We reject a two-tier system of anesthesia care for Medicaid in New York State
The redesign of Medicaid may lead to the following situation:
We do not support any fiscal or policy proposal that would sacrifice patient safety
especially when it is likely to have an unequal impact on our most vulnerable patients. On the basis of education and training, physicians are the most capable health care professionals for providing rapid diagnoses and decisive actions when adverse events arise during the perioperative period.
Physician anesthesiologists complete nearly twice as many years of higher education as nurse anesthetists and roughly five times more hours of clinical training. There simply is no comparison. A nurse cannot replace a physician. Who do you want protecting your life in an emergency?
If you or a loved one require anesthesia, would you want your care directed by a physician anesthesiologist with four years of medical school and four additional years of residency training, or would you feel comfortable in the hands of an unsupervised nurse anesthetist (CRNA) with only two to three years of graduate training?
Immediate Past President
Vilma A. Joseph, M.D. MPH, FASA
Team work is key in the perioperative setting and having a physician anesthesiologist supervising anesthesia care is crucial to patient safety.
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NYSSA Past President
Rose Berkun, M.D., FASA
It is our patients' right to have equal access to physician-led anesthesia care.
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Speaker of the NYSSA House
Tracey Straker, M.D., M.S., M.P.H., FASA
The Physician led care team working together for the safety of the patient is paramount. Our patients deserve the best care that education and experience can deliver.
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NYSSA Secretary
Melinda A. Aquino, M.D.
Patient safety is our number one priority. The Physician-led team approach provides the patient with the highest level of care when seconds count.
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