Nursing Weekly Brief: June 24–30, 2025
This past week, nurses made their collective voices heard on Capitol Hill, advocating for crucial healthcare policies. We also saw significant developments in healthcare legislation and new guidance on vaccine recommendations. It’s been a busy week shaping the future of patient care.
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Nurses Make Their Voices Heard on Capitol Hill
Over 500 nurses from across the country converged on Capitol Hill for the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) annual Hill Day. These dedicated professionals met with numerous congressional offices, championing critical issues like preserving Medicaid funding, reauthorizing Title VIII Nursing Workforce Programs, protecting nurses from workplace violence, and improving patient access to care through legislation like the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act. ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy emphasized the vital role nurses play as experts in healthcare, urging them to share their personal stories to connect with lawmakers. This large-scale participation highlights a unified and strong push for policy change within the nursing community.
Published: June 26, 2025
ANA Hill Day 2025: Nurses take key issues to Capitol Hill -
ANA Membership Assembly Charts Future of Nursing
The American Nurses Association’s Membership Assembly convened this week, bringing together nursing leaders from across the nation to deliberate on the profession’s future. A key highlight was the discussion around the recently revised Code of Ethics for Nurses, which sets new standards for ethical practice and calls on nurses to champion human flourishing for themselves, their profession, and the communities they serve. Leaders underscored the importance of civic engagement, urging nurses to get involved in public service and advocacy efforts, reinforcing the profession’s commitment to adapting and leading change in healthcare. This revision reflects the profession’s proactive stance in evolving its foundational principles.
Published: June 27, 2025
American Nurses Association Membership Assembly – Day 1 -
Supreme Court Preserves ACA Preventive Services Coverage
In a significant ruling this week, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6–3 decision in Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, upholding the legal foundation for the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) preventive services coverage requirements. This means most insurers must continue to cover services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) without patient cost-sharing. This decision is a win for public health, ensuring continued access to crucial preventive care, from screenings to vaccinations, which are cornerstones of patient well-being. The preservation of these services directly supports population health initiatives and reduces financial barriers for patients.
Published: June 27, 2025
Health Care Week in Review | June 27, 2025 | Alston & Bird -
ACA Marketplace Insurers Face Uncertainty Amid Policy Debates
In the midst of legislative debates, particularly around the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and the looming expiration of enhanced tax credits, health insurers in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace are finding it tough to set their premiums for 2026. This policy uncertainty could lead to significant premium increases, potentially 7.0% to 11.5% higher than they would otherwise be. For patients, this means a likely rise in healthcare costs, which could affect their ability to afford coverage and access necessary care. The difficulty insurers face in setting rates due to legislative gridlock directly translates to increased healthcare costs for consumers.
Published: June 25, 2025
Policy Uncertainty is Creating Challenges for ACA Marketplace Insurers| KFF Quick Takes -
CDC Advisory Committee Updates Vaccine Guidance
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) held a significant meeting this week, with newly appointed members voting on key vaccine recommendations. Among their decisions, the committee recommended Merck’s RSV monoclonal antibody, clesrovimab, for certain infants and approved its inclusion in the Vaccines for Children program. They also reaffirmed the recommendation for annual influenza vaccination for individuals over six months of age. These updates are crucial for public health, guiding vaccination strategies that nurses often implement directly in their communities.
Published: June 27, 2025
Health Care Week in Review | June 27, 2025 | Alston & Bird
Tools & Tips
- Medscape App: Your Go-To Clinical Companion
For nurses on the go, or just needing a quick reference, the Medscape app is a fantastic resource. It offers comprehensive drug references, an interaction checker, the latest medical news, and even images of procedures. It’s a real time-saver for quick clinical decisions right at your fingertips, enhancing patient safety and efficiency by providing instant access to critical information at the bedside or in any care setting.
Top 10 Amazing Apps for Travel Nurses in 2025
Fun Fact
Did you know that the title of the first nurse in recorded history doesn’t belong to Florence Nightingale? It’s actually attributed to Agnodice, a woman in ancient Greece around 250 B.C.! She famously disguised herself as a man to pursue a career in medicine and nursing, defying the societal norms of her time and paving the way for future generations of female healthcare providers. Talk about breaking barriers!
https://nursematch.com/discover-10-fascinating-nursing-facts/
We’d love to hear from you! Have you participated in any Nursing events or utilized new Nursing tools recently? Share your experiences or insights with us—we’re featuring selected community voices in next week’s edition.