As you know, the federal government shutdown has ended. AANA is actively monitoring the aftermath and continuing to advocate for you and our profession across federal and state legislation, regulation, reimbursement, and practice issues.
One major concern emerged with the passage of the omnibus legislation known as “The One Big Beautiful Bill.” The Department of Education is now drafting regulations that would cap federal student loans for graduate degrees at $100,000. A separate $200,000 cap would apply to professional degrees.
However, DNP/DNAP degrees are not included in the proposed definition of “professional degree.” This means future RRNAs would only qualify for the $100,000 cap. This change could leave a gap in financing their full education with federally guaranteed student loans.
This exclusion is both unjustified and deeply concerning. It threatens the pipeline of future CRNA/nurse anesthesiologists and could worsen existing provider shortages—limiting patient access to care, especially in underserved areas.
AANA is pursuing a multipronged strategy to ensure CRNAs are included in the definition of professional students before the policy takes effect on July 1, 2026. Our efforts include:
Grassroots advocacy targeting Congress and the Department of Education
Coalition-building with national healthcare and nursing organizations and program directors to amplify reach and opportunity
We’ll continue to keep you informed about this critically important issue and let you know how you can participate in our advocacy outreach.
So much to be thankful for
As we head into the holiday season, we wish you and your loved ones a peaceful and happy Thanksgiving. Thank you for trusting us to serve on your Board of Directors. We are grateful to stand alongside you in this incredible profession.
The AANA is embarking on a bold new strategic planning effort to guide our organization and the larger profession over the coming years. CRNAs/RRNAs: if you haven’t already done so, we ask you to share your perspectives by responding to the survey sent to you via email from President Jeff Molter MBA, MSN, CRNA.
Your insights are essential to help us understand your unique needs and the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities facing nurse anesthesiology. The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete and will close on Nov. 25.
Thank you in advance for your willingness to participate in this important effort. Respond to the survey here.
In This Issue
Your State Opted Out—Now What?
National Rural Health Day: AANA Spotlights the Critical Role of CRNAs in Rural Healthcare
Mississippi Medical Board Withdraws CRNA Supervision Rule Proposal
AANA Leadership Attends RGA Annual Conference
Nominations for the 2026 Daniel D. Vigness FPD Award Due January 15
AANA Offices Closed Nov. 27-28 for Thanksgiving
Chicago Tribune Names AANA a Winner of its Top Workplaces 2025 Award
AANA Honors Our Nation’s Veterans, Supports Better Care and Greater Access to Healthcare in VA
EDGE 2026 Registration Now Open
Advocacy Updates
Your State Opted Out—Now What?
When your state opts out of the federal physician supervision requirement, it’s just the beginning. Learn the essential next steps for CRNA/nurse anesthesiologists and healthcare facilities to ensure smooth, compliant implementation. AANA’s new resource outlines key considerations to help optimize anesthesia care in the post–opt-out environment. Download the considerations.
National Rural Health Day: AANA Spotlights the Critical Role of CRNAs in Rural Healthcare
CRNAs, often the sole provider of anesthesia care to rural communities, and the AANA understand the unique challenges rural communities face to get and stay healthy.
“Today more than ever, rural communities are struggling to address health accessibility issues, including a lack of healthcare providers and access to care, the needs of an aging population suffering from more chronic conditions, and larger percentages of uninsured and underinsured populations,” said AANA President Jeff Molter, MBA, MSN, CRNA. “CRNAs represent more than 80% of the anesthesia providers in rural settings and are a solution to accessible care. They live in these communities and are instrumental in providing care to patients where they live when they need it most.”
Since 2010, the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health has set aside the third Thursday of every November as National Rural Health Day to recognize the community-minded spirit of rural America and the healthcare professionals who serve it. Read more.
Mississippi Medical Board Withdraws CRNA
Supervision Rule Proposal
The Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure (MSBOML) proposed rules that would have required physician supervision of CRNAs, and physician anesthesiologist “collaboration” in most CRNA cases. At its Nov. 12, 2025, meeting, the MSBOML withdrew the proposed rules. The AANA submitted a comment letter in opposition and also joined the comments of the Mississippi Association of Nurse Anesthetists. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the Mississippi Board of Nursing, and the Mississippi Hospital, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Rural Health associations also submitted comments in opposition.
AANA Leadership Attends RGA Annual Conference
On Nov. 17-18, AANA State Government Affairs Staff and President-elect Tracy Young, MSNA, MBA, CRNA, attended the Republican Governors Association’s Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX. The meeting offered many opportunities, including parlors and receptions, to advocate for CRNA practice in the states. The meeting also included an industry breakout related to the future of healthcare. AANA will continue to use these meetings to advocate for the profession with governors and their staff.
Nominations for the 2026 Daniel D. Vigness FPD Award Due January 15
Does your state have an extraordinary Federal Political Director (FPD)? Nominate them for the Daniel D. Vigness FPD Award before January 15!
The Daniel D. Vigness FPD Award is presented to an FPD who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of AANA’s federal healthcare policy agenda through coordinating federal grassroots and grasstops activities with their state associations. FPD activities include visibly participating in advocacy efforts, establishing and fortifying relationships with federal officials, recruiting participation in AANA grassroots/grasstops and CRNA-PAC activities, serving as a liaison between their state association and AANA Federal Government Affairs, and assisting in the planning and preparation for meetings on Capitol Hill at Mid-Year Assembly.
View the eligibility requirements and nominate your state’s outstanding FPD here. The deadline to be considered for the 2026 award, presented at Mid-Year Assembly, is Jan. 15, 2026.
Significant News
AANA Offices Closed Nov. 27-28 for Thanksgiving
The AANA offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 27 and Friday, Nov. 28 for Thanksgiving. Our offices will reopen Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, at 8 a.m. (CT).
Our Help Center has common member requests and answers.
Chicago Tribune Names AANA a Winner of its Top Workplaces 2025 Award
The AANA has once again been recognized as a Top Workplaces honoree by the Chicago Tribune. AANA has received this honor four times since 2021, with this being the third consecutive year.
The Chicago Top Workplaces 2025 list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures the employee experience and culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization, such as connection, alignment, and execution.
“Being named a Top Workplace for the third consecutive year is both an honor and a reflection of AANA’s strong, values-driven culture,” said Bill Bruce, MBA, CAE, AANA’s chief executive officer. “With an overall workplace experience score six points above the benchmark, our team exemplifies what it means to be engaged, empowered, and united by purpose. Our staff members describe AANA as inclusive, innovative, and supportive—qualities that make our workplace exceptional. Most importantly, they find deep meaning in serving our members and advancing the nurse anesthesiology profession. That shared purpose is what truly makes AANA a meaningful and special place to work.” Read more.
AANA Honors Our Nation’s Veterans, Supports Better Care and Greater Access to Healthcare in VA
On Nov. 11, the AANA joined the nation in honoring and thanking America’s military veterans for their bravery and service to our country this Veterans Day.
Military CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists are the primary providers of anesthesia care in the U.S. military and often the sole providers of anesthesia in austere or forward-deployed environments, ensuring safe, high-quality care in even the most challenging conditions. Yet the same veterans who relied on CRNAs during their service may not have equal access to that care when they return home. Read more.
EDGE 2026 Registration Now Open
Face to face and educator to educator, you and fellow CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists will network, collaborate, and exchange ideas to advance and enhance education. At EDGE (formerly ADCE), we’ll chart a stronger future for nurse anesthesia education.
EDGE is the same trusted gathering you know and value—now refreshed with a sharper focus on didactic innovation, academic scholarship, and the evolving needs of today’s educators.
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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