In response to growing concerns about patient access to anesthesia services in California, particularly in the Central Valley, Assemblymember Heath Flora (R-Ripon) has introduced two bills that aim to safeguard Californians’ access to critical anesthesia care. California’s Anesthesia Access Package consists of AB 876 and AB 1215 to clarify existing statutes and protect access to quality and timely anesthesia services.
“Regulatory confusions and misinterpretations have not only threatened the availability of essential anesthesia services in California, but also risked patient safety,” said Assemblymember Flora. “These two bills provide much-needed clarity to address workforce challenges, rebuild trust in our health care delivery system, and ensure quality care without disruption.”
Damaging allegations about care provided by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists/Anesthesiologists (CRNAs) led to significant – and unnecessary – disruptions in California, said Flora. Last year, the lack of oversight and clear guidelines regarding anesthesia care forced a hospital within Assemblymember Flora’s district to cancel more than 1,000 surgeries, disproportionately impacting Medi-Cal and Medicare beneficiaries. California must ensure its regulatory practices support all health care providers and facilities in delivering safe, high-quality care.
“We’re grateful to Assemblymember Flora for his efforts to stand up for patients, improve health outcomes, and maintain provider accountability,” said Emily Francke, CRNA, President of the California Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (CANA). “Together, we’re committed to protecting and – more importantly – increasing access to high-quality, safe, and timely anesthesia care for Californians throughout the state.”
Together, AB 876 and AB 1215, will amend the Nurse Anesthetist Act (Article 7, Subsections 2825-2833.6) and California Code Regulations Title 22 to establish clear guidelines regarding anesthesia services, ensure California health care facilities include CRNAs’ expertise in governance and decision-making, promote patient-centered policies, and improve access to quality anesthesia care, particularly in rural and underserved regions of the state.
California’s Anesthesia Access Package will align state law with common practice and federal laws governing CRNAs to ensure qualified anesthesia providers can continue to deliver quality care and support the evolving needs of California’s diverse population.
Assemblyman Flora represents the communities of Acampo, Copperopolis, Del Rio, Denair, Empire, Escalon, Farmington, Galt, Hickman, Hughson, Ione, La Grange, Lathrop, Linden, Lockeford, Lodi, Manteca, Oakdale, Rancho Murieta, Ripon, Riverbank, Salida, Waterford, and Wilton.
