As we come to the close of 2015, the ASA State Affairs Department continues to work with state component societies on their pending legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts and prepare for upcoming 2016 initiatives. This year, every state convened its legislature and, to date, the State Affairs team reviewed more than 6,000 pieces of legislation and nearly 1,500 proposed regulations to assist state component societies in their important mission to protect patient safety in each state.
Next year, every state except Montana, Nevada, North Dakota and Texas will be back in legislative session. State regulatory boards meet in every state throughout the year, every year. State Affairs will continue to monitor and analyze this legislative and regulatory activity from all the states. While we maintain focus on our traditional issue areas – the physician-led anesthesia care team, pain medicine, certified anesthesiologist assistants, and truth in advertising – we will also...
