Value of Membership

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.

In the 2023-2024 state legislative sessions, 18 anesthesiologist assistant bills have been introduced. Of those, 11 were defeated and five have not moved forward as of June 2024, thanks to active state associations and support from AANA.

AANA President-Elect 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.  

Represented CRNAs in hundreds of meetings with the U.S. Congress, White House, and government agencies including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the VA.  

Held on to AANA’s Political Action Committee (CRNAPAC)’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.