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President's AddressGregory G. Taylor CRNA, MS
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To the newly elected MANA Board of 2009-2010, to past board members, to the past presidents of MANA, for whom I hope to continue your remarkable legacy, AND especially, to all the CRNA's in the state of Maryland, I humbly accept the position of President.
We as a group, have faced many issues over the years: scope of practice issues; regulatory issues; the right to bill independently and practice independently. Last year we faced another challenge to our ability to practice in Maryland with the introduction of legislation to Open/Start a program at Johns Hopkins University for the training and ultimately the licensing of Anesthesia Assistants.
As you are all aware, we defeated this first attempt with a coordinated attack lead by past president, Michelle Duell, our lobbyist, Bill Kress, past presidents Kathy Nugent and John Bing, your MANA Board and a host of dedicated CRNA's, who all stepped IN and UP at differing times to write, call and visit legislators, and to testify in Annapolis on behalf of MANA.
I wish I could tell you that was the end of it, but you all are astute
and educated on this issue, and you know this will not die easily or quietly.
At present, MANA is actively continuing a dialogue with Maryland House and
Senate members, both sympathetic to MANA and those supporting Johns Hopkins
and the AA program. This is where our PAC money becomes so important. We
need the money to support our efforts through donations to political fundraiser's
etc. AND we need YOU, the CRNA's of MD, to speak to legislators in your
respective districts and make your voice heard.
Letters and emails are effective and noted, but nothing beats a face-to-face moment to introduce yourself, educate them about why an AA program is unnecessary and then ask for their support to defeat this onerous legislative initiative.
This battle cannot be fought by just the MANA board and/or the University of Maryland School of Nurse Anesthesia, but must be fought by All practicing CRNA's in MD.
A second issue facing CRNA's and our physician colleagues is the fast moving trend to take away "fee-for-service rights" in outpatient ASC's, GI centers, and even some plastic surgery centers by NON-anesthesia physician by creating a "legal" LLC Anesthesia Corp. pay the CRNA a flat daily rate, or hourly rate. Under their plan, the CRNA signs over billing rights to this "anesthesia corp.", which is then able to pocket the left over anesthesia gross.
This model has been long established in hospitals, with a number of Nationwide and some local companies negotiating a fee for the company and then paying the CRNA a daily/hourly rate. What is troubling is that the CRNA's are not able to negotiate the " fair market rate " for their services. They must accept the "going rate" or their services are terminated. These non-physicians are making as much as a 50% profit from our anesthesia services. CRNAs take all the risk, and yet they get the profits. Is this "Smart Business or illegal Business"; at best, we know it is unethical.
The Board of Nursing AND the Board of Physicians have jointly agreed to hear this issue. Stay Tuned!
The third and final point I'd like to highlight is dealing with the economics of a changing healthcare system. The landscape of the healthcare debate raging in our country presents many land mine's. We all have personal views as well as professional ones about the best outcome. However, it doesn't matter whether we are democrat or republican, supportive of this administration or not, the best approach is to have "a seat at the table". This is the approach the AANA has taken. It is better to be a "Player" in the healthcare debate than just cry "foul" from the sidelines. To that extent, we need to support our national organization with the same vigor and enthusiasm we give to our state. This means continuing to pay our dues, support our national PAC and give physical presence, letters, and emails when called upon.
WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Thank You,
Gregory G. Taylor CRNA, MS
President MANA