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Soon after, in March 2020, Gov. Jim Justice followed suit and issued an executive order empowering every licensed provider in our state to answer the call unencumbered. A perfect example of the positive impact of Governor Justiceòòò½ÊÓƵ™s order is the effect it had on certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNòòò½ÊÓƵ) and the hospitals and other health care facilities across West Virginia that utilize them. By way of the order, the outdated and unnecessary anesthesia billing requirement known as physician supervision was suspended. The removal of this antiquated billing requirement, which has nothing to do with physician oversight of a CRNAòòò½ÊÓƵ™s work and which research has proven does not improve patient safety, enabled CRNòòò½ÊÓƵ to efficiently and effectively provide high-quality patient care in a timely manner, which is exactly what fighting the pandemic called for. Gone were the needless distractions and restrictions of the supervision rule for both CRNòòò½ÊÓƵ and their physician colleagues alike.

From the stroke of the governoròòò½ÊÓƵ™s pen on the executive order to the present, CRNòòò½ÊÓƵ have been health care stalwarts on the pandemicòòò½ÊÓƵ™s frontlines òòò½ÊÓƵ” intubating patients and managing their airways, operating ventilators, overseeing intensive care units, and providing anesthesia care for surgical, obstetrical, trauma, and pain management services. So the question must be asked: If CRNòòò½ÊÓƵ provided this level of patient care during the worst of times, without any change in safety and patient outcomes, shouldnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t they be trusted to perform the same during normal health care times? Must we wait until the next pandemic or health care crisis to empower our providers after the proverbial horse has left the barn?

West Virginia is well-positioned with its 2023 legislative session soon to begin to follow Governor Justiceòòò½ÊÓƵ™s example but take it one step further by permanently removing the physician supervision requirement for CRNòòò½ÊÓƵ. Our state lawmakers only need to examine the last 1,013 days to understand what was achieved by CRNòòò½ÊÓƵ under the governoròòò½ÊÓƵ™s executive order. It is extremely rare to be able to evaluate, in real time, the beneficial changes brought about by governmental action. Our state leaders need to take advantage of this unique situation to effect change that would permanently benefit patients and health systems across West Virginia.

Now is the time for West Virginia to put its best foot forward by bringing forth much-needed change for the new year. Access to care is essential in our great state. The post-pandemic future is promising, but only if we step forward regarding health care policy, especially the removal of needless physician supervision of CRNòòò½ÊÓƵ.