US HB2234

Secretary of Veterans Affairs must update VHA Directive 1123 to recognize certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) as licensed independent practitioners, aligning VA standards with Defense Health Agency standards from November 8, 2023

Physician anesthesiologists must be certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology, and CRNAs must be certified by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists or Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists

All VA anesthesia professionals must complete at least 25 hours of direct patient anesthesia care (excluding supervision of other providers), with non-compliant professionals subject to suspension

GAO must submit annual public reports to Congress comparing outcomes and cost-effectiveness of three anesthesia delivery models: anesthesiologist-only, CRNA under physician supervision, and CRNA without supervision

Reports must include estimated costs to VA facilities and taxpayers, plus breakdowns of savings to taxpayers and veterans' households for each model