WASHINGTON DC – With the support of veterans and nursing organizations, the newly formed Veterans Access to Quality Healthcare Alliance has unveiled a new website and advocacy tools educating veterans and the public to contact Congress in support of common-sense solutions to the problems veterans face in securing access to healthcare in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
“America’s veterans have been waiting in line for quality healthcare for too long,” said American Association of Nurse Anesthetists President Sharon Pearce, CRNA. “Even though Congress passed the Choice Act to help the VHA address its challenges, the wait lists are growing because more veterans need care. The time is now for the VHA to undertake a common-sense solution to recognize the VHA’s 6,000 advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to their full practice authority so that they can provide our veterans 100 percent of the care they are educated and capable to offer.”
Outdated and unnecessary policies in VHA facilities sometimes prevent APRNs from providing the full scope of healthcare services they are qualified and licensed to provide, leading to longer waits for veterans needing care and to wasted resources inside the VHA system.
“Making use of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and other APRNs to their full practice authority will reduce the waits and promote patient safety,” said Pearce.
The Veterans Administration, which is considering but has not finalized a proposal recognizing APRNs to their full practice authority, needs to hear from veterans and members of Congress to move this necessary policy across the finish line. To take action, click www.Veterans-access-to-care.com on a computer or mobile device and follow the easy instruction
About the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA)
Founded in 1931 and located in Park Ridge, Ill., and Washinton D.C., the AANA is the professional organization for more than 48,000 nurse anesthetists across the United States. As anesthesia specialists, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) safely provide more than 34 million anesthetics to patients each year for surgical, obstetrical, pain management, and trauma stabilization services. CRNAs are highly valued in today's healthcare environment because they deliver the same safe, high-quality anesthesia care as other anesthesia professionals but at a lower cost, helping to control rising healthcare costs. In the military, CRNAs have proudly and courageously provided anesthesia care to enlisted men and women, officers, and veterans in all branches of the military, from the front lines of VA hospitals, since World War I.
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