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Dear ASA Members,
The VHA Nursing Handbook and its proposed regulations granting so-called “full practice authority” or independent practice for all VA advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), regardless of state law, has moved one step closer to a formal release date in the Federal Register and a public comment period. We need you to be prepared to take action.
The Nursing Handbook proposed regulations or Notice of Proposed Ruling Making (NPRM) now titled “Advanced Practice Registered Nurses” have cleared the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and are currently under review at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)
The movement of the proposed regulation from the agency to OMB is part of the usual rulemaking process. Specifically, OIRA’s role in the rulemaking process is to ensure that any regulation ultimately issued by the government is consistent with current law, the actions and policies of other agencies and the Administration’s priorities. Once OMB completes its review, the proposed regulation will be issued in the Federal Register with a public comment period.
At this time, neither ASA nor its allies have been provided information regarding the content of the proposed regulation or when OMB’s review will be completed. A date of 02/00/2016 is listed as part of the information that is publicly available on the rule.
ASA strongly opposes the inclusion of nurse anesthetists in the VA’s initiative to grant “full practice authority” or independent practice to all APRNs. Indeed, since May 2013, ASA has led the effort to “carve out” or exclude nurse anesthetists from the Nursing Handbook. ASA leadership has met with VA leadership on four separate occasions. ASA grassroots and lobbying team have engaged over 90 members of the U.S. House and Senate, including members of the House and Senate VA Committees, in opposition to the initiative. Veteran organizations such as the Association of the U.S. Navy, AMVETS and the National Guard Association of the United States have joined ASA in opposing changes to the current policy. The strength of our case is demonstrated by the fact that the release date for the proposal, originally set for 2013, has been delayed for more than 2.5 years. We accomplished much, but much more remains to be done.
It appears likely that the proposed rule will be issued with the nurse anesthetists included as part of the “full practice authority” initiative. The VA leadership will be looking for information specific to the question of whether nurse anesthetists should be granted “full practice authority.” ASA plans a robust response to that question including the full engagement of our members and other key stakeholders.
If you and your colleagues have not done so already, go to www.SafeVACare.org and submit your comments. More specifically, please participate in our 1+5 campaign. Once you have submitted your comments, engage 5 other individuals - including your colleagues, friends and family - to also make their voices heard. Every single comment will count in this effort.
ASA will provide you more information about the proposed regulation, the Federal Register posting and our response in coming days. Stay tuned.
Thank you for all you have done over the past 2.5 years and for what you will do over the next few months to preserve the highest quality and safest anesthesia care for our Veterans.
Submit comments to protect Veterans care
More about the VHA Nursing Handbook
More resources to assist with outreach efforts (members only)
Daniel Cole, M.D.
President
American Society of Anesthesiologists
[email protected]
Manuel E. Bonilla, M.S.
Chief Advocacy Officer
American Society of Anesthesiologists
[email protected]
