July 13, 2026

Dear Colleagues, 

As we head into the final weeks of Membership Year 2026, we have important updates to share, including fantastic news about the Vermont and Ohio opt-outs and the latest on legal efforts to overturn the Education Department’s rule excluding advanced nursing programs from the professional degree definition.

Great News from Vermont and Ohio

Last week, Vermont and Ohio became the 26^th and 27^th states to opt out of outdated Medicare physician supervision requirements for CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists. This is now more than half the country! These opt-outs are the culmination of years of determined advocacy and tireless efforts by state association leaders and members whose persistence continues to strengthen patient access to safe, high-quality anesthesia care. Congratulations, and thank you, to everyone who helped make these outcomes possible.

AANA continues to pressure Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for a total removal of supervision. With the majority of states having opted out, the federal standard is out of touch with the reality of healthcare needs.

Student Loan Lawsuit Update

On July 1, the request by the American Nurses Association (ANA), AANA, and our other nursing colleagues for a preliminary injunction against the Department of Education's (ED) rule misclassifying advanced nursing degree programs was heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts before Senior Judge Patti B. Saris. Judge Saris requested additional information from both parties by July 13 and will not rule before then.

The hearing came a week after the lawsuit led by Democracy Forward was heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, where Judge Beryl A. Howell ordered a temporary stay on ED's definition of a professional degree. The Democracy Forward lawsuit, which includes a broad coalition of education, healthcare, and other associations, including the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, was consolidated with the suit brought by the Physician Associate Education Association and the American Academy of Physician Associates.

On June 29, in response to Judge Howell's stay, ED released guidance stating MSN, DNP, and DNAP degrees are considered professional while the stay remains in effect. ED may release updated guidance, and AANA will continue monitoring developments and alert members to any changes.

2026 Proposed Bylaw Amendments

The Annual Congress and Annual Business Meeting are just around the corner. The 2026 proposed bylaw amendments will be posted July 20 for member review. We encourage members to take time to review the proposed amendments once they are available here.

Thank you, as always, for supporting your profession, your colleagues, and your patients through your membership in AANA. As we prepare for a new membership year, we take pride in what we have accomplished together and look forward to a bright future.

Sincerely, 

The AANA Board of Directors

In This Issue

• Vermont and Ohio Opt Out of Medicare Physician Supervision Requirements

• Ask Your Legislator to Cosponsor the Nursing Is a Professional Degree Act
• Are You Registered to Vote?
• AANA Issues New Workplace Environmental Sustainability Infographic

Advocacy Updates 

Vermont and Ohio Opt Out of Physician Supervision of CRNAs  

Patients in Vermont and Ohio now have increased access to safe anesthesia care. The two states are the latest to opt out of Medicare physician supervision requirements for CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists.  

With Vermont Gov. Phil Scott’s letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on July 2, Vermont becomes the 26th state to opt-out of physician supervision. 

“AANA applauds Gov. Scott for recognizing the important role CRNAs have in delivery of safe anesthesia care in Vermont,” said AANA President Jeff Molter, MBA, MSN, CRNA. “Increased patient demand, limited resources, and a state with rural healthcare challenges, dictate that a system capable of meeting the needs of Vermont residents be prioritized. By signing the opt-out letter, this has been achieved.” Read more.

With Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on July 10, Ohio becomes the 27^th state to opt-out of physician supervision.

“AANA applauds Gov. DeWine for prioritizing patient access and recognizing the important role CRNAs have in the delivery of safe anesthesia care in Ohio,” said President Molter. “CRNAs are highly educated, highly trained anesthesia professionals who provide safe, high-quality care in every practice setting. This decision helps ensure patients throughout Ohio can continue to receive timely care close to home.” Read more.

Ask Your Legislator to Cosponsor the Nursing Is a Professional Degree Act  

In response to the Department of Education's (ED) final rule limiting federal student loans for future CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists and other advanced practice registered nurses to $20,500 annually and $100,000 in aggregate, AANA has been working with congressional champions to develop a legislative solution.

The Nursing is a Professional Degree Act, introduced in the U.S. House by Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), David Joyce (R-Ohio) and Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), and in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), would amend the definition of "professional degree" in the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include all post-baccalaureate nursing degrees, including the MSN, DNP, DNAP and Ph.D.

Now that the July 1 deadline has passed, it is critical for members to contact their legislators. This bill would help increase federal student loan limits for future CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists, and your support is essential. Urge your legislator to cosponsor this bill today.

Are You Registered to Vote?  

Primary season is underway, and the November mid-term elections will be here before you know it. Now is the time to make sure you’re ready for your voice to be heard. You can register to vote, check your registration status, get your options for in person and absentee voting, and see who’s on your ballot in your state and district here. 

If you live in one of the states below, you have an election coming up in the next month. No matter who you vote for, don’t forget to make sure your voice is heard at the polls.

• July 21: Arizona
• July 28: Georgia
• August 4: Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Washington, California, Virginia
• August 6: Tennessee
• August 8: Hawaii
• August 11: Alabama, Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont, Wisconsin
• August 18: Alaska, Florida, Wyoming

Significant News

AANA Issues New Workplace Environmental Sustainability Infographic  

Looking to make your anesthesia practice more environmentally sustainable? AANA's new Implementing Environmental Sustainability Measures in the Workplace: A Checklist & Advocacy Guide provides a practical, step-by-step roadmap to help CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists, health care leaders and clinical teams implement sustainable practices while maintaining patient safety and clinical excellence.

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.