The West Virginia House of Delegates had its second reading for House Bill 4432, a 25-page bill that would allow physician assistants to own their own practices, according to a Jan. 22 report from Metro News.
An amendment at the end of the bill would also allow certified registered nurse anesthetists to administer anesthesia in cooperation with a physician, podiatrist or dentist.
Currently, CRNAs in the state are only permitted to administer anesthesia under supervision of a physician or dentist.
Cooperation is defined as "working together with each contributing an area of expertise in accord with their training levels." The change would allow hospitals to set their own policies.
The CRNA amendment was controversial among House representatives and delegates, stirring debate on the House floor.
The amendment to expand CRNAs' abilities failed on a vote of 31-65, but the House Bill will undergo its third reading for passage on Jan. 23.