ASA Participates in Congressional Roundtable on VA’s National Standards of Practice

The Health Subcommittee of the House Veterans Affairs Committee convened a round table this morning to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Federal Supremacy initiative.  Chaired by Representative Marianette Miller-Meeks, MD, a nurse prior to becoming an ophthalmologist, the goal of the roundtable was to educate members of the Health Subcommittee and bring transparency to the National Standards of Practice (NSP) development process. 

Suzanne Blaylock, MD, a former nurse anesthetist and ASA Delegate from Alabama, represented ASA.  Other stakeholder groups invited to participate included the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Medical Association, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the American Optometric Association and the American Academy of Physician Assistants.  Representatives of VA’s Office of Regulations, Appeals and Policies, responsible for developing the National Standards of Practice, took the majority of questions.   

ASA affirmed its strong opposition to the VA Office of Nursing Services (ONS) proposal to dismantle the team-based model of anesthesia care.  ASA raised concerns about the VA's lack of transparency and stakeholder involvement in the process, to date. ASA appreciates the opportunity presented by the Health Subcommittee and looks forward to continuing to work with the Committee, Congress and VA to ensure that all Veterans receive the safe, high quality anesthesia care that they have earned and deserve.