We wish all of our CRNA, RRNA, and RN members a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year. We hope you had a peaceful, joy-filled holiday season and are ready to join us to meet the promise and challenges 2025 will bring.
Our hearts go out to all affected by the tragic, unprecedented fires in southern California. We are working with Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs to find ways to help programs in affected areas. If you would like to help directly, please consider a donation to the American Red Cross In addition, Charity Navigator has compiled a list of organizations providing relief services to areas impacted by the fire.
One way to help RRNAs directly is to contribute to the AANA Foundation’s Resident Educational Scholarship Program, which provides needs-based scholarships to support RRNAs experiencing financial hardship due to a crisis and/or natural disaster that could hinder, delay, or prevent the completion of their nurse anesthesiology education. Please visit the Foundation’s REES Program webpage to learn more.
As new administrations take office this month in Washington, D.C, and in state houses across the country, AANA Federal and State Government Affairs advocacy teams will work tirelessly to secure your practice rights, fair reimbursement, and recognition for the exemplary care you provide. We will amplify your voice and educate legislators and regulators about your indispensable role in America’s healthcare system.
There is much to look forward to in the first few months of 2025.
Next week is National CRNA Week! Celebrate the rich history and promising future of our profession January 19-25. We urge you to show your pride in our amazing profession by sharing your stories, experiences, and passion for nurse anesthesiology.
Assembly of Didactic and Clinical Educators (ADCE): Join nurse anesthesiology educators from around the country Wednesday, February 12–Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa, Tucson, Arizona.
Mid-Year Assembly: This April we hope to see many of you at the Mid-Year Assembly in Washington, D.C. This is a gathering like no other—an exciting opportunity to join your colleagues to discuss legislative and regulatory priorities and advocate for our profession on Capitol Hill.
As always, thank you for supporting your colleagues and your profession through your AANA membership. Together, we are a mighty force to be reckoned with.
Medical Mutual Latest Insurance Provider To Limit Anesthesia Reimbursement
AANA President Quoted in Newsweek Article on Anesthesia Reimbursement Policy Changes
AANA Engages with the Department of Veterans Affairs Transition Team
Last Chance: PFD of the Year Award Nominations Due January 15
AANA’s Matt Thackston Among The Hill’s 100 Top Lobbyists 2024
Last Chance for 2025 Election (for MY26 term) Nominations
Coming Soon: Application Deadline for the 2025 Class of Fellows
ADVOCACY UPDATES
Medical Mutual Latest Insurance Provider To Limit Anesthesia Reimbursement
On December 19, 2024, AANA issued a statement following Medical Mutual’s change in reimbursement policy for anesthesia:
“In an ideal world, health insurers would assist their customers with health care costs rather than inflate their profits and hinder those customers from getting the care they so desperately need,” said Jan Setnor, President of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, MSN, CRNA, Col. (Ret), USAFR, NC. “Yet Medical Mutual has mimicked the attempt by both Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and Kaiser Permanente by arbitrarily, and without justification, slashing CRNA reimbursement by fifteen percent. This policy announcement is a blatant, dangerous, and self-serving attack on CRNAs and the patients they seek to care for.”
The Medical Mutual policy change will reduce Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) reimbursement to only 85 percent, effective January 24, 2025. CRNAs are anesthesia providers who are often the only ones available in rural communities, including in rural communities within Ohio, where Medical Mutual is headquartered. Read the entire statement.
AANA President Quoted in Newsweek Article on Anesthesia Reimbursement Policy Changes
AANA President Janet Setnor, MSN, CRNA, Col. (Ret), USAFR, NC, was quoted in "Insurance Company Changes Anesthesia Coverage: Who it Impacts," published on January 6 in Newsweek Magazine. In the article, which discussed recent anesthesia reimbursement policy changes by Medical Mutual and other payors, President Setnor said: "CRNAs are often the only anesthesia providers in the rural communities across the nation, including rural communities in Ohio where Medical Mutual is headquartered. These attempts by insurers to restrict CRNAs' practice underscores the critical need for HHS to enforce the nondiscrimination provision and is why AANA continues its litigation in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio to compel HHS to enforce the law.”
AANA Engages with the Department of Veterans Affairs Transition Team
In late December, AANA sent a letter from AANA President Janet Setnor, MSN, CRNA, Col. (Ret), USAFR, NC, to the incoming Trump Administration transition team to highlight AANA’s regulatory priorities with the Department of Veterans Affairs and to request a meeting with the Secretary-designate of Veterans Affairs, former Rep. Doug Collins, in early 2025 following the inauguration.
President Setnor’s letter highlights the level and quality of anesthesia care that CRNAs currently provide within the VA health system, and AANA’s priority for the VA health system to allow CRNAs to practice with full practice authority across the entire VA health system.
AANA will continue to engage with the incoming administration on CRNA full practice authority within the entire VA health system, and other policy priorities related to the VA health system, into 2025 and following the inauguration. AANA is looking for opportunities to engage with other agencies and the incoming Trump Administration on our key priority issues.
Last Chance: FPD of the Year Award Nominations Due January 15
Nominate an outstanding FPD for the Daniel D. Vigness Federal Political Director (FPD) of the Year Award. This award acknowledges a CRNA who has made significant contributions in advancing AANA’s federal healthcare agenda through state and federal grassroots political initiatives while serving as FPD for their state association. The deadline for nominations is January 15, 2025.
AANA’s Matt Thackston Among The Hill’s 100 Top Lobbyists 2024
Congratulations to AANA Director, Federal Government Affairs Matt Thackston on making The Hill’s 100 Top Lobbyist listing for 2024. As noted in the article published on December 5, “The lobbyists on this list are some of the best in the business and have been go-to advocates during a year defined by unprecedented political events, legislative logjams, federal spending cut crusades and big rulemaking swings by the outgoing Biden administration.”
SIGNIFICANT NEWS
Last Chance for 2025 Election (for MY26 term) Nominations
Wednesday, January 15, is the deadline for nominations for the AANA 2025 Election (Membership Year 2026 term). Nominations may be made by a state association, a member may nominate another member, or candidates may nominate themselves.
Voting is open from May 13 to May 27, 2025 (noon CT).
Open Positions: President-elect (1-year term); Vice President (1-year term); Treasurer (1-year term); Five Directors (2-year term); Three Leadership Identification Committee members (2-year term); Two Bylaws and Resolutions Committee members (2-year term)
Coming Soon: Application Deadline for the 2025 Class of Fellows
Stand out as a leader in nurse anesthesiology by joining the 2025 Class of Fellows! This prestigious designation, FAANA, recognizes CRNAs and nurse anesthesiologists who exemplify excellence in clinical practice, education, research, and professional advocacy. Active or emeritus AANA members are eligible to apply, and acceptance into this elite group signifies a major career milestone and dedication to advancing the field. Meet AANA’s high standards and showcase your impactful contributions—apply today to elevate your career! The deadline to apply is February 3, 2025.
The following is an FEC required legal notification for CRNA-PAC. Gifts to political action committees are not tax deductible. Contributions to CRNA-PAC are for political purposes. All contributions to CRNA-PAC are voluntary. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal. The guidelines are merely suggestions. You are free to contribute more or less than the guidelines suggest and the association will not favor or disadvantage you by reason of the amount contributed or the decision not to contribute. Federal law requires CRNA-PAC to use its best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and the name of the employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year. Each contributor must be a US Citizen.
American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology 10275 West Higgins Road, Suite 500 Rosemont, IL 60018
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