CRNAs in Florida to require anesthesiologist supervision

[Tony35NYC]

I just read in a magazine about a House bill being passed that mandates that CRNAs in that state must now be supervised by anesthesiologists. If this passes the senate, wouldn't this be the end of the CRNA profession in Florida? After all, why would anyone use CRNAs if they would also have to pay for the supervising anesthesiologist? Where are the Florida CRNAs, and what do they have to say about this? I'm surprised to not see more political activity from them.

Just a thought.

[London88]

It is usually a good indicator for the CRNAs when the case makes it to the supreme court as is the case in New Jersey. If the supreme court agreed with the ruling of the appellate court then they would not have agreed to the hearing. Interestingly, the Supreme Court issued a stay on the BME's new rules on the very day it was to take effect. It is great that nursing has come together as one to support each other in these issues, and I am hoping that CRNAs, and the AANA will lend their support to other disciplines of advance practice nursing should an issue arise to restrict their practice.

[Brenna's Dad]

I'm astounded by the continuance of bills such as these. You would have thought that the past lack of success by various boards of medicine would serve as a wake-up call to stop these attacks.

From a quick read of the website, the attorney speaking for the BME, states, that the bill is needed, "To make sure that the Board of Medicine can discipline a physician who allows a nurse to perform functions that are beyond the nurse's qualifications." What does this have to do with CRNA practice rights?

[filasian04]

[i am in the process of finding out who i can send some money to assist them to fight for their rights. also, i have sent some emails to my retired friends (non-crnas) in florida asking them to contact their legislators.

the battle continues and we will continue to fight for what is right. it is my learned opinion that we need to explain that this is an economic, not safety issue. economics is usually behind most of these battles and the public needs to understand that.]

i sent an email to the florida legislators on health and families council. please send yours too! here's the list!

list of florida legislators on house health and families council

house health & families council

holly benson ®,

chair district office: 816 west government street pensacola, fl 32501-5306 [phone] tallahassee office: 402 south monroe street room 200, hob tallahassee, fl 32399-1300 [phone] e-mail: [email protected]

ed homan ® district office: 9385 north 56th street suite 311 temple terrace, fl 33617-5505 [phone] tallahassee office: 402 south monroe street room 214, hob tallahassee, fl 32399-1300 [phone] e-mail: [email protected]

aaron bean ® district office: 905 south 8th street fernandina beach, fl 32034-3706 [phone] tallahassee office: 402 south monroe street room 221, capitol tallahassee, fl 32399-1300 [phone] e-mail: [email protected]

dorothy bendross-mindingall (d) district office: bac bldg, suite 112 6600 nw 27th ave miami, fl 33147-7200 [phone] tallahassee office: 402 south monroe street room 1402, capitol tallahassee, fl 32399-1300 [phone] e-mail: [email protected]

bill galvano ® district office: 1023 manatee avenue west suite 715 bradenton, fl 34205-7829 [phone] tallahassee office: 402 south monroe street room 214, hob tallahassee, fl 32399-1300 [phone] e-mail: [email protected]

rene garcia ® district office: 3766 west 12th avenue hialeah, fl 33012-4126 [phone] tallahassee office: 402 south monroe street room 210, hob tallahassee, fl 32399-1300 [phone] e-mail: [email protected]

hugh gibson, iii ® district office: 916 avenida central the villages, fl 32159-5704 [phone] tallahassee office: 402 south monroe street room 210, hob tallahassee, fl 32399-1300 [phone] e-mail: [email protected]

gayle harrell ® district office: 121 s.w. port st. lucie blvd. port st. lucie, fl 34984-5099 [phone] tallahassee office: 402 south monroe street room 218, hob tallahassee, fl 32399-1300 [phone] e-mail: [email protected]

julio robaina ® district office: 6741 sw 24 th street suite# 19 miami, fl 33155-1766 [phone] tallahassee office: 402 south monroe street room 405, hob tallahassee, fl 32399-1300 [phone] e-mail: [email protected]

eleanor sobel (d) district office: 3365 sheridan street hollywood, fl 33021-3606 [phone] tallahassee office: 402 south monroe street room 214, hob tallahassee, fl 32399-1300 [phone] e-mail: [email protected]

shelley vana (d) district office: 1280 north congress avenue suite 100 west palm beach, fl 33409-6377 [phone] tallahassee office: 402 south monroe street room 405, hob tallahassee, fl 32399-1300 [phone] e-mail: [email protected]

[MollyS]

One of the many reasons that I chose to start on the path (starting August 05) to becoming a CRNA is due to the fact that there is that great solidarity and strength that has greatly escaped some of the other nursing specialties. Not that I think it is fabulous that nurses always have to fight for respect and justify what we do. It would be awesome if so many other areas of nursing were as politically motivated. I do, and will continue to, keep my watchdog eye on what is happening and will be happy to go to bat for my profession.

[ROBDANURSE]

One of the many reasons that I chose to start on the path (starting August 05) to becoming a CRNA is due to the fact that there is that great solidarity and strength that has greatly escaped some of the other nursing specialties. Not that I think it is fabulous that nurses always have to fight for respect and justify what we do. It would be awesome if so many other areas of nursing were as politically motivated. I do, and will continue to, keep my watchdog eye on what is happening and will be happy to go to bat for my profession.

I am an anesthesia student in Florida. Last month during CRNA day in Tallahassee we (students and CRNAs) blanketed the representatives offices with information about our opposition to this peace of legislation. The FANA does have a lobbyist who worked with us that day. Unfortunately, the students outnumbered the CRNAs at the capitol that day (total of about 50 people). The bill, HB 629, has passed two subcommittees by votes of 8-2, and 7-3, and is expected to pass the floor vote in the house. When questioned after the vote on why they voted as such, many reps stated that the bill was great, but there were concerns about political suicide, and pushing other, more personally important issues through the house later. (No, I didn't here these words directly from the reps mouths)! There were even reps with large amounts of rural consituents, the greatest impacted group, who voted for the bill.

If there is any silver lining here, word from the FANA is that the bill will not pass in the senate, where there are " serious concerens" about the impact on the public. Thank God the coffee is smellable there!

[Tony35NYC]

I am an anesthesia student in Florida. Last month during CRNA day in Tallahassee we (students and CRNAs) blanketed the representatives offices with information about our opposition to this peace of legislation. The FANA does have a lobbyist who worked with us that day. Unfortunately, the students outnumbered the CRNAs at the capitol that day (total of about 50 people). The bill, HB 629, has passed two subcommittees by votes of 8-2, and 7-3, and is expected to pass the floor vote in the house. When questioned after the vote on why they voted as such, many reps stated that the bill was great, but there were concerns about political suicide, and pushing other, more personally important issues through the house later. (No, I didn't here these words directly from the reps mouths)! There were even reps with large amounts of rural consituents, the greatest impacted group, who voted for the bill.

If there is any silver lining here, word from the FANA is that the bill will not pass in the senate, where there are " serious concerens" about the impact on the public. Thank God the coffee is smellable there!

Rob,

After watching the political developments going on there in Florida I'm not so sure the senate will kill HB 629. Florida NPs thought the same thing about SB2634 when it was introduced into the House and they also seemed convinced that the bill would never fly. (This bill restricts their practice and requires that they are directly supervised by physicians), and now they are scared to death that many of them will find themselves out of a job if the senate votes in favor of the bill. It will be interesting to see how this turns out.

[sherbcrna]

This is a battle between Anesthesiologist and CRNA's. Leave it to them because this topic has been around so many times now and there's no solution to it as of yet. If it should pass the senate, then it's in the best interest of the people. If they were elected by the people to pass these mandated laws, I am sure they know what is the best interest of the Florida residents. If things don't work out, then they'll probably reverse it. Peace to CRNA's and MDA's.

Maxs

Yes, I agree this is quite a battle. But what do you think will happen to the price of healthcare if all CRNA's are required to be supervised by an anesthesiologist? Perhaps you're not aware that approximately 65% of the millions of anesthetics delivered each year are delivered by CRNA's. In my state of NC, we have ~30 counties where citizens only have access to CRNA care because no anesthesiologist wants to be in these poor paying areas. Do you really think that elected officials know what's right for the public, when many of them don't know the difference from a CRNA vs anesthesiologist. Many only know who writes the bigger contribution check. Perhaps you need to do some research. Do you think there is an anesthesiologist in every doctors offfice and surgery center in the state of Florida? Guess again!

[jwk]

Yes, I agree this is quite a battle. But what do you think will happen to the price of healthcare if all CRNA's are required to be supervised by an anesthesiologist? Perhaps you're not aware that approximately 65% of the millions of anesthetics delivered each year are delivered by CRNA's. In my state of NC, we have ~30 counties where citizens only have access to CRNA care because no anesthesiologist wants to be in these poor paying areas. Do you really think that elected officials know what's right for the public, when many of them don't know the difference from a CRNA vs anesthesiologist. Many only know who writes the bigger contribution check. Perhaps you need to do some research. Do you think there is an anesthesiologist in every doctors offfice and surgery center in the state of Florida? Guess again!

65% of all anesthetics are also delivered in a facility where there are anesthesiologists. It is pure propaganda to state that 65% of all anesthetics are given by CRNA's with no MDA involvement whatsoever.

[Maxs]

Yes, I agree this is quite a battle. But what do you think will happen to the price of healthcare if all CRNA's are required to be supervised by an anesthesiologist? Perhaps you're not aware that approximately 65% of the millions of anesthetics delivered each year are delivered by CRNA's. In my state of NC, we have ~30 counties where citizens only have access to CRNA care because no anesthesiologist wants to be in these poor paying areas. Do you really think that elected officials know what's right for the public, when many of them don't know the difference from a CRNA vs anesthesiologist. Many only know who writes the bigger contribution check. Perhaps you need to do some research. Do you think there is an anesthesiologist in every doctors offfice and surgery center in the state of Florida? Guess again!

I couldn't disagree with you. You know that's how I exactly feel.

-1. Do you really think that elected officials know what's right for the public,

when many of them don't know the difference from a CRNA vs anesthesiologist.

-2. Perhaps you're not aware that approximately 65% of the millions of anesthetics delivered each year are delivered by CRNA's

-3. But what do you think will happen to the price of healthcare if all CRNA's are required to be supervised by an anesthesiologist?

1. If they don't know that, then they will know it when they start ozzing more money for health care. Isn't it what you want to get across, so they know the difference.

2. Oh, I am definitely aware. And I don't think it's a propaganda because an MDA cannot directly supervise 12 CRNA's. It's just a logical fact and we all know that this about money and superiority. No human ever wants to give up power.

3. It will fire up like an ignited rocket fuel. Is that correct?

Personally the only reason I posted what I said earlier was because I was pissed and felt powerless. I felt like someone amputating part of me without any anesthetics. It discouraged me from wanting to be a CRNA. If what I said offended you, I apologize, but since you're a CRNA you should fight your enemies by donating 30% of your income, to the law groups/senates/congress and etc who can further help you protect your title because numbers can mean more than words.

Maxs

[sherbcrna]

65% of all anesthetics are also delivered in a facility where there are anesthesiologists. It is pure propaganda to state that 65% of all anesthetics are given by CRNA's with no MDA involvement whatsoever.

Signing one's name on a chart does not signify active involvement in the case. Are you aware that 13 states have opted out of medical supervision for CRNA's and there are many rural counties in this country where the CRNA is the sole anesthesia provider, so I think the numbers might be a little higher than you think. I don't consider this number propaganda, as in many places the MDA only attends induction and the CRNA manages the case as well as emergence.

[sherbcrna]

I couldn't disagree with you. You know that's how I exactly feel.

-1. Do you really think that elected officials know what's right for the public,

when many of them don't know the difference from a CRNA vs anesthesiologist.

-2. Perhaps you're not aware that approximately 65% of the millions of anesthetics delivered each year are delivered by CRNA's

-3. But what do you think will happen to the price of healthcare if all CRNA's are required to be supervised by an anesthesiologist?

1. If they don't know that, then they will know it when they start ozzing more money for health care. Isn't it what you want to get across, so they know the difference.

2. Oh, I am definitely aware. And I don't think it's a propaganda because an MDA cannot directly supervise 12 CRNA's. It's just a logical fact and we all know that this about money and superiority. No human ever wants to give up power.

3. It will fire up like an ignited rocket fuel. Is that correct?

Personally the only reason I posted what I said earlier was because I was pissed and felt powerless. I felt like someone amputating part of me without any anesthetics. It discouraged me from wanting to be a CRNA. If what I said offended you, I apologize, but since you're a CRNA you should fight your enemies by donating 30% of your income, to the law groups/senates/congress and etc who can further help you protect your title because numbers can mean more than words.

Maxs

Funny you should mention money and lobbying, because I do both in order to promote my profession. The CRNA's are on the hill in Washington this week (as I have just returned) as well as writing my big check to our state and federal political action committe. I will tell you, regardless of all the negative bickering between CRNA's and MDA's that the CRNA profession is the best job I could ever imagine. It has very liitle to do with the monetary gains (though many do enter the profession for that sole reason). I'd bet that a large number of my CRNA colleagues would also agree. If you like nursing, you'll love nurse anesthesia, so don't let the turf battle deter you from pursuing a career as a nurse anesthetist. Not a day goes by that I'm not thankful for the career path I've chosen. Didn't mean to beat up on you, but I'm very passionate about the CRNA profession.

[apaisRN, RN, CRNA]

CRNA profession is the best job I could ever imagine. It has very liitle to do with the monetary gains (though many do enter the profession for that sole reason). I'd bet that a large number of my CRNA colleagues would also agree. If you like nursing, you'll love nurse anesthesia, so don't let the turf battle deter you from pursuing a career as a nurse anesthetist. Not a day goes by that I'm not thankful for the career path I've chosen. Didn't mean to beat up on you, but I'm very passionate about the CRNA profession.

Can you tell us what some of the reasons are? I have reasons why I think I will like anesthesia, but would love to hear it from someone who's actually doing it.