Rep. Deeter's Healthcare Access Legislation Earns Congressional Approval

State Representative Kellie Deeter (R-Norwalk) today announced that a provision that she championed – and successfully had amended into the State Operating Budget, Am. House Bill 96 – has garnered Congressional backing. 

Her amendment, which grants the Superintendent of the Ohio Department of Insurance the ability to enforce federal law regarding reimbursement discrimination of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), is the first-of-its-kind in the nation. The amendment was a response to several private insurers lowering the reimbursement rate for CRNAs depending on the model of care in which they provided anesthesia services, a violation of existing federal law. 

“This is especially critical at a time when the viability of our hospitals – particularly rural facilities – is at risk. They are confronting Medicaid cuts, severe workforce shortages and persistent challenges in ensuring access to care. Discrimination in reimbursement for providers should not be based on provider type, but rather on the quality and outcomes of the care delivered” said Deeter. 

The need to address this issue received further validation yesterday when the United States Senate Appropriations Committee passed the Labor-Health and Human Services Appropriations language which included the following:

Reimbursement for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA): The committee is aware of recent efforts to reduce reimbursement for CRNA provided anesthesia, in conflict with section 2706 (a) of the Public Health Service Act. The Committee directs the Departments of Health and Human Services and Labor to take appropriate action to address this issue and protect access to anesthesia services in rural and underserved communities.

Representative Deeter’s amendment, along with the support of Congress, is a major victory for facilities and groups who utilize CRNAs as their primary anesthesia providers.