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Dear Colleagues,
On this Labor Day, the AANA Board of Directors would like to take a moment to recognize the dedication and hard work of our members. Labor Day is more than just a long weekend; it’s a time to celebrate the contributions of workers across all fields, particularly those in healthcare.
Each day, you make a difference in countless lives, ensuring the safety and comfort of patients during some of their most vulnerable moments. Your tireless efforts in providing high-quality care, advancing our profession, and advocating for patient safety exemplify the true spirit of Labor Day.
We extend our deepest gratitude for the essential work you do. Whether you are taking a well-deserved break or continuing your service over the holiday, know that your efforts are recognized and deeply appreciated.
Thank you for all that you do for your patients and communities and for being an integral part of the AANA community.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Final Rules for CY 2025. The final rules acknowledge two of the comments made by AANA. The IPPS reimburses hospitals for inpatient services, but also includes policies affecting inpatient hospitals that could have implications for CRNAs. While CMS did not accept our recommendation to pilot test collection metrics on anesthetic gases as part of their Decarbonization and Resilience Initiative, CMS did agree with AANA on the importance of uniform data capture. Per AANA’s request, CMS also clarified how anesthesia providers will fit into the Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM) model, the mandatory payment model for hospitals that test episode-based payments for five common, costly procedures. CMS stated, “The cost of anesthesia items and services are included in the episode and factored into target prices. Hospital-based anesthesia providers may furnish services to the TEAM beneficiary, be part of the care team, and could potentially be a TEAM collaborator…that has a financial arrangement with a TEAM participant that would allow sharing reconciliation payment amounts or repayment amounts.”
New Hampshire Enacts Reimbursement Non-Discrimination Bill Based on APRN Licensure
New Hampshire enacted a bill prohibiting health carriers from establishing payment or reimbursement provisions based solely on a participating APRN’s licensure. The New Hampshire Association of Nurse Anesthesiology was involved in advocacy for this bill.
National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Summit: AANA’s 30th Successful Year as an Exhibitor
AANA welcomed over 5,000 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 Louisville, Kentucky from August 6th - 7th. The 2024 meeting was an invaluable opportunity to visit informally with legislators and their staff from all 50 states.
AANA’s exhibit booth was staffed by local volunteers from the Kentucky Association of Nurse Anesthetists: Sarah Apel, RN; Anastasia Banks, RN; Amber Fiorello, RN; Gemma Davies, RN; Rachel Gardner, RN; Matthew Livingston, RN; Kamilia Stone, RN; Sarah Truman, RN; and John Wellbrock, 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 would like to thank the Kentucky Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Murray State University, and University of Louisville for coordinating local volunteers and thank all of our local volunteers for making this a successful event.
Pictured left to right: Sarah Apel, John Wellbrock, Sarah Truman
Pictured are Kamilia Stone and Matt Livingston
Pictured are Anastasia Banks and Gemma Davies
Pictured left to right: Sarah Apel, Amber Fiorello, JP Mason, Lesley Arca, and Rachel Gardner
SIGNIFICANT NEWS
Fraud Alert
AANA has reports of members receiving emails and Facebook instant messages from individuals attempting to obtain AANA's membership contact directory. AANA has reported the issue to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Fraud can take many forms. If you receive an email, social media message or request or phone call that you suspect is fraud, please contact AANA Member Services at (help@aana.com) or 847-692-7050 and, if you wish, report the issue at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/. To protect all your personal data, including AANA membership information, always keep your PC and mobile devices up to date with the latest vendor supplied updates. Also, it is critical that you do not share other members' or your information to individuals you do not know.
AANA Wellness Program Reaches 20-year Milestone
In 2024, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of AANA’s Wellness Program, a milestone reflecting two decades of dedication to supporting CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists and RRNAs through the challenges of substance use disorder and mental health. This journey includes pivotal moments like the creation of the AANA Helpline and the impact of COVID-19 on member wellness. Looking ahead, the Program continues to innovate with new initiatives like the Wellness Ambassador Network, underscoring its commitment to holistic well-being and resilience in the anesthesia community. See the video.
MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
Four AANA CRNAs Chosen for the American Academy of Nursing 2024 Class of New Fellows
Four AANA members have been selected to join the 2024 Class of Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing. These CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists or nurse anesthetists, and their cohort of more than 200 distinguished nurse leaders are recognized for their substantial and sustained impact on health and healthcare, will be inducted at the Academy’s annual Health Policy Conference, October 31 – November 2, 2024, in Washington, D.C.
The four CRNAs to be inducted as Fellows are Angela Mund, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, of the Medical University of South Carolina; Cheryl Nimmo, DNP, MSHSA, CRNA, FAANA, of the University of New England; Jorge A. Valdés, DNP, CRNA, APRN, FAANA, of Florida International University (FIU); and Jerrol B. Wallace, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, of the Uniformed Services University. Read more.
Three CRNAs Inducted as Fellows of the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing
AANA recognizes three CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists, who were recently inducted into the inaugural Fellows of the Academy of Diversity Leaders (ADLN) in Nursing at the National Black Nurses Association Conference in San Francisco, California.
The three CRNAs were selected in the inaugural class of 176 Fellows and inducted for their contributions in their work for equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice. The Fellows are Edwin Aroke, PhD, CRNA, FADLN, FAAN,FAANA, tenured associate professor, PhD program director, and NIH racial pain disparities researcher of the University of Alabama at Birmingham; and Wallena Gould, EdD, CRNA, FADLN, FAANA FAAN, founder and CEO of the Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program, and posthumously, Goldie Brangman, MED, CRNA, MBA, FADLN, former program director for Harlem School of Anesthesia and former director of the nurse anesthesia program at Harlem Hospital of Anesthesia (1951-1986) as well as the first Black AANA President, (1973-1974). 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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