The case pits the Colorado Hospital Association, which supports this use of anesthetists, against the Colorado Medical Society and Colorado Society of Anesthesiologists, which filed the lawsuit.
The case stems from a decision by Gov. Bill Ritter last September to opt out of a Medicare requirement that anesthetists must be physician-supervised. Rural and critical access hospitals in the state had been experiencing chronic problems with anesthesia availability.
In dismissing the case, the judge ruled the governor’s decision is consistent with Colorado law. Fifteen other states have opted out of the federal requirement since 2001, when states were first allowed to do so.
Read the AHA News Now report on anesthesia services.
Read more coverage on use of anesthetists not supervised by physicians:
– 16 States That Have Opted Out of Physician Supervision of Anesthesia Rule
– Anesthesia Provision Debate Continues Throughout the Nation
– 4 Trends Affecting New York Anesthesiologists
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