August 24, 2026

Dear Colleagues, 

As we share our closing message of Membership Year 2026, we’re in Boston wrapping up an exhilarating AANA Annual Congress.

We’re pleased to report a truly record-breaking Congress, with the highest total registration in AANA Annual Congress history and more CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists in attendance than ever before. More than 4,700 CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists, RRNAs, and RN-APRNs joined us in Boston and online.

Together, we learned through innovative educational sessions, including hands-on and experiential learning opportunities, celebrated our profession, and heard exciting news about what’s ahead for AANA and our members.

For us as your Board of Directors, Annual Congress is also a time to reflect with gratitude on the privilege of representing you. We are proud of all we have accomplished together.

The Membership Year 2027 Board of Directors will take it from here. You’ll hear from them in September, and we’re confident AANA is in excellent hands.

Pictured above are the members of the Membership Year 2027 Board of Directors. Front row, left to right: Treasurer Joseph Rodriguez, DNAP, CRNA; Vice President Randy Cornelius, DNP, MSN, CRNA; President Tracy Young, MSNA, MBA, CRNA; and President-elect Jennifer Banek, MSN, MHA, CRNA. Second row, left to right: Director Region 2 Jeffrey Darna, PhD, DNP, CRNA, ACNP-BC, FAANA; Director Region 6 Laura Wiggins, DNP, MSN, CRNA, Lt. Col. (Ret), USAF; Director Region 7 Bijal Chaturvedi, DNP, CRNA, FNP, FAANA; Director Region 3 Dee Berry, DNAP, MS, CRNA; Director Region 9 Michelle L. Canale, DNP, CRNA, APRN; Director Region 4 Wendy Odell, DNP, CRNA; Director Region 8 Jason Richard Bauer, MSN, RN,CRNA, PHRN, FAANA; Director Region 5 Gregory Collins, DNP, CRNA; Director Region 1 Jerrol Wallace, DNP, MSN, CRNA, CAPT, USN (Ret.), FAANA, FAAN; 

As Membership Year 2026 draws to a close, we extend our sincere thanks to our outgoing Board members, committee chairs and everyone who served on AANA committees and task forces. Your leadership and service strengthen our association and advance our profession.

Above all, our deepest appreciation goes to you, our members. Thank you for the trust you place in AANA and for all you do for your patients and your profession.

Thank you for an unforgettable year.

With gratitude,

The AANA Board of Directors

In This Issue

• AANA Launches Anesthesia Answers, a Patient Education Resource, at Annual Congress
• Court Finds Nursing Degree Exclusion from Professional Degree Definition Likely Contrary to Law
• Ask Your Legislators to Cosponsor the Ensuring Veterans Timely Access to Anesthesia Care Act (H.R.2234)
• AANA Summaries of CY 2027 Medicare Payment Proposed Rules Available Online
• The Deadline Is Approaching. Our Commitment Hasn't Changed.

Significant News

AANA Launches Anesthesia Answers, a Patient Education Resource, at Annual Congress  

On August 22 AANA announced the launch of Anesthesia Answers, a new patient education resource created by CRNA/nurse anesthesiologists to help patients and their families navigate one of healthcare's most misunderstood topics: anesthesia.

Anesthesia Answers — now available at AnesthesiaAnswers.org — gives patients and their loved ones direct, credible answers to common anesthesia questions. The website walks patients through what to expect before, during, and after surgery, childbirth, or a procedure and helps them feel more prepared for conversations about their care. Its content is grounded in evidence-based standards and nationally recognized safety protocols that CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists bring to every procedure. Read more.

Court Finds Nursing Degree Exclusion from Professional Degree Definition Likely Contrary to Law   

A federal judge in Massachusetts found that the Department of Education’s exclusion of nursing degrees from its definition of a professional degree is likely contrary to law, agreeing with an earlier analysis by the D.C. court. While the court did not grant a temporary injunction in the lawsuit brought by AANA, American Nurses Association and allied organizations, it found that the department improperly added requirements beyond what the law allows and that MSN, DNP, and DNAP degrees should be eligible for consideration as professional degrees.

Under current Department of Education guidance, MSN, DNP, and DNAP students continue to receive the higher federal student loan limits while the legal process continues.

AANA remains committed to ensuring that federal student loan policies do not discourage qualified future CRNAs from entering the profession. We will continue working with our partners toward a lasting solution that supports students, strengthens the anesthesia workforce, and helps ensure patients have access to high-quality anesthesia care wherever they live. 

Ask Your Legislators to Cosponsor the Ensuring Veterans Timely Access to Anesthesia Care Act (H.R.2234)  

The Ensuring Veterans Timely Access to Anesthesia Care Act of 2025, introduced by Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL) in the U.S. House, would remove outdated and unnecessary barriers that limit veterans' access to timely anesthesia care in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). This legislation will align the VHA with current Defense Health Agency policy, reduce wait times, increase access to care, and strengthen safety and transparency within the VHA.

This bill will allow both CRNAs and physician anesthesiologists to be autonomous providers of anesthesia, and we need your help to gain support. Urge your Legislator to cosponsor this bill today.

AANA Summaries of CY 2027 Medicare Payment Proposed Rules Available Online    

In July, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released both the CY 2027 Medicare Part B Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule and the CY 2027 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) proposed rule. In response, AANA staff prepared detailed summaries of the CY 2027 PFS proposed rule and the CY 2027 OPPS proposed rule.  

The PFS is significant because it includes payment updates for CRNAs and other clinicians billing Medicare Part B and influences private payer fee schedules. The OPPS is significant because it sets reimbursement policy for hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) for outpatient services and includes policies that could have implications for CRNAs. 

These summaries are available on AANA’s CMS Annual Medicare Payment Rules webpage, accessible through our recently redesigned Reimbursement webpage.

The Deadline Is Approaching. Our Commitment Hasn't Changed.

Every day, you show up for your patients and your profession.

Every day, we've got you.

Renew your membership by Aug. 31 to continue benefiting from the advocacy, resources and community that support you through every stage of your career. We're proud to stand with you for another year.

Renew Today

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