Current CRNA legislation

[hell000nurse]

Hey all. I'm taking a health policy course now in preparation for starting CRNA school is Jan 2009. We are required to write an 8-10 page paper on any policy issue relevant to our clinical or educational interests.

Since I will be entering anesthesia school I've very interested in learning about what the latest and most talked about/controversial legislation/issues are surrounding nurse anesthesia. In my research I know I have seen a lot about medicare/medicaid reimbursement and about reimbursement parity with CRNAs and MDA's.

I would love to get some perspectives/information/opinions from CRNA's who are currently in the field and directly effected by these types of things. I've tried reading about it but its still all a little confusing to me as far as HOW exactly are CRNA's reimbursed, and how is that different/similar to MDAs?

Thanks for much in advance for all your help!

Andrea

[hell000nurse]

Wow, 223 views and not one response...I'm starting to get a complex

I'm looking into H.R. 1932 for my paper....any opinions/information would still be much appreciated!

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

H.R. 6331 Medicare Bill

PA:Legislation introduced to expand Prescriptive Authority to CRNA & Nurse Midwives

[tallone123]

I thought I would point out to the person with an inquiry as to a policy topic to write about regarding your CRNA-type policy paper, to look and get into anesthes. journal topics. If you don't understand certain topics, then go to one of your professors, contact certain professional associations, etc., who may have a much idea as to what's going on in the real world out there, for an interesting policy paper you and your colleagues could potentially learn a fair amount from.

I enjoy reading the journals a great deal, even though some of the material is above my head. It's always good to keep informed, even though you may not absorb all of the material on the first read.

As in any good graduate program, one probably needs to balance out their academic education with what's happening in the field that they will be entering in the near future.

Where do you go to school, and how do you like it? Good luck and tell us how it's going! I'd like to get into the school as well, but it's a ways off for me now, but later possibly...

[hellgirl-srna]

Hi Andrea!

I recently wrote a 10-page paper regarding political aspects of anesthesia. I included HR 6331/S 3101- the Medicare Improvements for Patient & Providers Act; HR 1932- the Medicare Academic Anesthesiology and CRNA Payment Improvment Act; and PQRI- Physician's Quality Reporting Initiative (Pay for Performance). All are currently hot topics!! Good Luck!

~h