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Bill Safeguards Access to Quality, Affordable Anesthesia Care

Bookmark and Share Raleigh, N.C. - February 14, 2017 -

The North Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists (NCANA) announced today that a bill introduced in the General Assembly, the Modernize Nursing Practice Act, will help patients continue to receive access to high-quality, affordable anesthesia care across North Carolina.

Representative Josh Dobson and Senator Ralph Hise introduced HB88/SB73 on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017. As co-chairs of the health committees in their respective legislative chambers, Dobson and Hise proposed the bill to solidify North Carolina patients’ access to quality, affordable health care. Primary sponsors of the bill are Rep. Sarah Stevens, Rep. Donny Lambeth, Rep. Gale Adcock, Sen. Louis Pate and Sen. Joyce Krawiec.

The anesthesia care section of the bill clearly defines nurse anesthesia activities that have been in the North Carolina Administrative Code for decades. These anesthesia activities are done in collaboration with physicians, dentists and podiatrists, each contributing their respective areas of expertise.

The bill does not expand certified registered nurse anesthetists’ (CRNAs) scope of practice or give them prescriptive authority. It maintains CRNA and physician collaboration when a CRNA performs nurse anesthesia activities.

“As I travel North Carolina in my role as NCANA president, I’m struck by certified registered nurse anesthetists’ devotion to their patients. CRNAs are passionate about caring for patients in their home communities--in all corners of the state,” said Kimberly Gordon, who presides over the 2500+ member state association.

"Clearly defining expectations for anesthesia care in statute is an important step to ensure patients across North Carolina can receive quality, affordable anesthesia care,” she said.

To view the full legislation, visit

House Bill 88: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2017/Bills/House/PDF/H88v0.pdf

Senate Bill 73: http://ncleg.net/Sessions/2017/Bills/Senate/PDF/S73v0.pdf

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