FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2025
Contact: ANA-Illinois | info@ana-illinois.org
ANA-Illinois Board of Directors Issues Two New Statements on Urgent Challenges Facing Nurses, Patients, and Society
Manteno, IL — The American Nurses Association-Illinois (ANA-Illinois) Board of Directors has issued two formal statements in response to urgent matters impacting the nursing profession, public trust, and community health. As the professional voice of registered nurses across Illinois, ANA-Illinois remains steadfast in its commitment to ethical leadership, patient advocacy, and evidence-informed practice.
Protecting Patient Trust: Condemning the Use of Medicaid Data to Target Immigrant Communities
In collaboration with the Washington State Nurses Association and ANACalifornia, ANA-Illinois has issued a joint statement strongly opposing the sharing of Medicaid enrollee information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The release of protected data, particularly in states like Illinois, where Medicaid access has been intentionally extended to immigrant populations, represents a severe breach of trust and a violation of ethical standards in healthcare. Nurses stand as unwavering advocates for their patients, and this misuse of health data undermines both the integrity of care and the foundational principles of human dignity and justice.
Standing for Truth: Addressing Health Misinformation and Disinformation
The ANA-Illinois Board has also adopted a comprehensive statement addressing the pervasive and dangerous spread of health misinformation and disinformation. As trusted healthcare professionals, nurses have both the opportunity and responsibility to lead in promoting scientifically sound, accessible health information. The statement affirms nurses’ ethical obligation to counter false narratives that compromise patient safety, erode public confidence, and undermine health equity. This call to action encourages nurses to serve as champions of health literacy and truth, both in clinical settings and in digital and public spheres.
“These statements are a reflection of our profession’s enduring values: trust, advocacy, and truth,” said the ANA-Illinois Board. “In times of uncertainty and injustice, nurses rise to defend those who are most vulnerable by protecting their rights, preserving their dignity, and promoting health for all.”
To read the complete statements, see the links below:
Medicaid ICE Statement WA IL CA
Health Misinformation_Disinformation Statement – 6-2025
ANA-Illinois, a constituent member of the American Nurses Association, is the professional association representing registered nurses throughout Illinois. To learn more about ANA-Illinois, visit: www.ana-illinois.org