ANA Warns Senate’s HR1 Bill ‘Devastating’ for Patients and Nurses

The American Nurses Association (ANA) has issued a forceful statement following the Senate’s passage of H.R.1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” warning that the legislation would have “devastating consequences for patients, nurses, and healthcare overall, particularly for those in rural and medically underserved areas.” The ANA is calling on lawmakers to consider the real-world impact of deep Medicaid cuts and to protect access to care for millions of Americans.

ANA Statement: Nurses and Patients at Risk

In the official release, ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy emphasized that Medicaid is far more than a budget line item—it is “the backbone of care for millions of Americans, including seniors in nursing homes, children with complex medical needs, and working families in rural and underserved areas.” Kennedy warned that proposed Medicaid cuts would lead to hospital and clinic closures, especially in rural communities, and force nurses to shoulder even heavier workloads. This, she said, would drive burnout, attrition, and ultimately result in worse patient outcomes.

“Today, the Senate passed HR1, which, if it becomes law, will have devastating consequences for patients, nurses, and healthcare overall, particularly for those in rural and medically underserved areas. Patients and nurses deserve better,” Kennedy stated.

The ANA highlighted that these warnings are not theoretical: nurses nationwide are already reporting higher patient ratios, reduced resources, and the moral injury of being unable to provide the care their patients deserve. Medicaid currently accounts for 19% of hospital revenues nationwide, and reductions in funding would ripple through the entire healthcare system, threatening both access and quality of care.

The statement also noted the political risks for lawmakers, referencing the 2018 midterm elections, when health care access—especially Medicaid—was a decisive issue for voters. The ANA called on elected officials to protect Medicaid, underscoring that nurses and their patients are relying on Congress to do the right thing.

The ANA’s concerns echo those of other leading medical organizations:

• American Hospital Association (AHA): The AHA expressed “deep disappointment,” estimating that nearly 12 million Americans could lose coverage and warning of “irreparable harm” to hospitals and the broader health system.
• American Medical Association (AMA): The AMA warned that the bill’s Medicaid cuts and eligibility changes would reduce insurance coverage and threaten patient access to care, especially in rural and underserved areas.

With the Senate’s narrow passage of H.R.1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” the legislation now returns to the House of Representatives for consideration of the Senate’s amendments. Lawmakers are working under a tight timeline, as President Trump has called for the bill to reach his desk by July 4. The House must either approve the Senate’s version or negotiate further changes before final passage. 

Nurses and healthcare advocates are encouraged to stay engaged and reach out to their representatives with concerns as the legislative process enters this critical final stage.

🤔 Nurses, what do you think about the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” passed by the Senate? Share your thoughts in the discussion forum below.