October 5, 2026

Dear Colleagues, 

Membership Year 2027 is off to a busy start, and we’re excited about the momentum we’re building together.

This month, we’re asking you to lend your voice to several important initiatives that support AANA’s strategic priorities and the future of our profession. From advocating for CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist practice and veterans’ access to care to helping shape AANA’s position on artificial intelligence, your involvement matters.

Ask your senators to support removing CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist supervision

Sens. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) are asking their Senate colleagues to join them in a letter urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to permanently remove the federal supervision requirement for CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists.

The deadline for senators to sign on is Oct. 9, so now is the time to contact your senators and ask for their support. See the first news item below for more information and detailed instructions.

Support timely anesthesia care for veterans

We also need your help building support for the Ensuring Veterans Timely Access to Anesthesia Care Act of 2025 (H.R.2234).

Introduced by Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL), the legislation would remove barriers that limit veterans’ access to timely anesthesia care within the Veterans Health Administration. It would align VHA policy with current Defense Health Agency policy while helping increase access to care and strengthen safety and transparency within the VHA. Please contact your legislator and urge them to cosponsor this important legislation.

Help shape AANA’s position on artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing health care, and CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists should have a voice in how this technology is used in anesthesia care.

AANA has developed a new draft position statement outlining principles for the responsible use of AI while preserving patient safety, human oversight, and CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist clinical judgment. We encourage you to review the draft and share your feedback during the open comment period, Sept. 28–Oct. 8.

Join us for an AANA Member Town Hall

Finally, we hope you’ll join AANA President Tracy Young, MSNA, MBA, CRNA, for a live AANA Member Town Hall on Oct. 14 at 5 p.m. CT. This is your opportunity to hear directly from President Young about AANA’s work, why it matters and what’s ahead—then join the conversation. You can submit a question in advance or participate in the live Q&A. Register for the town hall and submit your questions here.

Thank you for your support through your AANA membership and for everything you do each day for your patients, your communities, and the nurse anesthesiology profession.

Sincerely,

The AANA Board of Directors

In This Issue

• AANA Issues Statement and Resources Clarifying CMS Requirements for Resident Participation in Hospital Teaching Cases
• Ask Your Senators to Sign on to Letter Requesting CMS Remove CRNA Supervision
• AANA President Tracy Young Discusses, CRNAs, AAs, and the Anesthesia Workforce Shortages
• AANA Meets with Governors’ Senior Staff
• CMS Releases 2025 MIPS Performance Feedback Reports

Advocacy Updates

AANA Issues Statement and Resources Clarifying CMS Requirements for Resident Participation in Hospital Teaching Cases

AANA issued a statement regarding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) requirements related to the participation of Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs), also referred to as Resident Registered Nurse Anesthetists (RRNA), in anesthesia teaching cases. The statement clarifies that SRNAs/RRNAs are permitted to participate in teaching cases, including those in hospital settings, under CMS requirements and that there is no basis to warrant the removal of SRNAs/RRNAs or the need for facility bylaw overhauls.

To help educators and clinical sites understand the requirements and preserve clinical leaning opportunities, AANA has also developed a fact sheet. Additional resources, along with the Joint Commission’s FAQ on its hospital accreditation standards, are available on AANA’s Educator Hub.

Ask Your Senators to Sign on to Letter Requesting CMS Remove CRNA Supervision

Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) are asking senators to join them in a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting that CMS permanently remove the supervision requirement for CRNAs. The letter is being circulated now with a deadline of Oct. 9. Urge your senators to sign the letter telling CMS to take swift action to eliminate this burdensome requirement today.

1. Click here and follow the prompts to contact your U.S. senators. You will be directed to a sample email.
2. Please personalize the message so it reflects your experience as a constituent and CRNA or resident.
3. Click “send letter.”
4. Share this call to action with your friends, family, and colleagues and encourage them to participate.

Contact AANA Federal Government Affairs at info@aanadc.com. Thank you for being a CRNAdvocate!

AANA President Tracy Young Discusses, CRNAs, AAs, and the Anesthesia Workforce Shortages

In a recent article in Becker’s ASC Review, AANA President Tracy Young, MSN, MBA, CRNA, answered the question, “As CRNAs gain independent-practice authority in more states, could expanding the anesthesiologist assistant pipeline relieve staffing shortages?” He discussed the flexibility CRNAs bring to the anesthesia workforce, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Read the article.

AANA Meets with Governors’ Senior Staff

AANA’s State Government Affairs (SGA) staff attended the Republican Governors Association’s Senior Staff Retreat, from Sept. 16-18, in Dana Point, California. The meeting featured chiefs of staff, senior policy advisors, and other decision makers for Republican governors. SGA staff used the opportunity to push for removing unnecessary restrictions on CRNA practice, such as opting out from federal supervision requirements, and educated staff on the importance of maintaining parity in reimbursement for anesthesia services. SGA staff will be attending another senior staff meeting for the Democratic Governors Association next month.

CMS Releases 2025 MIPS Performance Feedback Reports

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) released Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) performance data to clinicians who submitted data for the 2025 Performance Year. CRNAs who participated in MIPS can find their performance reports by accessing their Quality Payment Program (QPP) accounts. The reports include MIPS Final Scores, which determine payment adjustments for calendar year 2027. If you need help interpreting your performance data, CMS published the 2025 MIPS Performance FAQs and Fact Sheet.

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.