After years of stalled attempts to modernize Oklahoma statutes dealing with Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), compromise legislation has cleared the full Senate.  Senate Bill 801 would bring Oklahoma in line with much of the country in how CRNAs are regulated.  The bill, authored by Sen. Paul Rosino, was approved unanimously.

“The crux of the bill still comes down to changing that regulation from a supervisory relationship between physicians and CRNAs to collaboration.  It’s exactly how 40 other states and the U.S. military do it. But this time we brought all the stakeholders together to hammer out a version they all could support,” said Rosino, R-Oklahoma City.  “This legislation is particularly important for rural Oklahoma where CRNAs are sometimes the only provider for critical access hospitals and other healthcare centers.”

While previous efforts to pass similar language never made it all the way through the legislative process, Rosino said he is optimistic about getting SB 801 to the governor’s desk this session.

“I think this shows when we work together, we can accomplish even better health outcomes for Oklahoma.  The CRNAs worked alongside the anesthesiologists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers to bring common sense reforms to the legislature,” Rosino said. 

Jennifer Schmitt is the immediate past president of OANA and said SB 801 will result in communities and hospitals having an easier time obtaining access to anesthesia for surgery and obstetrical care, providing immeasurable benefits for patients and the state.

“Leaders from the physician and nursing communities worked together as a team over the last year for common sense solutions to help Oklahoma become a top ten state,” Schmitt said. “Working together as a team is what healthcare is all about.  A negotiated agreement like what we have achieved today is something that should be an example for others.”

OSMA President Larry Bookman, M.D., also supported the bill.

 “The Oklahoma State Medical Association is proud to have worked with its health care partners on this compromise legislation,” Bookman said.  “We look forward to continuing our work toward better health for Oklahoma.”

Jeremy Haney, M.D., OSA president, also expressed support for SB 801.

“We reached a mutual agreement that maintains safe, physician led anesthesia care ensuring patient safety for all Oklahomans.  This legislation guarantees the collaboration between all parties with onsite physician presence during the delivery of anesthesia,” said Jeremy Haney, MD, President, Oklahoma Society of Anesthesiologists. 

SB 801 now moves to the House for further consideration.