MANA - Mississippi Association of Nurse Anesthetists -

11/13/2025

11/12/2025

Update on the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure Proposed Rule

Dear MANA Members,

On behalf of the board, I am pleased to provide an important update regarding the proposed rule from the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure. From the collective efforts of MANA, our partners, members, and numerous stakeholders, the proposed rule has been withdrawn.

This outcome reflects the strength in advocacy and our shared commitment to protecting patient access to high-quality anesthesia care across Mississippi. We sincerely appreciate the strong engagement demonstrated by so many throughout this process.

While this is a positive development, MANA will continue to closely monitor the situation and remain vigilant in safeguarding the interests of our profession and the patients we serve. Our mission remains clear—to promote excellence in anesthesia practice and ensure that Mississippians continue to receive safe, high-quality care statewide.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our shared goals.

And, thank you to Karyn Thornhill, our new Executive Director and her partner, Jamie Rasberry, for representing MANA at today’s meeting.

Let us celebrate this victory!
Sandy Weathers
Board President

11/05/2025

News from the Hill: AANA Federal Updates

AANA Urges Medicare Administrative Contractors to Revise Proposed Policies Sharply Curtailing Coverage of Peripheral Nerve Blocks

On Wednesday, October 29, AANA sent letters to five Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) urging them to reverse or modify recently released draft Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) that would eliminate coverage for almost all peripheral nerve blocks and related procedures for chronic pain.

These MACs’ policies, which are essentially identical, would eliminate Medicare coverage and reimbursement for peripheral nerve blocks for chronic pain use except for radiofrequency neurolysis for trigeminal neuralgia, corticosteroid injections for median neuropathy at the wrist, and corticosteroid injections for Morton’s neuroma. The CGS, NGS, Noridian, Palmetto, and WPS draft policies would significantly harm the ability of CRNAs to perform and receive reimbursement for these crucial pain management procedures.

In addition to providing comments on these draft LCDs, AANA also provided draft letter templates to each state association and the AANA SRS/PRS program and also developed a separate grassroots alert to members. AANA will continue to support state associations and AANA members as we engage with the MACs on these proposed policy changes.

To join AANA’s grassroots action, please follow the links below to urge your MAC to protect patient access to safe, effective pain management.

Instructions: Follow the prompts to be directed to a pre-written email to your respective MAC.

If you provide these services, please personalize this email to tell your MAC how it impacts your patients and practice.

Public comments are open until November 8 for CGS, NGS, Noridian, and Palmetto, and until November 22 for WPS.

Join the CRNAdvocacy Action Center to advocate for your profession. Stay informed about legislative developments and participate in impactful campaigns. Make your voice heard and drive positive change today!

10/31/2025

Regulatory Update: CRNA Practice Under Threat
Dear MANA Members,

As many of you are aware, the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure (MSBML) recently proposed rule changes that could significantly, and negatively, impact CRNA practice across our state. These rules threaten not only our professional autonomy, but also the quality, accessibility, and affordability of anesthesia care in hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and rural communities.

Despite widespread opposition during the public comment period, which closed this past Monday, the MSBML continues to advance these changes without credible evidence that CRNA-led care compromises patient safety. In fact, our services remain essential, effective, and cost-efficient—especially in underserved areas.

MANA has worked tirelessly to mobilize support from key stakeholders who understand the value of CRNAs in Mississippi’s healthcare system. Over 170 formal comments were submitted in opposition, including strong statements from:
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA)
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
Mississippi Board of Nursing
Mississippi Hospital Association
Ambulatory Surgical Center Association
Mississippi Rural Hospital Association
Baptist Hospital Systems, HCA, Lifelinc, Willow Anesthesia
Numerous individual professionals and organizations

Thank you to our MANA members who also took the time to respond to this call to action. We greatly appreciate you for sending letters and joinders in this effort.

What’s Next:
The MSBML will address these rules at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, November 12th. The meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed on their YouTube page.

We encourage you to watch the meeting live or you can watch the replay after.

What You Can Do Now:
Continue engaging with key leaders, especially surgeons and administrators you work with, to discuss how these rules could:
Undermine collaborative care
Shift liability and increase costs
Restrict access to essential anesthesia services

Your voice and advocacy are critical. MANA will continue monitoring this issue and provide updates as they become available.

Thank you,
Sandy Weathers
Board President

02/19/2025

The bill grants “full practice authority” to advanced practice nurses, allowing them to treat patients without physician collaboration. The policy has been implemented in 28 other states.

01/14/2025

It's that time again! Get ready for another incredible year of learning and connection! Please join us for a group of dynamic speakers, virtually experienced, featuring high-quality educational sessions!
Please see the program outline and please REGISTER TODAY at the link below.
https://www.mana.us/annual-meeting-registration/