More than 500 Nurses Push Back Against Medicaid Cuts on Capitol Hill

Nurses urge lawmakers to oppose Medicaid cuts and invest in the nursing workforce for ANA’s annual Hill Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 500 nurses from across the country will gather on Capitol Hill today in Washington D.C. for the American Nurses Association (ANA) 2025 Hill Day, urging Congress to reject proposed Medicaid funding cuts that threaten access to care for millions of Americans and support solutions that help address the nursing workforce crisis.

“As nurses, we are deeply concerned that the proposed changes to Medicaid, if enacted, will ultimately result in a steady deterioration of care for all Americans,” said Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, President of the American Nurses Association. “Our patients and communities depend on Medicaid, particularly the most vulnerable and underserved populations, and so does our ability to deliver timely, quality care.”

Proposed Medicaid cuts would not only jeopardize coverage for millions of patients but also worsen the growing nursing workforce crisis. Reduced federal funding would force hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities — especially in rural areas — to scale back services, freeze hiring, or shut down entirely. These disruptions disproportionately burden nurses, increasing workloads, accelerating burnout, and ultimately undermining patient care and outcomes.

ANA members will advocate on behalf of the more than 5 million registered nurses nationwide for a comprehensive policy agenda on the Hill that includes:

• Opposing proposed cuts to federal Medicaid funding that would undermine safety-net care and deepen health disparities, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
• Reauthorizing and increasing Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs, which are critical to recruiting, training and retaining the next generation of nurses amid a growing workforce shortage.
• Reauthorizing and increasing funding for the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) to drive nursing innovation and cutting-edge science.
• Passing the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act, bipartisan legislation that would remove longstanding barriers that prevent advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) from practicing to the full extent of their education and clinical training.

As the nation faces continued challenges around healthcare provider workforce shortages and chronic disease, ANA is also urging bipartisan Congressional support to protect and strengthen the nursing workforce and the public health infrastructure it anchors.

ANA’s advocacy day will take place the day before the annual ANA Membership Assembly meeting, a meeting of the association’s governing and official voting body, June 27-28, 2025. The Assembly will consider a range of key nursing issues, conduct the business of the association, and elect national leaders.

For news on ANA’s Hill Day, Membership Assembly and related activities, follow ANA on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram with #ANAHillDay and #ThePowerOfNurses. Read more at RNaction.org.

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About the American Nurses Association

As the oldest organization representing more than 5 million registered nurses, the American Nurses Association stands at the forefront of advancing nursing excellence. The association harnesses The Power of Nurses™ to champion the profession and drive transformation in healthcare. Through legislative and political advocacy, comprehensive educational services, and the profession's leading Code of Ethics and Scope and Standards, the association empowers nurses across every specialty and practice setting. The association is committed to ensuring healthy work environments, shaping pioneering policies, and cultivating partnerships that enhance both the nursing profession and the broader healthcare experience.

MEDIA CONTACT: newsroom@ana.org