Why Thousands of Nurses Are Marching on Capitol Hill May 7
- Grassroots organization Nurses Shift Change is hosting its second annual Report for Duty Rally in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, May 7, 2026, followed by a Capitol Hill Day of legislator meetings.
- Organizers say proposed federal cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and nursing workforce programs threaten patient access to care and the professional status of nursing itself.
- Nurses can RSVP through the Nurses Shift Change Action Network, and a livestream will be available for those who cannot travel to D.C.
Podcast Episode
On Thursday, May 7, 2026, nurses from across the country are expected to gather in Washington, D.C., for the second annual Report for Duty Rally, a grassroots demonstration led by Nurses Shift Change during Nurses Week.
This year, the rally will be paired with a Capitol Hill Day of meetings with lawmakers. Organizers say they aim to mobilize one million nurses, students, and healthcare allies, making it one of the most ambitious nurse-led advocacy efforts in recent years.
Co-founders Dr. Danielle McCamey and Dr. Lendra James announced the event details on the Love and Leary podcast, hosted by nurse innovator Rebecca Love. On the episode, both leaders described the rally as a response to an urgent moment for the profession, as federal policy shifts place increasing pressure on both patient access and the nursing workforce.
What the Report for Duty Rally Is
Nurses Shift Change launched in 2024 as a grassroots movement formed in response to a wave of executive orders and federal budget proposals that organizers say threatened healthcare systems and workforce stability.
The group’s first Report for Duty Rally on May 24, 2025, brought nurses to the U.S. Capitol and seven additional cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Hartford, Rochester, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle.
The 2026 event expands the format. Organizers say the morning rally will include spoken word performances, a DJ, and community programming, followed by a Hill Day where attendees meet with congressional representatives and staff.
The group is advocating around four primary areas:
- Protecting Medicaid and Medicare
- Strengthening primary care
- Supporting and stabilizing the healthcare workforce
- Advancing environmental health
A virtual livestream will be available for those unable to travel. The event has been endorsed by the National Black Nurses Association, and the 2025 rally drew support from approximately 22 nursing organizations, including the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environment and the National Association of Hispanic Nurses.
What Is Fueling the Movement
Organizers say the urgency behind the rally is tied directly to federal policy changes.
Nurses Shift Change has published a policy brief warning that proposed federal budget adjustments could reduce funding for nursing education programs and cut Medicaid and Medicare support. Advocates say these changes could accelerate rural hospital closures and reduce access to care for millions of patients.
Dr. Lendra James, a co-founder based in New Jersey, said the rally is also about reminding legislators that nursing is a profession with collective power. "If we don't speak up, and if we don't teach people or show people that we stand up, they'll continue to think that we're not a profession," she said on the podcast.
The rally also builds on a long history of nurse-led advocacy in the United States, including participation in the 1913 women’s suffrage march, involvement in the civil rights movement, and more recent organizing efforts such as the Nurses Take DC demonstrations.
The organization’s leadership includes McCamey, an acute care nurse practitioner and founder of DNPs of Color, along with James and other nurse leaders from across multiple states.
What This Means for Nurses
The Report for Duty Rally comes at a time of significant policy and financial uncertainty for the healthcare system.
Issues under discussion, including Title VIII nursing workforce funding and Medicaid reimbursement structures, have direct implications for staffing levels, education pathways, loan repayment programs, and hospital financial stability.
Proposed federal changes could affect:
- Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement
- Funding for nursing education and workforce development programs
- Staffing levels in hospitals and outpatient settings
- Access to loan repayment and training opportunities
Because nurses work across nearly every care setting, they are often among the first to experience the downstream effects of policy decisions. Organizers say this frontline perspective positions nurses to play a key role in shaping healthcare policy and advocating for patient care.
Designed for First-Time Advocates
Organizers say the event is structured to be accessible for nurses who may not have prior experience with advocacy.
The combination of a public rally, educational resources, and scheduled meetings with lawmakers is intended to provide both exposure to the policy process and practical experience engaging with elected officials.
A virtual livestream option is also available, allowing broader participation for nurses unable to attend in person.
How Nurses Can Get Involved
Nurses can participate in several ways depending on availability and level of involvement.
Options include:
- Registering through the Nurses Shift Change Action Network ahead of the rally
- Attending the May 7 event in Washington, D.C.
- Joining the livestream remotely
- Scheduling meetings with congressional offices as part of Hill Day
- Reviewing past webinars and policy briefings available through the organization’s YouTube channel
Organizers say the goal is not only turnout, but also equipping nurses with the knowledge and tools needed to engage in advocacy efforts within their own communities beyond the event.
To listen to their full conversation, check out the Love n’ Leary Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or right here on nurse.org/lovenleary!
🤔 Are you planning to report for duty in D.C. on May 7, or do you think nursing advocacy should take a different form? Tell us in the comments.
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