Moolenaar’s bipartisan bill ensures rural Americans can access physician anesthesiologists

To ensure patients have reliable access to anesthesia, U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) on Aug. 22 proposed a bipartisan bill that would allow rural hospitals across America to use Medicare funding to hire physician anesthesiologists.

“Michigan residents in rural communities deserve health care they can trust,” Rep. Moolenaar said. “That is why the Medicare regulations must be modernized and allow rural hospitals to use Medicare funding to hire and pay anesthesiologists.”

The congressman sponsored the Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act of 2023, H.R. 5256, with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) to ensure that Americans in rural areas can be cared for by a physician anesthesiologist when they require surgery. Under current law, hospitals may only use Medicare funding to hire non-physician anesthetists, such as assistants or nurse anesthetists, according to information provided by Rep. Moolenaar’s staff.

“I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation which will help make sure seniors in rural America have access to the anesthesia care they need for medical procedures,” said Rep. Moolenaar.

“Rural hospitals and health centers, like the many throughout my district, serve communities that would otherwise have no access to essential health care. But their remote locations present many unique challenges, including building and sustaining a strong workforce,” said Rep. Huffman. “Our bill would remove barriers for anesthesiologists to participate in rural incentive programs that are a critical tool for rural medical facilities to attract and retain the staff they need to care for our communities.”

H.R. 5256 is supported by the American Society of Anesthesiologists and has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee.