This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to update its standards for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) working in VA hospitals to match current Defense Department practices, allowing CRNAs to operate as independent licensed practitioners rather than requiring physician supervision in all cases. The legislation also establishes minimum qualifications for all VA anesthesia providers, including requiring physician anesthesiologists to be certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology and CRNAs to be certified by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists, along with completing at least 25 hours of direct patient care. Additionally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to submit a report within one year and annually thereafter comparing the cost-effectiveness and patient outcomes of three different anesthesia delivery models used throughout the VA system. The legislation affects veterans receiving anesthesia services at VA medical facilities and aims to improve access to timely anesthesia care by potentially expanding the roles CRNAs can play without supervision.
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