Politics New Hampshire

Specialties CRNA

Published

As you may know, Governor Jeanne Shaheen recently wrote a letter to the Center

for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issuing an opt-out of the physician

supervision requirement in New Hampshire that permits Certified Registered Nurse

Anesthetists (CRNAs) to practice without physician supervision. As a result,

the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) through their political action

committee (ASA-PAC) has unleashed a vitriolic attack against the Governor

through negative advertising.

Governor Shaheen is running for the U.S. Senate in a very close race and it is

clear that the anesthesiologists are attempting to undermine her candidacy.

They have begun television and newspaper ads that criticize her for the opt-out.

Their print ads stated in part:

"Governor Shaheen Just Put Your Life at Increased Risk with the Stroke of a

Pen".

The ad urges citizens of New Hampshire to "call the Governor today and save a

life. Maybe a loved one's. Maybe your own." Ultimately they're asking the

Governor to reverse her decision based upon "patient safety" grounds. The

implications are clear. Anesthesiologists are saying that CRNAs are unsafe

healthcare providers. They are saying that unless you are supervised you may

kill patients.

This terrible ad campaign has important implications. If they are successful,

the anesthesiologists will use this to dissuade other governors from issuing

opt-outs while at the same time defeating a friend to CRNAs.

Terrible behaviour from the MDAs and totally unwarranted!!!

The State Board of New Hampshire should organize all their members to vote for the current Governor. ANA and AANP should as well. She has the balls to call it like it is...isn't that the kind of leader NH needs?

Very unfortunate events, where can I read about this?

Is there an address that we can voice our support for the Gov.?

Try the AANA.com website, the above is a direct copy of what they sent me today, minus the part imploring me to contribute 1000$ to the election fund.

I will be ffollowing this one closely, as i have chosen the opt out as the topic of my professionalism paper for school. If I find btter links, i will post them for you.

Craig

in a post below. Why is it that nursing interest groups in general and CRNA groups in particular don't respond AGGRESSIVELY. If MDA's want a war then give them one! If I had the power I would have commercials up on the air which countered their unfounded accusations point by point. In addition, I would investitigate bringing a class action DEFAMATION suit against the PAC which ran the adds. Even if unsucessful they would have to DEFEND themselves in court and this might give them pause in the future. Nursing organization should be able to COLLECTIVELY significantly outspend their opponents. Especially, if they form alliances with HMO's and Hospitals on issues where their interests are the same (in this case cost control). Remember that an accusation that is not refuted is genearally accepted as truth by MANY people in the general public.

Roland:

I agree!

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