On May 7, 2015, Michigan Senator Mike Kowall (R-White Lake) introduced legislation that would allow hospitals more flexibility in determining the best anesthesia delivery model for their patient’s needs. While certified registered nurse anesthetists (“CRNAs”) provide the anesthesia care during most patient procedures – staying with the patient throughout the entire procedure – Michigan law still requires physician supervision of CRNAs. However, Michigan law does not even require the supervising physician to be an anesthesiologist or surgeon.
The proposed legislation would change this model and increase access to anesthesia care for Michigan patients in medically underserved rural and urban areas, while also containing anesthesia-related costs statewide. Under S.B. 320, Michigan hospitals could choose to keep the current physician-supervision model or move to a model that allows CRNAs to practice without mandatory physician supervision. If enacted, Michigan would join 40 other states that do not require physician supervision for CRNAs to administer anesthesia. The bill is currently in the Michigan Senate awaiting testimony before the Senate Health Policy Committee. More information on S.B. 320 may be found on the Michigan Legislature’s website, available here.
For more information, please contact Adrienne Dresevic, Esq., at adresevic@thehlp.com or (248) 996-8510, or Clinton Mikel, Esq., at cmikel@thehlp.com or (248) 996-8510.