TESTIMONY OF MARK BLAZEY, PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION OF NURSE ANESTHETISTS (NYSANA) BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEES ON HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, HIGHER EDUCATION AND LABOR ON EXAMINING THE STATUS OF THE HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE IN NEW YORK STATE December 19, 2023

Assembly Health Committee Chair Paulin, Assembly Mental Health Chair Gunther, Assembly Committee on People with Disabilities Chair Seawright, Assembly Higher Education Committee Chair Fahy, Assembly Labor Committee Chair Joyner and members of the respective committees, I thank you for this opportunity to submit written testimony for your consideration as you look at the status of the health care workforce in New York State.

My name is Mark Blazey, and I am the President of the New York State Association of Nurse Anesthetists (NYSANA). NYSANA is the statewide professional association representing New York’s nearly 2,200 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and Resident Registered Nurse Anesthetists (RRNAs). NYSANA has been advocating for state recognition for CRNAs as advanced practitioners commensurate with their national certification, advanced education, clinical training, and experience for over 30 years. One of the most important ways to address the health care workforce issues in New York is....(read on)