ASA Opposes Federal Nursing Scope of Practice Expansion Bill

Today, ASA announced its opposition to H.R. 2713, the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act, a bill that would grant so-called “full practice authority” at the federal level to APRNs, including nurse anesthetists. Among other provisions, the bill seeks to eliminate the Medicare supervision requirement.  Advocates for the bill include the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), AANA and other nursing organizations. The legislation was introduced on April 19 by anti-physician Members of Congress, Representative David Joyce (R-OH-14); Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), a nurse; Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9); and Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA-2), a nurse practitioner.

The “I CAN” Act compromises patient safety and quality and needlessly places the lives of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries at risk.

ASA strongly opposes this legislation and will continue to work with Congress and CMS to preserve safe, high-quality, physician-led anesthesia care for Medicare and Medicaid patients.