Voters Overwhelmingly Support Giving Veterans Direct Access to CRNA Care

Executive Summary
National Omnibus Poll of Registered Voters: Voters Overwhelmingly Support Giving Veterans Access to CRNA Care
The Mellman Group
May 23, 2022

These findings are from a national survey of 1,200 registered voters. Interviews were conducted online from May 9-17, 2022. The margin of error is +/-3% at the 95% confidence level. The margin of error is higher for subgroups.

Our new national survey shows broad and strong public support for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to give veterans direct access to the care and services of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). An overwhelming 88% majority support this change, and nearly three-quarters (74%) strongly support it. This wide support extends across party, age, gender, race and all other key demographics, but is especially strong among veterans and their families. Among veteran households 88% are strongly in favor.

Large Majorities Strongly Believe the VA is Not Giving Veterans the Health Care or the Options They Deserve

Nearly three-quarters (74%) have heard about health care problems at the VA, and over one-quarter (28%) say they have heard a great deal. Awareness is even greater in households with veterans or active military, where 39% have heard a great deal.

A majority (79%) of voters agreed that the VA is not giving our veterans the timely, quality care they deserve, with 55% agreeing strongly. Nearly all (89%) agree the VA needs to provide more health care options for our veterans, and three-quarters (75%) strongly feel that way. Overwhelming majorities also agree that veterans should be able to at least get the same care in the U.S. as they get in war zones overseas (90%) and that veterans should not be forced to wait for health care appointments (86%).

Three-Quarters Strongly Support the VA Giving Veterans Direct Access to Nurse Anesthetists

When told the VA is considering new rules to give veterans direct access to the care and services of CRNAs across the U.S., nearly all (88%) support the change.1 Three-quarters (74%) strongly support it. The broad support extends across demographics including gender, age, party, race, and military status. There is even more support among veterans’ households where 90% support 79% strongly.

Top Reasons to Support Giving Veterans More Direct Access to CRNAs Include Shortening Wait Times and Reducing the Overreliance on Opioids for Pain Management

All of the reasons tested for supporting the proposal were seen as very important by large majorities. Over eight in ten (82%) felt that reducing wait times for veterans’ health care was very important reason for support, and 39% felt it was one of the most important.

Also seen as very important reasons for support were providing more options for veterans (81%) and reducing the overreliance on opioids (78%). The role CRNAs can play in better means of pain management clearly resonated with 43% indicating it was ‘one of the most important reasons’ for support – reflecting more intensity than the other reasons.

Conclusion

There is clearly widespread concern about veterans’ health care, and strong support for the VA to adopt rules to give veterans direct access to the care and services of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. The support is overwhelming and bi-partisan, stretching across all demographics –highest among veteran households who are most dependent on the VA and have the most atstake.

1 “The Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA, is considering new rules to give veterans direct access to the care and services of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists across the United States, as they have on military bases and in combat zones around the world. This would increase veterans’ access to VA health care; shorten wait times by expanding the pool of qualified health care professionals for pain management and anesthesia; and reduce the overreliance on opioids. Would you favor or oppose this proposal?”