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Committee backs bill to codify independent practice for CRNAs
Summary
The House Health & Human Services Committee gave a favorable recommendation to Senate Bill 78, which would codify independent practice and expedited licensure for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). Supporters said the change preserves rural access to anesthesia care; no formal opposition was recorded in committee.
Senate Bill 78, which would codify independent practice and expedited licensure for certified registered nurse anesthetists, received a due-pass recommendation from the House Health & Human Services Committee after a presentation by the bill sponsor and supporters.
Senator Michael Padilla, vice chair and ranking committee member, told the committee SB 78 aims to "provide certainty" for CRNAs who have been practicing under an executive order since about 2004. "Our CRNAs provide an incredibly valuable health care option in almost all of our rural communities," Padilla said. He told members the bill would preserve current licensure requirements, scope of practice with care teams, prescriptive authority and expedite licensure to encourage practitioners to serve rural areas.
Angela Fritz, an Alamogordo-based CRNA who identified herself as the chief CRNA there, introduced herself as an expert witness and spoke briefly in support. Julia Ritten, senior director of government affairs at the New Mexico Hospital Association, told the committee the association "stands in support of SB 78" on behalf of its 47 community hospital members and the CRNAs they employ and contract with. "This bill would codify in state law the independent practice for CRNAs that has been allowed in our state for more than 20 years via executive order," Ritten said.
Representative Jones noted she had signed on and said she was "very supportive" of the bill. Representative Eleanor (E.) Chavez moved a due-pass recommendation; Vice Chair Herndon seconded. The chair announced there was no recorded opposition and the committee granted a due pass.
The bill’s supporters framed the change as preserving and expanding cost-efficient care options in rural communities; no committee member raised a formal legal or fiscal barrier on the record during the hearing. The committee’s recommendation sends SB 78 to the next stage of the legislative process with a favorable report.
The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript excerpt; the chair announced the motion carried after no opposition was raised.
