House Regulated Industries committee rejects change to physician-direction requirement for anesthesia

The House Regulated Industries Committee declined to advance a substitute to House Bill 251 during a committee meeting when members voted against the motion to pass the measure. The bill would have altered Georgia law that currently requires anesthesia to be “administered under the direction and responsibility of a duly licensed physician,” replacing that language with a definition of “coordination” between physicians and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and other anesthesia providers.

Supporters of the bill argued the change would expand access to anesthesia services, particularly in rural areas. Matt Oxford, president of the Georgia Association of Nurse Anesthetists, told the committee that 36 states have already moved to similar statutory frameworks and that CRNAs are the primary anesthesia providers in many rural counties. “36 states have already changed their legislation to remove, direction or supervision within their legislation,” Oxford said.

Opponents — including physicians and the Georgia Society of Anesthesiologists — said the substitute would remove an essential, statutory backup and risk patient safety by weakening the clear chain of command in operating rooms and high-acuity settings. Dr. Mark Newton, a member of the House and an emergency physician,…