As we begin Membership Year 2026, we are excited to work with you to advance our profession. We thank the membership year 2025 Board for their service and accomplishments, and we pledge to carry that momentum forward as we take on the opportunities and challenges of a new year.
It is especially fitting to share our first message on Labor Day, a day that honors the dignity of work. Whether you are a CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist, RRNA, or RN/APRN, there is no work more meaningful than the path you have chosen—saving lives, easing suffering, and standing by patients when they need you most.
You bring patients safely through surgery and childbirth. You care for service members and veterans. You expand access to care in rural and underserved areas, helping to ensure that anesthesia for surgery, obstetrical care, and pain management are available to patients who might otherwise need to travel long distances. You guide and mentor the next generation of providers. And you do all of this with skill, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to those you serve.
Thank you for the countless ways you make a difference, and for the honor of serving as your Board of Directors.
On behalf AANA, we wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Labor Day.
New Resource Clarifies Misconceptions about Physician Supervision and Medical Direction
AANA Staff Meets with Leaders from 15 State Associations at Annual Congress
Mandamus Lawsuit Update
AANA Issues Statement on Court’s Dismissal of AANA’s Petition to Compel HHS to Enforce ACA Provider Non-Discrimination Provision
The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology issued the following statement on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
Last year, 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 non-discrimination provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) against insurance companies and health plans. HHS subsequently filed a Motion to Dismiss AANA’s petition. Today, the court granted HHS’ Motion to Dismiss.
“We are very disappointed to learn of the court’s ruling,” stated AANA President Jeff Molter, MSN, MBA, CRNA. “However, AANA will continue to evaluate and pursue all available legal options on behalf of our membership and remain focused on advocacy efforts against provider discrimination to ensure patients’ access to care.”
Advocacy Updates
AANA Applauds Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s Decision to Allow CRNAs to Practice to the Top of their Training
AANA applauds and supports the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s (VAMC) recent decision to adopt a proven, patient-focused anesthesia care model that will ensure that veterans continue to receive the care they deserve. Read more.
AANA Seeks Stories on the Impact of QZ Reimbursement Cuts
In recent years, commercial payers have reimbursed CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists at lower rates than physician anesthesiologists for services provided without medical direction (identified by the QZ HCPCS modifier). The latest example came on July 1, when UnitedHealthcare (UHC) announced a 15% reimbursement cut for anesthesia services billed with the QZ modifier—when CRNA/nurse anesthesiologists practice independently—effective Oct. 1, 2025.
In response, AANA issued a public statement condemning this policy and sent UHC a cease-and-desist letter. We are engaging in national organizations, coordinating with state associations, and activating hospitals, surgery centers, rural stakeholders, and insurance commissioners to demand that UHC reverse course.
As part of these efforts, we ask AANA members to share real-world stories about how reimbursement cuts—whether from UHC, Cigna, Anthem, or others—are already affecting care delivery, staffing, and access. We are especially interested in stories showing how reimbursement reductions affect patient access to care. If you or your colleagues are seeing these impacts, please share your experience at info@aanadc.com.
Summer 2025 Meetings Provide AANA with Opportunities to Engage With State Governors and Legislators
National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Summit: AANA welcomed more than 9,000 state legislators, legislative and executive agency staff, and representatives from trade and professional associations to its booth at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit in Boston, Aug. 5–6. The event marked the 50th anniversary of NCSL and drew nearly twice as many attendees as the previous year. The 2025 meeting provided an invaluable opportunity to engage informally with legislators and their staff from all 50 states.
AANA’s exhibit booth was staffed by local volunteers from the Massachusetts Association of Nurse Anesthesiology: Min Penny, RN; Faith Koroma-Coker, RN; Sarah Fredriksson, CRNA; Melissa Croad, CRNA; and Glenn Colassi, CRNA. Lesley Arca, JD, associate director of state government affairs, and JP Mason, BA, associate director of state and political affairs, represented AANA at the exhibit booth. The State Government Affairs Division thanks the Massachusetts Association of Nurse Anesthesiology and Northeastern University for coordinating local volunteers, and all the volunteers who helped make the event a success.
Pictured from left to right are Min Penny, RN; Faith Koroma Coker, RN; Glenn Colassi, CRNA; and Sarah Fredriksson, CRNA.
Pictured left to right are Melissa Croad, CRNA, and Ohio Rep. Kellie Deeter, CRNA.
Melissa Croad shows an attendee how to intubate.
American Legislative Exchange Council’s Annual Meeting: The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is the nation’s largest nonpartisan, voluntary membership organization, comprising nearly one-quarter of state legislators and private-sector stakeholders. ALEC held its annual meeting July 15–18 in Indianapolis, Ind., with AANA State Government Affairs (SGA) staff in attendance. The meeting brought together more than 1,600 attendees, including nearly 500 state lawmakers from almost every state, and provided a valuable opportunity for SGA staff to connect with other groups that support issues important to CRNA/nurse anesthesiologists.
As a member of ALEC’s Health & Human Services (HHS) Task Force, AANA plays a role in shaping model policies for legislators to introduce in states across the country. Forty-four model policies were approved at the meeting in Indianapolis, including six from the HHS Task Force. Since 2005, 38 states have enacted ALEC HHS Task Force model policies.
Democratic Governors Association Reception: On July 31, AANA State Government Affairs (SGA) staff attended a Democratic Governors Association (DGA) reception in Madison, Wis. SGA staff and CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist volunteers met with several governors to educate them on CRNA practice, including the need to remove unnecessary barriers. The event supported AANA’s continued advocacy for CRNA practice at the state level.
Wisconsin Association of Nurse Anesthetists President Christine Roth, CRNA, is pictured here with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers.
AANA CEO Discusses His Role and AANA’s Importance to CRNAs
In What If the AANA Disappeared? Inside the CEO’s Role with Bill Bruce he explains how AANA sets priorities, allocates resources, and adapts to both internal goals and external threats—highlighting why the organization's absence would have an immediate impact on CRNA/nurse anesthesiologists across the country.
On July 17, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY 2026 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) Proposed Rule. OPPS is significant because it reimburses hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers for outpatient services and includes policies that could have implications for CRNAs. AANA has prepared a high-level overview and continues to analyze this proposed rule and will submit comments ahead of the Sept. 15, 2025, deadline.
New Resource Clarifies Misconceptions about Physician Supervision and Medical Direction
To address common misconceptions about Medicare Part A “physician supervision” and Medicare Part B “medical direction,” AANA has developed a new resource. It’s available now on AANA’s website, accessible through the reimbursement page.
AANA Staff Meets with Leaders from 15 State Associations at Annual Congress
AANA staff from the State Government Affairs and State Management Support Services divisions met with leaders from 15 state associations at Annual Congress in Nashville. Sessions with state leaders focused on infrastructure, governance, and state government relations matters, including legislative and regulatory issues and working with attorneys and lobbyists.
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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