Value of Membership

• New Hampshire enacted a bill prohibiting health carriers from establishing payment or reimbursement provisions based solely on a participating APRN’s licensure. The New Hampshire Association of Nurse Anesthesiology was involved in advocacy for this bill. 

• AANA CEO Highlights CRNA Impact: AANA CEO Bill Bruce, MBA, CAE, highlighted the critical role of CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists in addressing healthcare shortages and increasing access to care in a recent article published by Becker’s Healthcare. He called on Congress to eliminate outdated restrictions that limit CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist practice, emphasizing their ability to provide cost-effective, high-quality care.
• Medical Mutual Advocacy: AANA successfully fought against a discriminatory reimbursement policy enacted by Medical Mutual, which reduced CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist reimbursement by 15%. Thanks to AANA’s swift action, the decision was reversed, protecting fair compensation for CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists, particularly in underserved rural communities.
• Advocacy in the Media: AANA President Janet Setnor’s advocacy efforts were recently featured in Newsweek, where she emphasized the vital role CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists play in rural communities. She stated, “CRNAs are often the only anesthesia providers in rural communities across the nation.” AANA has made proactive efforts to combat unfair reimbursement practices and advocate for CRNAs’/nurse anesthesiologists’ rights nationwide.
• VA Transition Team Advocacy: AANA engaged with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) transition team to advocate for full practice authority for CRNAs across the entire VA health system. Underscoring AANA’s commitment to ensuring CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists can practice to the full extent of their training and expertise in the VA.
• Recognizing Advocacy Efforts: AANA Director of Federal Government Affairs, Matt Thackston, was named one of The Hill’s Top 100 Lobbyists in 2024. This recognition highlights the strength and expertise of AANA’s advocacy team, ensuring CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist voices are heard at the highest levels of government.
• Kaiser Reverses Discriminatory Reimbursement Policy: AANA successfully advocated for the reversal of a discriminatory anesthesia reimbursement policy enacted by Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington. The policy reduced reimbursement for QZ services provided by CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists to 85% of the Physician Fee Schedule. Just two days after AANA President Jan Setnor, MSN, CRNA, Col. (Ret), USAFR, NC, publicly condemned the policy, Kaiser reversed its decision. This victory highlights AANA’s unwavering commitment to protecting CRNA practice and ensuring fair reimbursement. Read the AANA press release.
• AANA Urges Congress to Prioritize Patients’ Care: On December 12, AANA called on federal lawmakers to prioritize the inclusion of provisions from the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act (H.R. 2713/S. 2418) in year-end legislation. AANA President Jan Setnor highlighted the critical role CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists play in delivering anesthesia services. These efforts underscore the association’s dedication to improving patient care through legislative action. Read more.
• On Friday, September 27, AANA filed a petition for a writ of mandamus in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio asking the court to compel Xavier Beccera, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), to perform a duty he is legally obligated to perform — enforce the provider non-discrimination provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) against insurance companies and health plans. Listen to this episode of Beyond the Mask where they discuss the filing.
  
  While the government was initially required to respond by November, it requested and was granted an extension to respond by December 30, 2024. AANA’s legal team anticipates the government will file a motion to dismiss, as is standard legal practice. AANA is monitoring the case closely and will provide updates on next steps as they develop.
• In comments to the Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule for Calendar Year (CY) 2025, AANA urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to alleviate cuts in reimbursement to anesthesia providers, such as CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists.  

• Defeat Anesthesiologist Assistant Bills: In the 2023-2024 legislative sessions, as of August 2024, AANA helped defeat 13 anesthesiologist assistant bills (or related efforts).
• Opt-Out Achievements: In 2023-2024, three states opted out of federal physician supervision for CRNAs: Wyoming opted out for critical access hospitals and hospitals with 25 beds or less, Delaware and Massachusetts obtained full opt-outs. Colorado moved from partial opt-out (since 2010) to full opt-out. There are now 25 states and Guam that have obtained full or partial opt-outs.
• Oregon and the District of Columbia enacted full practice authority laws for CRNAs.
• In South Carolina, CRNAs now have a pathway to obtain fluoroscopy certification. 
• Delaware adopted workers’ compensation insurance rules that require CRNAs to be reimbursed at the same rate as physician anesthesiologists. 
• Alabama and Kentucky enacted laws requiring a position for a CRNA on the state board of nursing, appointed from candidates submitted by Alabama Association of Nurse Anesthetists and Kentucky Association of Nurse Anesthetists, respectively.
• AANA representatives attended over 520 meetings in 2023-2024, including 300 PAC events, 200 Hill meetings, and over 20 Regulatory meetings. These meetings addressed key topics such as the VA healthcare system, provider nondiscrimination, and Medicare payment reforms. These efforts ensure that CRNA voices are heard at the highest levels of government. 
• AANA President Jan Setnor testified before the House Veterans Affairs Health Subcommittee regarding National Standards of Practice for CRNAs in the VA. 
• The U.S. Senate introduced the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act, which would remove barriers for CRNAs and other APRNs. We gained more than 25 cosponsors of the ICAN Act in the U.S. House of Representatives and hosted a Congressional briefing. 
• Secured the appointment of Dru Riddle to the VA National Advisory Council, which advises the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on matters related to research and research prioritization. 
• Held on to AANA’s Political Action Committee (CRNA-PAC)’s position as the largest nursing PAC and one of the top 10 healthcare professional association PACs in D.C. 
• Launched a direct giving program at NursingVotes.org so AANA members and the larger nursing community can help elect nurses and nursing champions. 

• AANA Foundation Awards: Over $6 million has been awarded to more than 4,700 individuals, including 212 research grants, 62 student research grants, 2,721 poster presentations, and 1,606 scholarships.
• FY24 Financials: Fiscal year 2024 saw more than $377,400 awarded in scholarships, research grants, and poster presentations.

View AANA’s Annual report here.

• Practice Guidelines: Published considerations on Ketamine Therapy for Psychiatric Disorders and Chronic Pain Management, Analgesia and Anesthesia for the Substance Use Disorder Patient, and Care of Transgender and Gender-Diverse Patients.
• Position Statements: Issued statements on a Holistic Approach to Pain Management, Patient-Driven Interdisciplinary Practice, and Securing Propofol.
• Research Contributions: Over 175 abstracts of research conducted by CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists submitted for presentation at 2024 & 2025 AANA conferences.
  • Note: all guidelines are open for member feedback prior to publishing. See our current feedback requests.

• Success Stories: Jamie Applegate utilized methods from conference attendance and AANA’s practice guidelines to save a patient. Read more about her experience. See all CRNA profiles. 
• Fellow Inductions: 49 new Fellows of the AANA were inducted at Annual Congress in San Diego in August, bringing the total to 223 fellows over 4 years.

• Recruitment Efforts: Engaged in exhibits and partnerships to recruit RNs/APRNs, supporting Program Admins for current students and assisting in increasing capacity for anesthesia programs.

• Initiated a program to amplify the reach and impact of CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists across digital platforms. See who’s involved. 

• AANA provides members a near-real-time transfer of CE to NBCRNA and a CE dashboard to track CE earned to CE required.

• Support Provided: In FY24, AANA’s member services team resolved over 18,000 inquiries, providing timely assistance through phone calls, chats, and emails. We’re committed to helping you navigate your career with confidence.

• AANA Helpline provided confidential support with 628 calls and 192 members entering treatment from 2019-2023.

• CRNA Education Edge: Launched in 2024, the platform now serves over 8,000 users, offering seamless access to continuing education courses tailored to your needs. Learn more.
• Journal Course Essentials: Provides low-cost CE to help CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists meet certification requirements more easily; each member receives six free journal courses annually. Learn more.

Explore the full range of benefits and see how AANA is working for you every day. Your membership is making a difference.

• Major Meetings: AANA hosted three major meetings in FY24—Annual Congress, ADCE, and MYA—with nearly 3,500 attendees from all 50 states. Members received exclusive discounts and benefits, making these events accessible and valuable.

• National CRNA Week celebrates the nearly 74,000 CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists and RRNAs nationwide. The 2025 theme, “Exceptional Care. Innovative Leaders,” highlights the critical role CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists play as skilled providers and healthcare leaders. Members are encouraged to share their pride and stories on AANA social media channels using #CRNAWeek.