Murphy Leads Bipartisan Effort to Protect VA Clinical Care Quality
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., sent a letter to Secretary Doug Collins, Department of Veterans Affairs, alongside Congressman David Scott (D-GA) and 83 of his House colleagues expressing concern about the standards governing anesthesia care inside the VA health system.
"Our veterans deserve the highest standard of care, including careful oversight by trained physicians," said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. "The trend in medicine to allow nurses to assume certain responsibilities that medical doctors are trained to do is dangerous. The attempt to cut costs is noble, but doing so at the expense of quality and safety is unacceptable. I urge Secretary Collins to reconsider the proposed policy change that would authorize nurse-only anesthetic care without physician oversight."
"After years of reviews and agency listening sessions, we know that removing physicians during anesthesia care, strips away a critical layer of medical expertise—particularly during high-risk or emergency scenarios where seconds matter and complications are unpredictable," said Congressman David Scott. "I expressed deep concern with the previous Administration’s effort to diminish and depart from universally agreed upon medical anesthesia care standards, independent data, and the very voices of our Veterans who remain firmly opposed to this dangerous initiative. Secretary Collins can continue to protect the integrity of the VA’s anesthesia care standards and reaffirm the agency’s commitment to medical excellence. Veterans earned that commitment through their service, and it would be unconscionable to think the government is now planning to compromise their care."
Background
A proposed policy change under review in the VA National Standards of Practice would alter the team-based model of care for anesthesia services and move toward a nurse-only model without the clinical oversight of a physician.
Data indicates that dismantling the proven physician-led, team-based model of care would result in increased risk of harm to veterans, especially those enrolled in care under the PACT Act.