Greetings fellow Vermont CRNAs

I am finally able to send out this update after experiencing a total computer crash and losing a huge amount of data. 

President Carol Ruhlman and I attended the AANA Fall Assembly of States (FAS) on November 7-9 in St. Petersburg, Florida.  It was a very worthwhile meeting and I encourage everyone to attend next year in Tucson, Arizona.

AANA President Jackie Rowles presented her update on talks she had with the ASA.  Although the talks provided little substance in resolving continued disagreements with the ASA and their membership as they pertain to CRNA practice on a national level, there is optimism that issues important to CRNAs will be addressed after President-elect Obama takes office.  The ASA continues to assert that CRNA supervision is a must for quality patient care despite evidence to the contrary.

The AANA Treasurer’s report indicated that the AANA is financially strong despite the current economic crisis; however, the AANA was not immune to some loss of our investments.  The losses were less than many due to conservative investing.

The State and Federal Government Affairs reports were of interest in that, at the time of the meeting, several offices were up for grabs and many of the offices were contested by people who are considered “friends” of CRNAs.  In Maryland, Rep Frank Kratovil (D-MD-1) defeated state senator Andy Harris, an anesthesiologist.  Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) defeated John Sununu.  It was Jeanne Shaheen who, as Governor of New Hampshire, signed the Opt-Out letter for New Hampshire CRNAs.  Other “friends” include: Senators Max Barcus (D-MT) and Susan Collins (R-ME), and Representatives Bart Stupak (D-MI-1) and Michael Burgess (R-TX-26).

The CRNA PAC made contributions to 196 candidates of whom 90 percent won their election.  It is plain to see that PAC contributions can, and do, make a difference.  Please be sure to support our PAC so that the money needed to strengthen CRNA practice is there when we need it.  The goal for this upcoming year is to raise $1.75M by December 31, 2010.

Friday’s regional break-out sessions were held as a brain-storming session where each region put forth topics that members felt were important for AANA to prioritize during the year.  Our region (Region 1) discussed many things including staffing, supervision, AAs, billing and legislation affecting our practice nationally.  The AANA BoD then took all of the information gathered from each region and categorized it into segments that were discussed on Saturday.  While much of the information discussed was of a confidential nature, I can assure you that the BoD of AANA is working hard to insure that CRNAs continue to have strong practice rights.

Discussion at the Federal Political Directors luncheon revolved mostly around the new administration soon to take place in Washington.  Work is in progress for funding increases for RN/CRNA education and a stimulus package aimed at addressing the shortage of health care providers.  While it appears that the new administration will be favorable to CRNAs in general, it is the grassroots lobbying efforts of all of our members that can make or break favorable change.  With that said, I encourage all of you to attend the Mid-Year Assembly in April in Washington, DC.  It is extremely important, especially this particular Mid-Year Assembly, that we visit our new legislators in numbers thus showing our strength and resolve to be part of the solution to the health care crisis.  You can be sure that the ASA is doing whatever they can to restrict our practice rights by lobbying the new administration. 

The new legislators will be sworn into their new offices in January.  Please send your hand-written note of congratulations to their local offices.  Consider setting up a “meet-and-greet” appointment to introduce yourself as a CRNA.

I hope that you find these updates helpful and informative.  If there are any suggestions or concerns, please let either Carol or me know.  I will be attending the Federal Political Leadership Conference in Austin, Texas (my hometown), February 13-15.

Finally, we have 51 CRNAs in Vermont and the VTANA is in dire need of member participation and involvement.  Please consider an officer position or find out how you can help those of us who are in office strengthen your practice.

Thanks,

Mark Green, CRNA, MSN
President-elect VTANA

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