July 27, 2026

Dear Colleagues, 

Last fall, AANA asked members what mattered most, where they found value in their membership, and how the association could best support the future of the profession.

Your feedback directly shaped a new strategic plan approved by the Board of Directors. Developed with input from members, leadership and staff, the plan is focused on delivering greater value to members while advancing the nurse anesthesiology profession and improving patient care.

The plan is centered on three strategic priorities:

• Develop and Own the Evidence by establishing AANA as the definitive source for research and data on the quality, efficacy and value of nurse anesthesiology.
• Define Standards of Excellence by delivering cutting-edge clinical education that keep CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists at the forefront of anesthesia care.
• Dominate Policy by strengthening AANA's leadership and influence in health policy.

The Board also approved updated mission and vision statements, effective July 1, 2026.

• Mission: To champion the advancement of the nurse anesthesiology profession.
• Vision: AANA is the authoritative voice and professional home, advancing the quality and sustainability of nurse anesthesiology.

To better support these priorities, the Board has also approved a proposed governance structure designed to align committee work more closely with the strategic plan. Committee leaders and staff liaisons will begin orientation to the new structure this summer.

This strategic plan is designed to evolve alongside the profession, and the Board will continue to evaluate its progress and make adjustments as needed.

We'll share more during the Opening Ceremony in Boston, and we hope to see you there. In the meantime, you can learn more and provide feedback here. (Member password required.)

This weekend, the membership year 2027 (MY27) Board of Directors came together for a retreat and orientation led by MY27 President Tracy Young. The focus was on establishing a strong foundation of good governance, shared expectations, alignment, and trust so the Board can lead effectively on behalf of our members and the profession for the upcoming year. 

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback throughout this process. Your voice helped shape the future direction of AANA, and we are grateful for your continued commitment to our profession.

Sincerely, 

The AANA Board of Directors

In This Issue

• Mandamus Lawsuit Update: Appeal Denied
• AANA Applauds Bipartisan Support for Key Nursing Workforce Legislation, Supporting Patient Access to Anesthesiology Services
• Missouri Enacts Law Mandating Anesthesia Coverage
• Ask Your Legislators to Cosponsor the Ensuring Veterans Timely Access to Anesthesia Care Act (H.R.2234)
• AANA, Nursing Coalition Call for Withdrawal of Proposed Federal Financial Assistance Rule
• 2026 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN) Closes August 10
• You Don't Have to Carry It Alone 
• 2026 Proposed Bylaw Amendments Available Online
• COA Launches Call for Comments on Proposed Revisions to 'Eligibility' Policy Definitions
• Five CRNAs Recognized for Their Impact on Health and Healthcare
• Correction

Advocacy Updates 

Mandamus Lawsuit Update: Appeal Denied

In September 2024, AANA filed a petition seeking a writ of mandamus in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, asking the court to compel the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enforce the provider nondiscrimination provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) against insurance companies and health plans.  HHS subsequently filed a Motion to Dismiss AANA’s petition. After the court granted HHS’ Motion to Dismiss, AANA filed an appeal in September 2025. On July 21,2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit denied the appeal. Read the statement from President Jeff Molter, MSN, MBA, CRNA, on the decision.

AANA Applauds Bipartisan Support for Key Nursing Workforce Legislation, Supporting Patient Access to Anesthesiology Services

On July 23, in a major win for CRNA/nurse anesthesiologists and the entire nursing community, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (HELP) Committee marked up the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act and moved the bill to the full Senate for consideration. In addition to moving the Title VIII Nursing Workforce bill, the committee also advanced both the National Nursing Workforce Center Act and the Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act as amendments to Title VIII, both of which the AANA has supported. AANA applauds this important movement and thanks Sens. Bill Cassidy (R) and Bernie Sanders (I) for their leadership and support to move this important legislation forward. Read more.

Missouri Enacts Law Mandating Anesthesia Coverage   

On July 13, 2026, Governor Mike Kehoe signed HB 2372 into law. The bill prohibits health carriers or health benefit plans from establishing, implementing, or enforcing any policy, practice, or procedure that imposes a time limit for the payment of anesthesia services during a medical or surgical procedure, or restricts or excludes all anesthesia time in calculating the payment of anesthesia services. The Missouri Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MOANA) supported this bill. MOANA represents more than 1500 members (including CRNAs and RRNAs) in the state.  

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, Nursing Coalition Call for Withdrawal of Proposed Federal Financial Assistance Rule  

On July 13, AANA along with 45 members of the Nursing Community Coalition sent a comment letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) urging it to withdraw its proposed rule on federal financial assistance. The proposed rule would overhaul the current regulations that govern federal financial assistance awards and sponsored research programs, including all federal research grants. Specifically, the proposals would broaden the language for the termination of grants and add a new suspension process that is entirely at the agency’s discretion. The letter states “federal grant funding is critical to ensuring that our members can continue to educate the future nurses of America, grow the nursing workforce, and conduct essential research that improves our nation’s health… While the stated intent of the proposed rule is to improve transparency and accountability, and to reduce burden within the federal grant process, many of these proposed changes will have the opposite effect.”

2026 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN) Closes August 10

The NSSRN is the longest running primary source of nursing workforce data conducted every four years. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) uses this data to analyze supply and demand of the nursing workforce, assess the impact and needs of federal nursing programs, and calculate trends in nursing education and other demographics.  If you were mailed a survey, make sure to fill it out completely and return it before August 10 so you can be counted. For more information on how the data is collected and used see the U.S. Census Bureau’s FAQ page.  

Significant News

You Don't Have to Carry It Alone 

Every day brings new challenges, new decisions, and new opportunities to make a difference. Through it all, your AANA membership supports you every step of the way.

We've got you.

From expert clinical resources and professional guidance to advocacy that protects your ability to practice, AANA works behind the scenes so you can focus on what matters most. Whenever you need advice, answers or connection, fellow CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists are just a click away. Renew today to stay connected to the community and resources you can count on.

Renew Today

2026 Proposed Bylaw Amendments Available Online   

The 2026 proposed Bylaw amendments are now posted online for member review. We encourage members to take time to review the proposed amendments here.

COA Launches Call for Comments on Proposed Revisions to 'Eligibility' Policy Definitions  

At its June 2026 meeting, the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) approved proposed revisions to the existing definitions related to eligibility for accreditation.

The COA has recently received numerous applications from universities and institutions seeking to establish nurse anesthesia programs with unique governance structures. During its review of these applications, the COA identified inconsistent definitions and conflicting language related to governance structures. These inconsistencies created confusion about the responsibilities of arrangements involving a sole conducting institution and those with jointly controlled or shared governance structures.

Following guidance from the U.S. Department of Education regarding written arrangements between institutions offering educational programs, there is an increasing expectation that when a degree-granting institution enters into an agreement with a non-Title IV-eligible entity to offer part of an educational program, the degree-granting institution must provide at least 51% of the program and generally remain responsible for it. Consistent with these expectations, the COA requires the degree-granting institution to demonstrate greater oversight of the portions of the program it does not directly offer.

To provide greater clarity and consistency regarding these expectations, the COA approved proposed revisions to the definitions related to eligibility for accreditation. To provide your input, please complete the Proposed Revisions to ‘Eligibility’ Policy Definitions Survey. Individual survey responses will be kept confidential, and results will be presented to the COA in aggregate. Feedback from the community of interest is important as the COA considers the proposed revisions.

The Call for Comments will remain open until August 5, 2026. Call the COA at 224-275-9130 or email accreditation@coacrna.org with any questions.

Member Highlights

Five CRNAs Recognized for Their Impact on Health and Healthcare   

Five AANA members have been selected to join the 2026 Class of Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN). These CRNA/nurse anesthesiologists, also known as and their cohort of 275 distinguished nurse leaders are recognized for their substantial and sustained impact on health and healthcare.  

These five CRNAs will be inducted at the Academy’s annual Health Policy Conference, October 8-10, 2026, in Washington DC. Nelson J. Aquino, DNP, CRNA, APRN, FAANA; Adrienne G. Hartgerink, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, Lt Col (ret), USAF; Daniel D. King, DNP, CRNA, CPPS, CNE, FNAP; Michael A. MacKinnon, DNP, FNP-C, CRNA, FAANA; and Rishelle Zhou, DNAP, LLB, CRNA, FAANA. 

The 2026 Class of Fellows were selected from a competitive pool of applicants and were reviewed by the Academy’s Fellow Selection Committee as part of a rigorous application process. They represent a cross-section of nursing’s most dynamic leaders that make positive changes in their systems and communities to champion health and wellness. Induction into the academy represents the highest honor in nursing—earning the Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) credential is a significant recognition of their accomplishments. Learn more about the five CRNA Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing Inductees. 

Correction  

A news item in the May 18 issue of this newsletter incorrectly indicated that Lena Gould, EdD, CRNA, FADLN, FAANA, FAAN, was the first CRNA inducted as a Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM). Laura Ardizzone, DNP, MS, MBA, CRNA and Jenni Ross Majumdar, PhD, are also Fellows of the NYAM. We apologize for the error.

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.