<p>Hospitals do not pay the anesthesiologists. These physicians bill insurance or Medicare for their service. So replacing anesthesiologists with CRNA's would not have financial implications for the hospital. The CRNA's need anesthesiologists in order to work. Depending on the case, it may be necessary for the anesthesiologist to be there throughout.</p>
<p>Pulmonologists do not do anything with an open chest. They are not surgeons. Perhaps you meant thoracic surgeons? But they do not manage the anesthesia.</p>