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More than 1,000 Michigan Physicians Call on State to Maintain Physician Oversight of Anesthesia Care
The Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) joined the Michigan Society of Anesthesiologists (MSA) and several other prominent physician groups representing thousands of members in urging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to maintain Michigan’s adherence to the federal requirement for physician supervision of nurse anesthetists.
Opting out of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ physician supervision requirement would dismantle the anesthesia care team model in Michigan by allowing nurse anesthetists to administer anesthesia without physician supervision.
More than 1,000 physicians sent letters to Gov. Whitmer this week urging her not to opt out. They joined the Michigan Board of Medicine, Michigan College of Emergency Medicine and Michigan Radiology Society in opposing such a move.
“An exemption to the federal regulation is simply the wrong choice for patients and is clearly not what the people of Michigan want for their health care,” said MSMS Member and MSA President Neeju Ravikant, MD. “Removing physician supervision from anesthesia care threatens patient safety, raises healthcare costs and lowers the quality of health care at a time when families are struggling across Michigan. Employers such as hospitals and surgery centers would see larger bottom lines while Michigan patients pay the price.”
A March 2021 survey found 66% of Michigan voters oppose removing physician supervision of nurse anesthetists when administering anesthesia to patients in the operating room.