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H.J.R. 17

             1     

JOINT RESOLUTION ON ELIMINATING FEDERAL

             2     
REGULATION AND GRANTING NURSE

             3     
ANESTHETISTS A FULL SCOPE OF PRACTICE

             4     
THROUGH A STATE OPT OUT

             5     
2013 GENERAL SESSION

             6     
STATE OF UTAH

             7     
Chief Sponsor: Francis D. Gibson

             8     
Senate Sponsor: ____________

             9     
             10      LONG TITLE
             11      General Description:
             12          This joint resolution of the Legislature supports the existing scope of practice
             13      provisions under the Utah Nurse Practice Act that allow a certified registered nurse
             14      anesthetist (CRNA) to practice without the supervision of a physician and urges the
             15      state to formally opt out of the federal physician supervision requirements of 42 CFR
             16      416.42.
             17      Highlighted Provisions:
             18          This resolution:
             19          .    urges the state to opt out of the current federal requirement that a physician
             20      supervise a CRNA when the CRNA is administering anesthesia, which currently
             21      conflicts with existing provisions of the Utah Nurse Practice Act.
             22      Special Clauses:
             23          None
             24     
             25      Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             26          WHEREAS, in 2001 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a rule that
             27      allowed states to formally opt out of the physician-supervision requirements of 42 CFR 416.42,


             28      and would direct Medicare to reimburse services provided by a certified registered nurse
             29      anesthetist regardless if the certified registered nurse anesthetist is supervised by a physician;
             30          WHEREAS, the federal supervision requirement is inconsistent with Title 58, Chapter
             31      31B, Nurse Practice Act, and the rules created by the Utah Board of Nursing under this act,
             32      which state that only a request of a licensed professional is necessary in order for a certified
             33      registered nurse anesthetist to administer anaesthesia;
             34          WHEREAS, the current federal supervision requirement for certified registered nurse
             35      anesthetists creates confusion for medical facilities and surgeons, and will continue to create
             36      confusion absent the state opting out of the requirement, regarding the level of required
             37      supervision for certified registered nurse anesthetists;
             38          WHEREAS, Title 58, Chapter 31B, Nurse Practice Act, provides certified registered
             39      nurse anesthetists with independence of practice, while federal rulings cause certified registered
             40      nurse anesthetists continued difficulty in seeking reimbursement for rendered services, a state
             41      opt out would eliminate these reimbursement issues for services rendered by a certified
             42      registered nurse anesthetist; and
             43          WHEREAS, certified registered nurse anesthetists are currently practicing
             44      independently statewide and a state opt out would allow certified registered nurse anesthetists
             45      within the state of Utah to continue providing publicly accessible, quality care to patients in a
             46      safe manner without federal oversight and penalties:
             47          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
             48      wholeheartedly supports that the state formally opt out of the federal requirement that certified
             49      registered nurse anesthetists be supervised by a physician.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-26-13 10:25 AM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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