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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
ANA Protests Bush's Delay on Nurse Anesthetists RulingWashington, DC --President Bush's decision to delay and possibly reverse a government rule regarding nurses anesthetists and their supervision by doctors is bringing a negative outcry from the American Nurses Association (ANA). With Bush's support, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is proposing to write a new rule that would reinstate the requirement that nurse anesthetists may provide anesthesia services to Medicare beneficiaries only when supervised by a physician. Although HHS is proposing giving states some autonomy if state law exists regarding nurse anesthetists, consensus from the state boards of medicine and nursing would be required, thus imposing added barriers. "Nurse Anesthetists are highly skilled and have provided safe, quality anesthesia care to patients for numerous years," said ANA President Mary Foley, MS, RN. "Delaying the rule is a major setback for nurse anesthetists and the patients they serve." Foley further noted that returning to the old rule will put undue restraints on the nurse anesthetists and hinder their work. "These specialty nurses provide a valuable service to rural and inner-city hospitals where in many cases they are the sole anesthesia providers," said Foley. "Reversing the rule could cause serious delays in services to patients in these areas. If this were truly an argument about access to safe care, the administration would not delay or reverse this sound rule." ANA has actively supported the release of the rule and has made concentrated efforts over the years to lobby against a federal requirement of physician supervision. At times, ANA's lobbying efforts have been intense, facilitating several grassroots initiatives including letter-writing campaigns and letters of support from ANA President Mary Foley, MS, RN. Foley also made a personal appeal to Clinton White House officials for the release of the rule. Currently, 29 states allow nurse anesthetists to practice without the supervision of a physician. ANA will be collaborating with organizations who advocate for access to advance practice nurses to assure more states remove supervisory requirements. # # # The American Nurses Association is the only full-service professional organization representing the nation's 2.7 million Registered Nurses through its constituent member state nurses associations. The ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.  Sign up to receive ANA Press Releases by e-mail
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