Bill Summary
The resolution recognizes the significant contributions of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to the American healthcare system over the past 150 years. It highlights their role as the first anesthesia providers, their safe administration of over 58 million anesthetics annually, and their essential services in rural and medically underserved areas. The resolution also emphasizes the diverse practice settings of CRNAs, including hospitals, surgical centers, and military facilities. To promote awareness of their vital work, the resolution designates January 18-24, 2026, as National CRNA Week, encouraging recognition and celebration of the 69,000 CRNAs and student nurse anesthetists across the nation. The House of Representatives expresses gratitude for their dedicated service and urges various stakeholders to fully utilize their skills and participate in the observance of National CRNA Week.
Possible Impacts
The resolution recognizing the roles and contributions of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) can affect people in several significant ways:
1. **Improved Access to Anesthesia Care**: By highlighting the essential role of CRNAs, especially in rural and underserved areas, the resolution can lead to increased awareness and support for utilizing CRNAs in various healthcare settings. This can result in improved access to anesthesia services for patients who may otherwise experience delays or lack of care due to a shortage of anesthesiologists in these regions.
2. **Enhanced Patient Safety and Quality of Care**: The resolution emphasizes the extensive experience and training of CRNAs, who safely administer millions of anesthetics each year. Recognizing their contributions may encourage healthcare facilities to integrate CRNAs more effectively into their teams, which can enhance overall patient safety, outcomes, and satisfaction in surgical and pain management procedures.
3. **Increased Recognition and Support for CRNA Profession**: By promoting National CRNA Week and encouraging the public and healthcare stakeholders to recognize the work of CRNAs, the resolution can foster greater appreciation for the profession. This recognition may lead to better job satisfaction for CRNAs, increased recruitment into the field, and potentially more funding for education and training programs, ultimately benefiting the healthcare system and the patients it serves.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1019 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1019
Recognizing the roles and the contributions of America's Certified
Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and their critical role in
providing quality health care for the public and our Nation's Armed
Forces, for more than 150 years and through multiple public health
emergencies and beyond.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 23, 2026
Ms. Schakowsky (for herself, Mr. Joyce of Ohio, Mr. Tonko, and Ms.
Bonamici) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the roles and the contributions of America's Certified
Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and their critical role in
providing quality health care for the public and our Nation's Armed
Forces, for more than 150 years and through multiple public health
emergencies and beyond.
Whereas Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are essential to
America's health care system, providing high-quality, cost-effective
anesthesia and pain management care for more than 150 years as the first
anesthesia providers;
Whereas CRNAs safely administer more than 58,500,000 anesthetics to patients
each year;
Whereas CRNAs are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural America,
enabling health care facilities in these medically underserved areas to
offer obstetrical, surgical, trauma stabilization, and pain management
services for millions of underserved and at-risk people;
Whereas CRNAs practice in every setting in which anesthesia is delivered,
including traditional hospital surgical suites and obstetrical delivery
rooms, the offices of dentists, podiatrists, ophthalmologists, and
plastic surgeons, ambulatory surgical centers, and United States
military, public health services, and Department of Veterans Affairs
medical facilities; and
Whereas the purpose of National CRNA Week, held January 18, 2026, through
January 24, 2026, is to raise public awareness of and celebrate the
Nation's 69,000 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and student
registered nurse anesthetists: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives thanks and promotes the
profession of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and their
incredible, selfless, and dedicated service for over 150 years, by
encouraging patients, hospital administrators, health care
professionals, policymakers, and others to utilize CRNAs to their full
potential and to recognize the work of CRNAs by participating in
National CRNA Week.
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