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Utah House rejects bill to license anesthesiologist assistants after heated debate
Summary
The Utah House debated House Bill 269 to authorize anesthesiologist assistants (AAs) to practice under direct supervision of anesthesiologists; supporters argued it expands workforce options and preserves patient choice, while opponents warned of safety risks and market disruption. The House recorded 32 yes and 41 no, and the bill was sent to staff for filing.
Representative Julie Fisher, the bill sponsor, asked the House to allow a supervised anesthesiologist assistant pathway, saying the role has existed nationally since 1971 and arguing it would expand training and hiring options for physicians and patients. “This practice of having anesthesiology assistants has been around since 1971,” Fisher said, adding that the proposed program requires a BS in the sciences, a rigid premedical curriculum, a minimum GPA and MCAT and direct supervision by an anesthesiologist.
Opponents framed the bill as unnecessary in Utah and potentially harmful to patient safety and existing providers. “I believe that this bill addresses no currently existing identifiable need in the…
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