Protect Oregonians from Federal Threats

Why Federal Policy Matters to ONA and Our Members

The Oregon Nurses Association exists to advocate for health care workers, patients, and healthy communities. But we don’t do that work in isolation. Federal policies, shaped by Congress, the White House, and federal agencies, have a direct impact on our ability to care for patients, protect public health, and uphold the rights of working people.

When the federal government slashes Medicaid, undermines the Affordable Care Act, threatens ICE raids in hospitals, attacks public health agencies, stops distribution of life saving vaccines, or tries to silence union voices, Oregon’s health care workers and the communities we serve feel the consequences immediately. Our hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and public health systems rely on stable funding, evidence-based policy, and a strong, unionized workforce to function.

ONA is committed to standing up against federal threats that put our members, our patients, and our shared values at risk. We work in coalition with labor and advocacy partners to respond strategically, and we are careful not to overwhelm you with noise. Instead, we focus on curating meaningful, relevant actions you can take to make a difference.

Together, we can hold decision-makers accountable and protect the future of health care, labor rights, and justice in Oregon and beyond.

See resources, events, and calls to action immediately below. See ONA statements and articles highlighting ONA members further down the page.

Push Back on Federal Threats: Events & Activism

Note: Resources and events listed below are not directly organized by ONA unless otherwise stated.

The “Big, Beautiful Bill”: A Cruel, Calculated Attack on Working People

H.R. 1, the so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill,” is a sweeping tax and healthcare law that eliminates basic public services to fund a $1 TRILLION tax break for billionaires. It guts healthcare, food assistance and education and raises prices on working families.

Under H.R. 1, nearly 200,000 Oregonians could lose healthcare and 100,000 more will see insurance prices spike by thousands of dollars a year. More than 23,000 Oregonians will lose jobs and healthcare systems will be devastated–putting critical services like emergency rooms, birth centers and mental healthcare in jeopardy.

Help fight cruel healthcare cuts by sharing why healthcare matters to you, your colleagues, family, patients and community so we can protect healthcare and begin restoring lifesaving services for Oregonians.

ICE Raids & Immigration

As threats from the federal government continue to build for both documented and undocumented immigrants, frontline caregivers are left asking questions about what they can do to protect their patients if their patients' rights are being threatened.

ONA is partnered with the ACLU of Oregon for a one-hour training to help nurses and other frontline healthcare professionals learn more about the rights of all Oregonians, how those rights can be exercised, and what to do when they are violated. Watch on youtube here.

ICE in Healthcare Settings

Other Resources