Recognizing the roles and the contributions of Americas Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and their critical role in providing quality health care for the public and the Nation's Armed Forces for more than 150 years and through multiple public health emergencies and beyond.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 67
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-24: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-07T20:42:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 67) aims to recognize the vital contributions of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to the U.S. healthcare system. It highlights their 150+ years of providing safe, cost-effective anesthesia and pain management, particularly in rural areas, the military, and during public health emergencies. The resolution also promotes National CRNA Week (January 19–25, 2025) to raise public awareness and celebrate the profession.
Key Provisions
- Background on CRNAs: Affirms that CRNAs are the first and primary anesthesia providers in the U.S., administering over 58 million anesthetics annually. They are essential in rural and underserved areas, enabling services like surgery, obstetrics, and trauma care.
- Practice Settings: Notes that CRNAs work in diverse locations, including hospitals, surgical centers, dental/medical offices, and facilities for the U.S. military, Public Health Service, and Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Call to Action: Encourages patients, hospital leaders, healthcare workers, policymakers, and the public to fully utilize CRNAs' skills and participate in National CRNA Week to honor the roughly 65,000 CRNAs and student anesthetists.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
None. As a non-binding resolution, it does not amend laws, create new regulations, or enforce requirements. It serves as a symbolic expression of congressional appreciation rather than a legislative change.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens and Healthcare: May increase public awareness of CRNAs' role, potentially improving access to affordable anesthesia care in rural and underserved communities. It could encourage broader use of CRNAs, benefiting patients by supporting cost-effective services without direct mandates.
- On Government Agencies: Indirectly supports agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs and military health services by acknowledging CRNAs' contributions, possibly influencing future resource allocation or training policies.
- On International Relations: Minimal to none, as the focus is domestic healthcare recognition.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- CRNAs and Students: Directly honored, with potential for greater professional recognition and utilization.
- Patients and Communities: Especially those in rural or underserved areas, who rely on CRNAs for essential medical services.
- Healthcare Providers and Facilities: Hospitals, clinics, and surgical centers may be encouraged to integrate CRNAs more fully.
- Policymakers and Government: Congress members and agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs, who could use this to inform health policy discussions.
- Military and Veterans: Highlighted for CRNAs' service in armed forces and VA facilities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal/Constitutional: No enforceable effects; resolutions like this are ceremonial and do not require presidential approval or create binding obligations under the Constitution.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support (introduced by representatives from both parties) for healthcare workforce recognition, potentially fostering goodwill in health policy debates. It underscores the value of advanced practice nurses amid ongoing discussions on healthcare access and workforce shortages, without advancing specific reforms.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-24: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-01-24: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Recognizing the roles and the contributions of Americas Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and their critical role in providing quality health care for the public and the Nation’s Armed Forces for more than 150 years and through multiple public health emergencies and beyond. — issued 2025-01-24 — PDF (2 pages)