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AANA Supports ICAN Act for Comprehensive Nursing Care

On February 14, 2025, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) expressed strong support for the reintroduction of the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act in the 119th Congress. This significant legislative effort primarily aims to dismantle existing barriers that advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) face, thereby broadening their capacity to provide essential healthcare services nationwide.

The ICAN Act was propelled into the legislative arena by U.S. Representatives Dave Joyce (R-OH), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA). It aims to remove unnecessary regulatory encumbrances regarding the practice of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), fundamentally leveraging their competencies to enhance patient care. In a nation grappling with an acute shortage of anesthesia providers, this shift holds profound implications for both efficiency and accessibility in healthcare delivery.

According to AANA President Jan Setnor, MS, CRNA, Col. (Ret), USAFR, NC, there is a pressing need to pivot towards a system that prioritizes patient access while streamlining costs. “We appreciate the bipartisan support for the ICAN Act, which puts patients first by removing unnecessary barriers that inhibit access to care and drive-up costs unnecessarily,” said Setnor. “At a time when patients and consumers are looking to make government more efficient, the ICAN Act introduces sensible changes in Medicare and Medicaid policy.”

The legislation proposes several amendments that would benefit CRNAs significantly. For instance, it ensures appropriate reimbursement for CRNAs providing quality anesthesia and pain management strategies under Medicare. In addition, it permits CRNAs to order and refer patients for medically necessary services and prohibits unnecessary physician supervision of these practitioners in Medicare settings. The Act also aims to establish payment parity in teaching rules while facilitating CRNA services through Medicaid accessibility.

The AANA highlights the importance of CRNAs in the healthcare landscape, especially in rural and underserved communities. According to Gallup, CRNAs represent a critical segment of a trusted profession and are the predominant anesthesia providers in various military branches and within the Indian Health Service. Setnor, drawing on her dual experience as a nurse anesthetist and a veteran, articulated the essential role that timely, high-quality anesthesia service plays in patient care. “The care that CRNAs provide is foundational to a healthy America, enabling access to critical services including surgical and obstetrical care,” she noted, emphasizing the necessity of removing barriers to ensure continuous quality care delivery.

Furthermore, when anesthesia care is managed by CRNAs, healthcare facilities can optimize their limited resources, avoiding costly duplications of services that often arise in conventional setups. This optimization not only aids in improving overall patient outcomes but also reflects responsible fiscal management in healthcare, which ultimately benefits American taxpayers.

The reintroduction of the ICAN Act signifies a potential shift towards a more inclusive and capable healthcare delivery model. AANA stands firmly behind this legislation, embracing the goals of enhanced efficiency, reduced costs, and improved access to high-quality anesthesia services that CRNAs provide every day. To learn more about the ICAN Act and to advocate for its support, visit AANA.com today.

In conclusion, as discussions around healthcare reform continue to evolve, the ICAN Act stands out as a beacon of hope for those in the nursing profession and patients alike, promising to cultivate a more accessible and effective healthcare environment for all Americans.