DOWNLOAD THE PRESS RELEASE
Gov. Ducey signs SB 1336, measure that removes anti-competitive barriers, improves patient access to health care
Image courtesy of ktar.com
PHOENIX – The Arizona Nurses Association applauds Gov. Doug Ducey for standing with Arizona nurses, patients and health care professionals by signing into law SB 1336 (nurse anesthetists; prescribing authority; limitation) – legislation that will expand access to care and streamline needless and anti- competitive regulation.
By clarifying ambiguous statute and updating century-old policy to reflect current health care practice, SB 1336 offers a simple solution that will empower hundreds of Arizona’s Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to do the job they love and were trained for: providing safe, quality and affordable care to Arizona patients.
Specifically, SB 1336:
Enables CRNAs to once again order the medications they require to do their jobs, authority they had prior to a legislative mix-up in 2012; and
Makes it clear that physicians are not liable for the work of CRNAs. This has been a point of confusion that hospital administrators say is hampering their ability to recruit physicians to work in facilities with CRNAs.
“This is a big win and a major step forward for our profession, for our patients, and for all of Arizona’s current and future health care professionals,” said Robin Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Arizona Nurses Association. “This has been a long, hard-fought effort. We are grateful to Sen. Nancy Barto for sponsoring this legislation, and to the countless Arizona nurses, physicians and health care professionals who supported the effort. Most of all, we appreciate Gov. Ducey for signing SB 1336 into law.”
Joseph Rodriguez, President of the Arizona Association of Nurse Anesthetists, said SB 1336 is critical for CRNAs, who are the primary providers of anesthesia care in many rural and underserved communities.
Said Rodriguez –“On behalf of the more than 800 CRNAs currently practicing in Arizona and the patients who will benefit from expanded access to quality, affordable care: Thank you, Gov. Ducey.”