News from AFT Nurses and Health Professionals Archive

Model legislation creating a licensing pathway for artificial intelligence systems to provide medical care is drawing opposition from nurses and physicians. They warn that reliance on these largely untested systems could threaten patient safety, strip independent clinical judgment and become a substitute for investing in healthcare workers and hospitals. As the legislation gains attention in states, the AFT’s healthcare professionals are raising questions about accountability, safe staffing, and their role in shaping if, how and when such technologies will be implemented.  

 

Nearly a year has passed since President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, also known as the Big Ugly Bill, into law. According to a new report, hundreds of hospitals are more likely to close and fewer services will be provided as a result of the measure's cuts. Many of these are hospitals where AFT members show up every day to care for residents of their communities.

 

In her State of the Union address July 16, AFT President Randi Weingarten called the entire union to action at the AFT convention in Washington, D.C., telling attendees that in a time when billionaires are wielding unprecedented power in politics, they are lacking the one thing that has consistently catalyzed change: the power of the people. She delivered a powerful message: “We will change the trajectory of this nation and secure a better future for all.”

 

During a session on democracy, belonging and power at the AFT’s convention, delegates turned their attention to one of the biggest questions we face: What are we going to do to protect our democracy? Thousands of AFT members are coming together to get out the vote and help ensure November’s elections are free and fair. The stakes could not be higher.

 

During their divisional meeting at the AFT convention, AFT nurses and health professionals were encouraged to use the power of their collective voice to advance the resolutions they want to see adopted. “In healthcare, we have to activate our voices,” said Anne Goldman, who is co-chair of the AFT Nurses and Health Professionals program and policy council and United Federation of Teachers vice president for non-DOE and private sector members. “When we’re together, we are unstoppable.”

Leaders from across the country celebrated historic victories during the AFT’s national convention. The wins ranged from reforms to New York state’s long-criticized Tier 6 pension plan, to artificial intelligence job protections and fully funded healthcare benefits—all demonstrating the transformative power of organizing, solidarity and bargaining for the common good.

 

AFT delegates closed out the 2026 convention by passing resolutions aimed at fighting for a better life for all. From the RNs/Healthcare Workers Committee came resolutions to escalate affiliate Code Red campaigns, increase access to mental health resources and programs for healthcare workers, and advocate for mandated protected time for healthcare professional in-services and mentorship. The Healthcare Access/Quality Committee resolutions aim to expand healthcare access and health equity for LGBTQIA+ communities, fight gun violence in schools and workplaces and actively oppose the financialization of healthcare and protects essential health services while affirming healthcare as a human right, including support for Medicare for All.