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The issue is, and continues to be, economic. No studies have demonstrated you are safer with a CRNA or MD providing your anesthetic. No surgeon is better protected from liability working with a CRNA or MD, it relates to the surgeon's participation in the anesthetic. What does a MD do when they need help with a patient? They ask for a Consult. A CRNA would do the same since any professional should recognize when a complex issue demands the best input available to the provider. Very little room for egos when the precious life in front of us needs attention. Why is it any different in the OR than the rest of the facility? If CRNAs were truly the "weak sisters" most of the posts above purport, then surely the litigation would prove this out. It doesn't. As far as education, I have 4+2+2 years, equals 8 years. CRNAs have completed over 1,000 cases of all types before graduation, also have been observed by all manner of providers CRNA and MD, before graduating. ONLINE CRNA? are you serious doctor? where, doctor, did you learn of this? Does not exist. What does exist is a myriad of different medical schools in all parts of the globe, many with different learning experiences than is gleaned here in the USA. Also, relating to training, when you participated in your three month surgery rotation, how many gallbladders did you take out? or did you mostly hold a retractor? The point is: most clinical skills are refined during practice, and if they aren't, the individual doesn't participate in those activities. To repeat, the studies simply don't demonstrate the Nurse Anesthesia practice is less safe than Physician Anesthesia practice. It's about the money, and control of credentialing committees, restricting practice of CRNAs, and protecting turf by an aggressive lobbying effort.