We are disappointed, but we are determined and are using all avenues to end this arbitrary and discriminatory policy that harms patient access to critical anesthesia services. See the first Advocacy Update news item to find out how you can add your voice to those urging UHC to reverse this harmful policy.
We are not alone! A coalition representing AANA and nine other provider and patient groups, has called upon the Secretaries of the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury to investigate and intervene on UnitedHealthcare’s anesthesia reimbursement policy.
Meeting our members this fall
One of the most important—and enjoyable—parts of our role as your Board of Directors is engaging with our members in person by attending state association meetings. Many state associations are having their fall state meetings and AANA Board members have been on the road attending the meetings, engaging with members and state leadership. If you state has a meeting soon, we hope to see you there!
Here are photos from just a few state meetings held over the busy last few months.
We’re excited to have the opportunity to meet with state leaders from across the country at the State Leadership Boot Camp next weekend. No matter what the setting—we are there to listen, and we always come away from these gatherings inspired by your dedication and insights.
Congratulations are in order…
To Jerrol Wallace, DNP, MSN, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN, CAPT (retired), U.S. Navy, Director Region 1 on his recent retirement from the U.S. Navy. He is pictured here second from left, along with Debra Diaz, DNP, CRNA, APRN, FAANA, Director Region 2; AANA CEO Bill Bruce; and AANA President Jeff Molter, MBA, MSN, CRNA, who attended his retirement ceremony in Norfolk, VA.
As always, thank you for being a part of AANA and for all that you do for your patients, colleagues, and communities.
If you have general questions for the Board of Directors, please reach out to them at: Board-of-Directors@aana.com
To avoid multiple responses, the AANA Vice President will triage these inquiries and reply on behalf of the Board.
In This Issue
CRNAdvocacy Alert: Tell UnitedHealthcare to Rescind Illegal Reimbursement Policy
AANA CEO Discusses What happens when QZ drops to 85%
AANA and Coalition of Provider and Patient Groups Urge Federal Investigation into UnitedHealthcare’s Anesthesia Reimbursement Policy
New California Law Clarifies CRNA Scope of Practice
Government Shut Down Continues
AANA Advocates for Future CRNAs with Department of Education on Student Loan Caps
Keep Your Eyes on AANA’s Social Channels for World Anesthesia Day
Curious About Elected Leadership Opportunities At AANA?
Applications Open: Become a Grade 1 View Podcast Host
Kerrville’s CRNAs Bring Healing Beyond the Hospital Rooms
Advocacy Updates
CRNAdvocacy Alert: Tell UnitedHealthcare to Rescind Illegal Reimbursement Policy
UnitedHealthcare’s policy to cut CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist reimbursement by 15% took effect on Oct. 1. In a statement issued on October 1, AANA President Jeff Molter, MSN, MBA, CRNA said: “This policy is not only unlawful but is a pure money grab for UnitedHealthcare. UHC has not provided research nor data that cuts to anesthesia reimbursement will have a positive impact on patient care nor premiums. Rather, we have heard directly from physicians and facilities on the detrimental effect of this pay cut on patient access to care.”
Now, we need your help. Please follow the steps below to urge UnitedHealthcare CEO Timothy Noel to rescind this harmful policy.
Click here and follow the prompts to access a pre-written email to the UnitedHealthcare CEO.
Personalize the email with details about your community and practice setting. Keep the focus on patient impact.
Click “send email.”
AANA CEO Discusses What happens when QZ drops to 85%
“When private insurers began cutting QZ reimbursements to 85%, they framed it as ‘alignment’ and ‘standardization,’” wrote AANA CEO Bill Bruce, MBA, CAE, in an op-ed published in Becker’s ASC Review. “Strip away the euphemisms and you find an old story: margin-play that offloads risk and cost onto hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and the patients who can least absorb it.” Read Profits First, Patients and Providers Last – The Truth of QZ Cuts, for Bruce’s perspective on how these policies undermine access to care in rural and underserved areas—and the disastrous effects on already strained healthcare systems.
AANA and Coalition of Provider and Patient Groups Urge Federal Investigation into UnitedHealthcare’s Anesthesia Reimbursement Policy
A coalition representing AANA and nine other provider and patient groups sent a letter to the Secretaries of the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury urging them to investigate and intervene on UnitedHealthcare’s anesthesia reimbursement policy. The letter noted the devastating impact that this policy will have on patients and facilities across the country. AANA is continuing to work with this coalition on efforts to halt UnitedHealthcare’s and other harmful commercial payers’ anesthesia policies.
Signatories to the letter are:
Ambulatory Surgery Center Association
American Association of Birth Centers
American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
American College of Nurse-Midwives
American Gastroenterological Association
American Nurses Association
Digestive Health Physicians Association
IBD Moms
IBS Patient Support Group
Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society
New California Law Clarifies CRNA Scope of Practice
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 876 into law on October 1, 2025. The law clarifies CRNA scope of practice, ensuring that CRNAs can continue practicing to the full extent of their education and training. The law reaffirms the essential role of CRNAs in California, especially in underserved communities that depend on them most. See the California Association of Nurse Anesthesiology press release here.
Government Shut Down Continues
At press time, the federal government remains shut down. The Senate has returned to Washington, DC and will continue voting on the House-passed CR while they begin high-level negotiations to end the shutdown. In the meantime, the administration and leaders at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and other agencies have significant latitude over decisions to furlough employees, and who may or may not be deemed essential workers. AANA is monitoring the situation as it develops and will provide updates on the 2025 Federal Executive Actions webpage, including relevant agency contingency plans and other agency activities.
In addition to the effects on agencies, a shutdown means that AANA and other associations must pause both Congressional and Agency lobbying efforts until the government is reopened. The shutdown also impacts CRNA-PAC's political giving as well.
If you have questions or concerns about a government shutdown, please reach out to the AANA Federal Government Affairs team at info@aanadc.com.
AANA Advocates for Future CRNAs with Department of Education on Student Loan Caps
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July, made many changes to federal student loan programs. One change AANA is tracking closely is the student loan caps that will apply to direct federal unsubsidized loans. Beginning July 1, 2026, loan limits will be instituted on graduate and professional degrees. Graduate students will be limited to $20,500 per year or $100,000 in aggregate and professional students to $50,000 per year or $200,000 in aggregate.
The Department of Education began creating regulations to implement these loan caps, including defining what is a professional degree, just before the government shutdown. The Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee began negotiated rulemaking where stakeholders and the Department of Education draft the first rounds of regulatory text. The Department presented a draft definition of professional degree to the Committee that limited these degrees to a short list that does not include nursing degrees. Many members of the Committee rejected this definition, and no consensus agreement was reached. The Committee will instead continue this conversation at their next meeting, which is scheduled for the first week of November, but could be delayed due to the government shutdown.
AANA has been working with the Nursing Community Coalition and a broader group of allied health professions to advocate for a broad definition that includes nursing degrees. The FGA team is sending a letter specifically listing how CRNAs meet the definition of professional degrees and advocating directly with the Department of Education. There will be grassroots actions, engagement of program directors, and much more advocacy activation as the regulatory process continues.
Significant News
Keep Your Eyes on AANA’s Social Channels for World Anesthesia Day
Mark your calendars for October 16, 2025: World Anesthesia Day! Follow along on AANA’s Instagram and Facebook as we host an exciting social media takeover.
Don’t miss these inspiring stories and a day full of recognition, pride, and connection.
Curious About Elected Leadership Opportunities At AANA?
Register now for Leadership Unlocked: What to Know Before Running for AANA Office. This will be a relaxed conversation with current and former leaders and a chance to ask your questions live. This informal webinar will take place on Nov. 6, 2025, 6 p.m. CT to 7:30 pm CT. For more information about the 2026 Election, visit the AANA Election Center.
Applications Open: Become a Grade 1 View Podcast Host
Are you a nurse anesthesia resident with at least 12 months left in your program? Here’s your chance to step behind the mic as a host of Grade 1 View—the podcast created for future CRNAs, by future CRNAs.
Produced in partnership with Beyond the Mask and AANA, Grade 1 View releases twice-monthly, 30-minute episodes on topics that matter most to residents. Season 2 hosts will serve a one-year term (December 2025–December 2026) as part of a rotating team of three to four residents across program years.
Apply by Nov. 1, 2025, to help shape the conversation for the next generation of CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists.
Kerrville’s CRNAs Bring Healing Beyond the Hospital Rooms
The water came in the middle of the night, fast and furious, swallowing cabins, sweeping away RV parks, and turning the Guadalupe River into a torrent of destruction. By sunrise on July 4, Kerrville, Texas — a town of 25,000 — was reeling. Families were missing. Children had drowned. Whole neighborhoods were torn apart. Learn how Kerrville CRNAs Patrick Reidy Lower, DNAP, MSHA, CRNA; Ryan Hartnett, CRNA; Lisa Solder, MSNA, CRNA; and Laura Real, CRNA, cared for their neighbors in the face of unimaginable tragedy and continued to help their community heal in the disaster’s aftermath. Read more.
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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