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S 1499

Directs the commissioner of the department of health to apply for a waiver to implement a work requirement for able-bodied adult recipients of Medicaid

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tom O'Mara

Massachusetts would license and regulate anesthesiologist assistants, requiring supervision by an on-site anesthesiologist and establishing education, licensure, and disciplinary r

REFERRED TO HEALTH
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Bill Summary · S 1499

Summary — S.1499 (2025): "An Act relative to anesthesiologist assistants"

Note: The packet provided contains conflicting metadata (an initial title referencing a Medicaid work‑requirement waiver and sponsor names that appear to be federal). The bill text itself (filed 1/17/2025, presented by Sen. John J. Cronin) clearly amends Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 112, by adding sections 12HH–12MM to create a licensing and regulatory framework for anesthesiologist assistants. This summary reflects the bill text provided.

Purpose

Establish a statutory framework in Massachusetts to authorize, license, regulate and discipline anesthesiologist assistants (AAs) and to set training, certification, supervision and scope‑of‑practice standards for their use in delivering anesthesia services under physician supervision.

Key provisions

  • Adds new sections 12HH–12MM to chapter 112 (Board of Registration in Medicine oversight).
  • Definitions (Section 12HH): defines “anesthesiologist,” “anesthesiologist assistant,” “supervising anesthesiologist,” “back‑up anesthesiologist,” “supervision” (ready, on‑site availability), and “in the same facility” (broad listing of clinical areas).
  • Scope and supervision (12II): AAs may assist in provision of anesthesia only under supervision of a licensed anesthesiologist; supervising physician must be physically present in the same facility and on‑site and actively engaged in clinical practice.
  • Regulatory authority (12II): Board may adopt rules on AA scope of practice consistent with standards established by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA).
  • Education and certification requirements (12KK & 12II):
    • Licensure requires graduation from a CAAHEP‑accredited AA program (or equivalent) and current certification via NCCAA (or board‑approved certifying body).
    • Temporary licenses may be issued (up to 1 year) to recent graduates who have not yet passed certification.
    • Continuing education and recertification per NCCAA requirements.
  • Licensing, oversight and discipline (12JJ & 12KK):
    • Board to issue/renew licenses, approve training programs, maintain rosters, and impose disciplinary actions (revocation, suspension, censure, restrictions).
    • Licenses (non‑temporary) expire annually on December 31; reinstatement permitted with fee and meeting requirements.
  • Drug access (12LL): AAs may obtain and access drugs as ordered and directed by the supervising anesthesiologist.
  • Unauthorized practice penalty (12MM): Persons practicing or representing themselves as AAs without a license (or employing unlicensed AAs) subject to criminal penalties — the text lists fines of $100–$1,000 and imprisonment of not less than 30 days but the remainder of the penalty clause is truncated in the provided text.

Who is affected

  • Anesthesiologist assistants (existing and prospective): creates licensure pathway, training/certification requirements, and supervision rules.
  • Anesthesiologists and physician groups: defines supervision responsibilities, requires on‑site availability and permits designated back‑up anesthesiologists.
  • Hospitals, surgical centers and other facilities: must accommodate supervision and scope limits; facilities and credentialing bodies will need to align policies.
  • Patients: may gain access to anesthesia care teams that include AAs subject to supervision and regulatory safeguards.

Procedural status & timeline (from provided actions)

  • Filed/presented: 1/17/2025 (Sen. John J. Cronin).
  • Introduced/Read twice: 04/28/2025; referred to committee (records show referral to Health / Public Health; hearing scheduled/rescheduled for July 2025).
  • Note: provided legislative actions include some duplicate and inconsistent entries; check the official Massachusetts Legislature site for the current docket and committee assignment.

Notes / outstanding items

  • Penalty section (12MM) is truncated in the provided text — full statutory language should be consulted for complete sanctions.
  • The bill delegates substantial rulemaking to the Board of Registration in Medicine; many operational details (acceptable delegated duties, facility‑specific limitations, patient selection criteria) would be determined in subsequent regulations.
  • Because the supervising anesthesiologist must be on‑site, the bill limits unsupervised AA work and could influence staffing models (e.g., ratio of AAs to supervising anesthesiologists).

If you want, I can:
- Produce a short explainer of likely impacts on hospital staffing and costs, or
- Track the bill’s current status on the Massachusetts legislative website and provide updates.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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