Our goal as Nurse Anesthesiologists is to achieve full national recognition for independent practice, ensuring that all patients, regardless of location, have access to high-quality anesthesia care. Central to this effort is the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act, which seeks to remove unnecessary practice barriers that hinder Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) from practicing to the full extent of their training. This legislation is particularly crucial for expanding access to care in underserved and rural areas, where CRNAs are often the sole providers of anesthesia services.
The ICAN Act, supported by the AANA, would not only reduce physician supervision requirements but also ensure that CRNAs can offer comprehensive anesthesia services under Medicare and Medicaid. The reality is that outcomes between CRNAs and physician anesthesiologists remain the same, and patient care should never be compromised by outdated regulations that limit practice based on educational pathways, not clinical effectiveness.
This proposed legislation aligns with broader healthcare recommendations to enhance access, quality, and value in patient care across the nation.
https://www.aana.com/news/nursing-associations-applaud-legislation-to-remove-practice-barriers/
https://www.aana.com/news/ican-act-increases-patient-access-to-high-quality-healthcare-3/
Recent Proposal 2020:
