinical Practice Guidelines

AANA comments included in final CDC Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids Rosemont, Ill. (AANA) – The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) applauds the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for providing more flexibility and clarity in their updated Clinical Practice Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids. The final guidelines include acknowledgment of the role of Certified Registered […]