The American Nurses Association (ANA) has developed a bold regulatory advocacy plan for 2026 aimed at empowering the nursing workforce, expanding access to healthcare, and positioning nurses as key contributors to the future of healthcare delivery. Protecting and rebuilding a strong nursing workforce remains central to the ANA’s priorities, especially in the face of persistent shortages and increasing workplace demands.
The organization is calling on federal agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Labor to work collaboratively. Key measures include preventing workplace violence, protecting access to student loans, and improving staffing levels, particularly in long-term care facilities. Workplace violence remains one of the most pressing issues.
Although often underreported, available evidence underscores its severity, with nurses facing a significantly higher risk of assault than many other professionals. The ANA continues to advocate for national standards that ensure a secure healthcare environment while remaining adaptable to diverse care settings. Improving workplace safety is essential not only for protecting nurses but also for retaining a stable workforce.
Staffing policies are another major focus. The ANA is calling for stronger oversight to maintain patient safety and quality care, especially after repealing a federal requirement for 24/7 registered nurse staffing in long-term care facilities. The association is urging regulators to establish more consistent staffing standards across all healthcare settings.
Education and workforce preparation are also a part of the agenda of ANA. The organization is encouraging policymakers to recognize nursing as a professional degree eligible for broader federal loan support. Without this designation, nursing students may face reduced access to funding compared to those in other healthcare fields, potentially worsening workforce shortages.
In addition to workforce issues, the ANA is focused on better healthcare access and outcomes. The association is promoting evidence-based policies that appreciate the significance of nurses in the provision of care. It is demanding increased partnership between policymakers and nursing professionals to deal with social determinants of health in order to enhance patient outcomes across the country. Maternal health and access to care in rural areas are identified as priority concerns requiring urgent attention.
The ANA emphasizes that advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including nurse practitioners and certified nurse-midwives, are essential to expanding care in underserved areas. However, outdated regulations in many states prevent them from practicing to the full extent of their training. The organization is advocating at both the federal and state levels to remove these barriers and modernize scope-of-practice laws.
Simultaneously, the ANA is closely monitoring the impact of new medical legislation and Medicaid policy reforms, noting that changes in healthcare financing may create additional barriers to care. The association is also advocating to ensure that there is proper reimbursement and support given to the providers, especially in the vulnerable communities. Reforming payment systems to better reflect the value of nursing care is another high priority. The ANA argues that current reimbursement models do not fully capture the scope of services provided by nurses and is calling for updated approaches that align financial incentives with quality care and patient outcomes.
The vision of ANA in the future is also based on technology and artificial intelligence. Although the organization believes that AI should be incorporated in the healthcare sector, it emphasizes that technology should not be used to substitute clinical judgment. It also advocates for protecting the professional title of nurse, ensuring it is used only by licensed individuals, particularly as automated systems become more prevalent.
Lastly, the ANA supports the continued expansion of telehealth services introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. These services have played a crucial role in improving access to care, especially in rural and underserved areas. Overall, the ANA’s 2026 agenda highlights the vital role of nurses in addressing healthcare challenges and calls for sustained policy efforts to strengthen the profession and improve patient care nationwide.
References: American Nurses Association. 2026 regulatory and policy priorities. 2026. Accessed March 30, 2026. 2026 Regulatory and Policy Priorities
