We are only a few weeks into Membership Year 26, and as you can see from the news items below, we have much to report about our advocacy for your practice, patients, reimbursement, educational funding, and more.
Mandamus Lawsuit Update:
In our last message, we shared the news the United States District Court dismissed AANA’s Writ of Mandamus Petition to compel the Department of Health and Human Services to enforce the Affordable Care Act’s provider non-discrimination provision. While we are disappointed, the fight is far from over.
Last week, AANA filed a notice to appeal the dismissal of our case to compel HHS Secretary Kennedy to fulfill the government’s obligation to enforce the non-discrimination provision of the Affordable Care Act. The AANA respectfully disagrees with the prior ruling and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure private payor compliance with the law.
United Healthcare:
UnitedHealthcare’s policy to reduce reimbursement for CRNA anesthesia services by 15% goes into effect Oct. 1.
AANA continues to oppose this policy and similar efforts—on Capitol Hill, with federal agencies, and in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders. Most recently, the Federal Government Affairs team met with the Department of Labor to call for an investigation into the UnitedHealthcare policy. Outreach to additional federal agencies is ongoing.
As always, thank you for all you do and for supporting your profession, patients, and colleagues through your AANA membership.
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
Former AANA President Dru Riddle Takes Part in Congressional Briefing
AANA Releases New Resources on the Commercial Payer Landscape
AANA Submits Comments on CY 2026 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule
AANA Signs Onto Comment Letters to Department of Education on Student Loan Caps
Reducing Environmental Impact in Anesthesia: AANA's Latest Recommendations
Updated Practice Documents Approved at Annual Congress
September is National Suicide Prevention Month
And the Winners Are….
Advocacy Updates
Former AANA President Dru Riddle Takes Part in Congressional Briefing
On Thursday, Sept. 4, former AANA president Dru Riddle, PhD, DNP, CRNA, FAAN, took part in a congressional briefing on nursing issues. Riddle joined representatives from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Nurses Association, and Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research to discuss the shared priorities of the Nursing Community Coalition.
U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), one of the House Nursing Caucus co-chairs attended the event and spoke to the importance of nurses and funding Title VIII programs. During the briefing, Riddle spoke about his experience with Title VIII programs and their importance to nursing education, as well as the Improving Care and Access to Nurses Act and The Ensuring Veterans Timely Access to Anesthesia Care Act. AANA advocates for both of these legislative priorities, which are supported by the majority of Nursing Community Coalition members.
Former president Dru Riddle is pictured with Melody Eaton, director of Nursing at James Madison University (left) and Valerie Fuller, president of American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
U.S. Rep Suzanne Bonamici, co-chair of the House Nursing Caucus spoke to the importance of nurses and funding Title VIII programs.
AANA Releases New Resources on the Commercial Payer Landscape
As CRNAs continue to deliver high-quality anesthesia care, navigating the commercial payer landscape is essential to receiving fair and timely reimbursement. Unlike Medicare and Medicaid, commercial insurers have varying and often opaque policies, creating barriers that threaten practice sustainability, professional autonomy, and patient access.
To support members, AANA has developed two new resources:
Take advantage of these tools and learn what you need to know to advocate for fair reimbursement policies and promote access and value in care delivery.
AANA Submits Comments on CY 2026 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule
On Sept. 3, 2025, AANA submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) calendar year 2026 proposed rule for the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System. This annual payment rule from CMS is important for CRNAs as it determines the reimbursement policy for hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers for outpatient services. This rule often has proposals that can impact CRNA practice.
In this year’s proposed rule CMS reinstated a policy to phase out the Inpatient Only (IPO) List over the next three years, which would allow procedures to be reimbursed in the outpatient setting when deemed appropriate by the clinician. AANA urged CMS to ensure that the removal of procedures from the IPO list follows an evidence-based process.
The proposed rule also continues additional payments for non-opioid pain management services. AANA supported this but asked CMS to include additional payments for these services to the clinicians who perform them, not only the facilities where the services are performed. AANA also provided feedback detailing possible impact on CRNAs regarding requests for information on payment for Software as a Service and proposals for new quality measures which.
AANA Signs Onto Comment Letters to Department of Education on Student Loan Caps
The Department of Education is implementing provisions of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which would cap student loan amounts based on whether a student is pursuing a “professional” degree.
The FGA team signed onto two coalition comment letters submitted to the Department’s advisory committee responsible for implementation recommendations. The first letter, signed by a broad range of healthcare professions, urged the committee to treat all post-baccalaureate degrees in licensed or credentialed healthcare fields as professional degrees. The second letter, from the Nursing Community Coalition, provides evidence that advanced nursing degrees meet the criteria for professional degrees.
The committee’s recommendations are just the first step in this process. FGA will continue to monitor the issue and advocate for future CRNA/nurse anesthesiologists.
Significant News
Reducing Environmental Impact in Anesthesia: AANA's Latest Recommendations
The newly created document, Environmental Stewardship in Anesthesia Care, outlines a comprehensive strategy for reducing the environmental impact of anesthesia care. From limiting high-global warming potential (GWP) anesthetic agents like desflurane and N₂O, to optimizing fresh gas flows and minimizing waste in the OR, this guidance empowers CRNAs to lead in environmental stewardship without compromising patient safety. Learn how sustainable practices like TIVA, recycling, and proper WAG management can make a lasting difference.
Updated Practice Documents Approved at Annual Congress
The AANA Board of Directors approved the following updated documents at the 2025 AANA Annual Congress in Nashville.
Updated Joint Statement: Advancing Workplace Civility in Perioperative and Perianesthesia Care: AANA, AORN, and ASPAN have updated their joint position statement on workplace civility. This revision reinforces the need for clear policies that foster a respectful, safe, and professional environment in perioperative and perianesthesia settings—emphasizing education, accountability, and proactive measures to prevent incivility and support staff well-being. Read the full update.
Updated AANA Guidelines Support CRNAs After Critical Incidents: AANA has updated its Guidelines for Critical Incident Stress Management to better support CRNAs and SRNAs affected by adverse events. The revised resource outlines structured interventions, peer support models, and disclosure strategies to promote well-being, resilience, and patient safety throughout the care continuum.
Updated Guidelines Promote Safer Anesthesia Through Team Communication: The AANA has updated its Patient-Centered Perianesthesia Communication practice considerations, reinforcing the importance of pre-procedure briefings, structured handoffs, safety checklists, and open communication to reduce perioperative errors and enhance patient safety across the anesthesia care continuum.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness, promote hope, and normalize help-seeking. Suicide affects millions of people every year, yet too many struggle in silence. This month is dedicated to recognizing the warning signs for suicide, encouraging open conversations about mental health, and connecting people to proven treatment and resources.
If you are struggling, you are not alone. Call 911, go to the nearest hospital ER, or call/text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For drug or alcohol concerns, contact the AANA Helpline at 800-654-5167.
To all suicide loss survivors, grieving takes time and you deserve the space and time to heal. Visit https://afsp.org/loss for resources.
Congratulations to Resident Team 4, winners of this year’s hard-fought Anesthesia College Bowl at the 2025 Annual Congress.
The team members were:
Gregory Kjono, RN, of Florida International University
Randi Corley, RN, of University of North Florida
Mark Anthony De Luna, RN, of University of South Florida Nurse Anesthesiology Program
Maria Penella, RN, of University of South Florida Nurse Anesthesiology Program
Stephanie Wood of LSUHSC School of Nursing
Leanna Torla of Barry University Nurse Anesthesiology
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.
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