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Anesthesiologist‑assistant licensure bill fails in committee after contested hearing
Summary
House Bill 12‑51 to authorize licensure of anesthesiologist assistants (AAs) was defeated in committee following extensive testimony from supporters seeking to widen anesthesia workforce options and opposition from nurse‑anesthetists who warned of increased costs and limited benefit in Arkansas.
The Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee declined to advance House Bill 12‑51, a bill that would have established licensure and a scope of practice for anesthesiologist assistants (AAs) in Arkansas.
Representative Lee Johnson introduced the bill and called certified anesthesiologist assistant Jennifer Stever to testify about training and practice. Stever described the AA education model (master’s‑level accredited programs, affiliation with medical schools, clinical rotations of more than 2,000 anesthesia‑specific clinical hours, and ongoing certification requirements) and said AAs work alongside anesthesiologists and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) in many jurisdictions. She said licensure would allow Arkansans trained…
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