With many of the state legislatures having adjourned for the year, it is important to review our successes and identify where improvements can be made within our state-level advocacy. Going into this year, we knew patient safety was our number-one priority. Patients and their loved ones depend upon anesthesiologist-led and -delivered care. All patients deserve equal access to the highest standards of anesthesia care regardless of the patient's insurance status or the location where their surgical and anesthesia care is provided.
There are no shortcuts when it comes to patient safety. Patient safety issues addressed by state advocacy efforts include:
It has been a very busy year for our state components and ASA's Department of State Affairs. The State Affairs team reviewed approximately 1,000 pieces of legislation and 500 proposed regulations in 2023. Consistent with the principles above, the team's legislative agenda focused heavily on promoting and maintaining physician-led care,...