Ensuring Veterans Timely Access to Anesthesia Care Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]
In Committee
Summary
Recognize certified registered nurse anesthetists as licensed independent practitioners by aligning Veterans Health Administration anesthesia rules with Defense Health Agency standards. The bill would set certification rules, require at least 25 hours of direct patient anesthesia care, allow suspension for noncompliance, and mandate GAO reports comparing outcomes and cost-effectiveness across anesthesia delivery models.
Show full summary
- Veterans and patients would see care organized into three defined models: anesthesiologist delivery, a certified registered nurse anesthetist under physician supervision, and a certified registered nurse anesthetist without supervision. The Comptroller General would produce a public report one year after enactment and annually thereafter comparing outcomes and costs for each model.
- Anesthesia professionals would face clear certification rules. Physician anesthesiologists must hold board certification and certified registered nurse anesthetists must hold certification from the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists, the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists, or a similar body, and must complete at least 25 hours of direct patient anesthesia care.
- Veterans Health Administration facilities and taxpayers would get a cost-effectiveness breakdown. GAO reports must estimate costs to VA facilities and taxpayers and show cost and savings impacts for taxpayers and veterans' households.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New rules for VA anesthesia providers
This bill would set new standards for anesthesia staff at VA hospitals. Physician anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists would need national certification. Each provider would need at least 25 hours of direct patient anesthesia care, not just supervision. The VA would suspend staff who do not meet these rules. It would also recognize certified registered nurse anesthetists as licensed independent practitioners, following Defense Health Agency standards.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]
IL • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Sponsored 3/18/2025
Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3]
NE • R
Sponsored 4/28/2025
Jackson (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]
MI • R
Sponsored 6/2/2025
Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/23/2025
Schakowsky
IL • D
Sponsored 6/24/2025
Carson
IN • D
Sponsored 7/7/2025
Bonamici
OR • D
Sponsored 7/10/2025
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 7/10/2025
Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]
WI • R
Sponsored 8/19/2025
Thompson (MS)
MS • D
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14]
OH • R
Sponsored 11/4/2025
Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]
PA • R
Sponsored 5/11/2026
Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]
VT • D
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/14/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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