AUSTIN, TEXAS (Dec. 10, 2019)--The following statement regarding the Federal Trade Commission’s public comment on the Texas Medical Board’s proposed rule impacting Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists should be attributed to Matthew J.Mitchell, CRNA, President of the Texas Association of Nurse Anesthestists (TxANA):
“The Federal Trade Commission, in its public comment filed with the Texas Medical Board, makes clear that any proposed rule to restrict Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists’ practice by requiring physician supervision would be detrimental to our state’s health care system, limiting access to care and driving up health care costs for patients.
The FTC joins a growing chorus of health care providers and advocates who have voiced their opposition to this proposed rule. As the FTC notes, therule stands in conflict with current statute and bothAttorney General Opinions on the matter.
Texas health care professionals and leaders at the TMB should be guided by the maxim, primum non nocere, and table this unnecessary rule in order to preserve patient access and affordability for anesthesia care for all Texans.”
