ASA Commends VA Secretary Collins for His Leadership and Urges VA to Uphold Safe Anesthesia Care Standard

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) submitted a formal correspondence to the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins commending him for his longstanding support for safe, high quality health care for Veterans. To that end, the communication urges the Secretary to reaffirm its commitment to safe, high-quality anesthesia care for Veterans by retaining VA existing policy, Directive 1123. This policy ensures Veteran access to physician-led anesthesia care and aligns VA practices with state licensure requirements and academic medical standards. ASA emphasized that any shift toward a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)-only model, as proposed by the VA Office of Nursing Services, would undermine care quality and contradict VA’s own evidence-based standards.

ASA highlights serious concerns about the proposed CRNA-only model, including documented adverse outcomes and regulatory citations at facilities utilizing the CRNA-only model of care.  The Society also referenced independent studies—including VA-funded research—demonstrating the risks associated with reduced anesthesiologist oversight. ASA called on Secretary Collins to reject any weakening of care standards and reaffirm Directive 1123 to restore clarity and consistency across VA facilities. ASA remains committed to supporting the VA in its mission to provide Veterans with the highest standard of care.