Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear announced Friday that the state will exempt hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers from the federal requirement that certified nurse anesthetists must be supervised by a physician when administering anesthesia.
The change is a necessary step in improving access to care in rural and underserved areas of the state, Mr. Beshear said in a statement. "In cases like this, where the federal requirement is an obstacle to some of the best options for delivery of high-quality health care, we're pleased to take this step to opt out," he said.
The Kentucky Society of Anesthesiologists is opposing the opt-out. "An opt-out would have dangerous ramifications to the patients of Kentucky and jeopardize Kentucky's ability to deliver quality medical care," a KSA press release said.
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The change is a necessary step in improving access to care in rural and underserved areas of the state, Mr. Beshear said in a statement. "In cases like this, where the federal requirement is an obstacle to some of the best options for delivery of high-quality health care, we're pleased to take this step to opt out," he said.
The Kentucky Society of Anesthesiologists is opposing the opt-out. "An opt-out would have dangerous ramifications to the patients of Kentucky and jeopardize Kentucky's ability to deliver quality medical care," a KSA press release said.
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