AAAA Position Statements
AAAA and its members are dedicated to patient safety and improved access of care. As a result, AAAA has set clear guidelines for ethical standards, actively advocates for the Anesthesia Care Team model, and consistently supports transparency for health care providers. Below are AAAA's positions on various issues:
Statement on Proposed Student Loan Changes Affecting CAA Education
AAAA expressed concern over the Department of Education’s proposed graduate loan regulations that may restrict access to financing for students in accredited anesthesiologist assistant programs. The Academy underscored that consistent, workforce-informed loan policies are essential to sustaining the anesthesia care team and protecting patient access nationwide. Click here to read the full release.
The Department of Education is currently accepting public comments on the proposed rule through March 2, 2026. AAAA encourages CAAs, students, and supporters of the Anesthesia Care Team to submit a comment and share how these changes could impact CAA education and patient care. Click here to submit a public comment.
Preserving Rural Anesthesia Workforce Language in the FY26 Labor-HHS-Education Bill
AAAA submitted a letter to House Appropriations leaders urging retention of report language directing a congressional briefing on expanding the anesthesia rural pass-through program to include all types of anesthesia providers. Preserving this provision is critical to strengthening the anesthesia workforce and protecting patient access in rural communities. Click here to read the full letter.
Support for Medicare Payment Reform in the Senate Budget Package
AAAA joined more than 100 healthcare organizations in urging the Senate to include a critical Medicare payment provision from the House-passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). This reform would tie physician payments to inflation and help preserve access to care for seniors and underserved communities. Click here to learn more.
Statement Against CRNA Supervision of CAAs
AAAA opposes any effort to transfer physician anesthesiologists' supervisory responsibilities to CRNAs or other non-physician providers. Physician-led anesthesia care is essential for patient safety. Click here to learn more.
The Anesthesia Care Team Model
AAAA subscribes in practice, philosophy and training to the Anesthesia Care Team model. This model is grounded in a team approach to anesthesia management, with an anesthesiologist concurrently supervising anesthetists during the performance of all technical aspects of anesthetic. Click here to learn more.
Guidelines for Ethical Standards of AAs
AAAA membership is a privilege for those AAs who are dedicated to the basic ethical principles of health care. Click here to view AAAA's issued guidelines for ethical standards.
CAA Involvement in Regional Anesthesia & Invasive Line Procedures
AAAA supports the prerogative of an anesthesiologist supervising the care of a given patient to delegate the technical aspects of regional anesthesia and invasive monitoring procedures to an AA. Click here to learn more.
Provider Truth & Transparency
A recent proliferation of entry-level clinical doctorate degrees into the educational models of non-physician providers has caused a commensurate increase in the use of the title "doctor" in the healthcare system. Inappropriately, the title "resident" and "doctor" has been used in the clinical setting by students and graduates of these programs despite their non-physician status. This trend is a recognized source of potential confusion for patients concerning their medical care and has potential negative implications with respect to scope of practice infringement and conflict of interest, decreased professional diversity, increased health care costs, and aggravation of provider shortages. In an effort to promote truth and transparency, AAAA has taken the following positions. Click on each statement to learn more.
1. AAAA does NOT endorse an entry-level doctoral degree for AAs.
2. AAAA has compiled a detailed explanation of medical terminology for anesthesia providers.
Propofol & Non-Anesthesia Personnel
AAAA supports the position that anesthetic agents, such as propofol should be administered only by trained anesthesia personnel, under the supervision of an anesthesiologist. Click here to learn more.
Drug Standardization Support
AAAA supports the standardization of drug concentrations for anesthetic medications to reduce medication errors and enhance patient safety during the perioperative period. Click here to learn more.