Two U.S. Representatives, Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., and Jen Kiggans, R-Va., have introduced legislation that would allow certified registered nurse anesthetists and physician anesthesiologists to provide anesthesia autonomously at the Veterans Health Administration.
Currently, Defense Health Agency policy allows CRNAs to practice independently, and the Ensuring Veterans Timely Access to Anesthesia Care Act of 2025 would align the VHA with those regulations, according to a March 19 press release from the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.
“As a veteran and practicing CRNA, I am excited to see Reps. Underwood and Kiggans introduce this critical legislation to help our veterans get the prompt care they deserve,” Jan Setnor, MSN, president of AANA, said in the release. “For too long, veterans have been denied timely access to care within the VHA due to outdated barriers and red tape that this bill would finally address.”
CRNAs are currently able to practice without the supervision of a physician anesthesiologist in 49 states and Washington, D.C., according to the AANA’s release.
The post Representatives introduce bill allowing VA CRNAs to work autonomously appeared first on Becker’s ASC.
