Protect Lifesaving Anesthesia Care for Veterans Act of 2023

Protect Lifesaving Anesthesia Care for Veterans Act of 2023

This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from modifying its policy relating to anesthesia care in a manner that would provide any medical professional other than a physician anesthesiologist with full practice authority for the furnishment of anesthesia care to veterans under VA health care laws. The VA is also prohibited from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the provisions relating to anesthesia care of the proposed rule titled Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (81 Fed. Reg. 33155), or any substantially similar rule.

Bill 118 hr 3347, also known as the Protect Lifesaving Anesthesia Care for Veterans Act of 2023, aims to ensure that veterans have access to safe and effective anesthesia care when receiving medical treatment at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. The bill specifically addresses the issue of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) being able to provide anesthesia care to veterans.

Currently, CRNAs are not recognized as independent providers of anesthesia care within the VA system, which can lead to delays in care and limited access to anesthesia services for veterans. This bill seeks to change that by allowing CRNAs to practice to the full extent of their education and training, without unnecessary restrictions or supervision requirements.

By expanding the scope of practice for CRNAs, the bill aims to improve access to anesthesia care for veterans, particularly in rural and underserved areas where there may be a shortage of anesthesiologists. This will help ensure that veterans receive timely and high-quality anesthesia care when undergoing medical procedures at VA facilities. Overall, the Protect Lifesaving Anesthesia Care for Veterans Act of 2023 is a bipartisan effort to improve healthcare services for veterans by expanding the role of CRNAs in providing anesthesia care within the VA system.