Nurses’ voices are heard loud and clear at 2025 ANA Hill Day and Membership Assembly

When more than 500 nurses descended on Washington, DC, for ANA Hill Day and Membership Assembly June 26–28, the stakes couldn’t have been higher for nurses and patients. Funding for essential programs, including Medicaid, nursing workforce development, workplace protections for nurses, and patients’ access to care, were at risk. Hill Day participants shared their stories with policymakers on Capitol Hill while assembly representatives acted on vital issues that would shape the future of the association.

The political landscape shifted rapidly after Hill Day, when H.R. 1 was signed into law on July 4, ushering in sweeping changes to Medicaid. ANA and the healthcare community expressed strong concern about this legislation’s profound consequences for patients, providers, and communities across the country.

“According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, H.R. 1 will slash healthcare funding by $1.1 trillion, with $930 billion in Medicaid cuts, and cause 11.8 million Americans to lose access to their health insurance,” said ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. “These are not just numbers—they are human beings. Passage of this bill is a devastating blow to millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid. Nurses see firsthand how critical Medicaid is as a lifeline for families, seniors, children, and those living in rural and underinvested areas.”

ANA continues to monitor developments concerning Medicaid and the implementation of H.R.1. It’s also working in collaboration with constituent and state nurses associations (C/SNAs) to address impacts at the state level. In addition, ANA is actively working with Congress to support new legislation that would mitigate some of these cuts and improve federal Medicaid funding.

This article highlights how nurses united in purpose and passion and were energized by The Power of Nurses™.

Bringing key issues to Capitol Hill

Arriving in force, nurses from 47 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands elevated key issues during 336 office visits and by meeting directly with 80 Congressional members on June 26 for ANA Hill Day.

Representing more than a moment, this high-impact advocacy effort served as a movement. The group shared information, insights, and personal experiences to educate lawmakers about priority legislative issues including:

• Preserving funding for Medicaid
• Reauthorizing Title VIII Nursing Workforce Programs
• Protecting nurses from workplace violence
• Improving patients’ access to care

“This is our day to be seen and heard—and welcomed into the halls and offices of Congress—as the experts we are on nursing practice, education, and regulation, and on matters of importance to our nation’s health,” said Mensik Kennedy during a breakfast briefing.

The 500 nurses carried stethoscopes to leave behind with lawmakers as reminders of The Power of Nurses—the nation’s most trusted professionals and the heartbeat of healthcare. Stay informed at RNAction.org.

Inspiration and action at Membership Assembly

This is the forum that drives the nursing profession forward—where together, we harness The Power of Nurses to shape our future, the future of healthcare, and the health of our nation.”

— Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, ANA President

Mensik Kennedy opened the 2025 ANA Membership Assembly, underscoring its importance in building on nurses’ knowledge, expertise, and solutions to guide the association and nursing profession. The assembly is the governing and official voting body of ANA, a platform for representatives from ANA’s C/SNAs, Individual Member Division, and organizational affiliates to participate in robust discussions on critical healthcare issues.

In her remarks, Mensik Kennedy highlighted key accomplishments over the past year, including release of the revised Code of Ethics for Nurses, which sets the standard for ethical practice and “calls on nurses to advance human flourishing—for nurses, for our profession, and especially for the individuals, families, and communities we serve.”

She urged nurses to build on ANA Hill Day efforts through civic engagement, and said, “Public service opportunities bring our voice, clarity, and ethics to our communities.” She cited that in 2025, ballots across the country include more than 100,000 elected seats—from governors to school boards. In a call to action to the assembly, she said, “Get involved. Educate policy makers. Vote and encourage others to vote. Serve.”

Imagining ANA into 2040

This is more than just a business meeting. It’s a time and space where we step away from our day-to-day, to do the important work of shaping the future of the association. It’s where we meet the moment.”

— Angela Beddoe, American Nurses Enterprise Chief Executive Officer

In her report to the assembly, Beddoe highlighted the work set in motion over the past year. Imagining ANA Into 2040 is a future-forward journey guiding the evolution of the American Nurses Enterprise. This comprehensive initiative is aligning financial vitality, organizational excellence, growth, and stakeholder engagement to meet the ever-changing needs of nurses and the communities they serve.

To shape the future, “We must be nimble enough to respond to change—and bold enough to drive it,” Beddoe stressed.

“Over the past few months… we’ve conducted 28 internal and external workgroups to discuss current strengths, challenges, and opportunities for the association and enterprise,” she emphasized. The outcomes will inform the American Nurses Enterprise strategic planning process in the fall.

In closing, Beddoe said, “Let us go together—and grow together. Let us not lead just for this moment—but for the future. Let us continue to honor The Power of Nurses—and never stop building the systems, the stories, and the structures that let that power shine. Let’s keep building our future together.”

Connection and shared purpose

Our strength as nurses is truly rooted in our connection. Connection to the people we care for. Connection to the communities we serve. And most importantly connection to one another as fellow nurses.”

— Brad Goettl, ANA Chief Nursing Officer

Brad Goettl, DNP, DHA, RN, FNP-C, FAAN, delivered his first address to the assembly since he stepped into the role of chief nursing officer in April. He shared insights from his journey starting with “humble beginnings” at a rural hospital to CNO, including 2 decades of bedside care serving as an EMT, flight nurse, NP, chief clinical officer, professor, and advocate.

“Every step of my career has been guided by a commitment to continuous learning, a passion for patient care, and dedication to our profession,” Goettl shared.

“I’m excited to partner with you,” he added. “To imagine what we will accomplish together, harnessing our collective power to advance health, strengthen our profession, and ensure that nurses remain not only the most trusted, but also the most respected voice in healthcare.”

Goettl closed by saying, “When I think about The Power of Nurses, I think about that connection and our shared purpose. I think about what happens when we lead with strength and speak with a unified voice. And I think of this assembly and the millions of nurses we represent.”

Voting with a vision

ANA Membership Assembly acted on priority issues of the association going forward and elected national leaders.
After hearing compelling presentations and viewpoints from attendees, assembly representatives approved the full Professional Policy Committee Report, including the recommendations from all three 2025 Dialogue Forums:

• Rural health: Assembly members endorsed a proposal that ANA advance policies to promote the use of nurse-led care delivery modalities that improve access to healthcare in rural areas.
• Artificial intelligence (AI): The assembly also passed a recommendation for ANA to partner with stakeholders to develop guidelines that consider both the ethical and legal domains for using AI tools in nursing practice.
• Role of the RN: ANA is revising the Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (4th edition), and the Professional Policy Committee sought input from the assembly to inform the revision. The assembly emphasized that this foundational document should be updated to reflect the realities of modern nursing practice, such as nurses frequently being expected to serve as a catch-all solution for systemic healthcare staffing shortages. This leads to role confusion and unsustainable workloads.

Bylaws revisions

The assembly also engaged in dynamic discussion on the floor and voted on 10 bylaws and new business that will play an important role in how ANA continues to grow into the future.

Proposed amendments involving the Leadership Council, e-members, and membership were approved. Opposed amendments included those involving how officers and directors on the ANA board are elected to their positions and designating a seat on the ANA Board of Directors for an APRN. The assembly approved considering the remaining proposed bylaw amendments in a virtual special meeting to be held on September 11.

In a first, the assembly was treated to a fireside chat between Beddoe and inspirational speaker and best-selling author, Suleika Jaouad, who moved the room with her extraordinary story, resilience, and deep admiration for nurses.

Other actions and activities

Under new business, the assembly debated and endorsed a proposal, Defending Nursing’s Principles and Protecting Our Patients. The assembly urged the ANA Board of Directors to directly articulate the profession’s strong opposition to federal policies in opposition to core nursing principles that support access to care, nursing workforce development, science-based public health measures, and equity in healthcare.

Two state nurses associations were recognized with centennial awards—Indiana State Nurses Association celebrating 120 years and Virginia Nurses Association celebrating 125 years. Congratulations!

The American Nurses Foundation (ANF) launched a text-to-give campaign that raised over $15,000. Half of the proceeds will support the newly established Barbara Nichols Fund, honoring the lasting legacy of past ANA President Barbara Nichols. The remaining donations will go toward ANF’s Greatest Needs Fund, which fuels innovative programs for nurses—advancing nurse-led research and technology, promoting nurse well-being, and providing scholarships and fellowships to prepare the next generation of nurse leaders. To make a charitable contribution to either of these funds, visit nursingworld.org/donate.

Nurses’ Legacy Memorial

Nurses from Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, representing the National Nurses Honor Guard Coalition, led a tribute to remember fallen nurses in the past year, including former ANA President Eunice Cole, BSN, RN, and former ANA CEO Loressa Cole, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, FACHE. Visit the memorial at nursingworld.org/ana/about-ana/nurses-legacy-memorial.

American Nurse Journal. 2025; 20(9). Doi: 10.51256/ANJ082570