Multistate letter: Western Health Alliance

Dear Governors Ferguson, Green, Kotek, and Newsom,

On behalf of the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), Hawai‘i - American Nurses Association (Hawai’i-ANA), Oregon Nurses Association (ONA), and the American Nurses Association\California (ANA\C), we are grateful to see the creation of the West Coast Health Alliance . Its formation comes at a critical moment, as the erosion of public trust in federal health agencies has underscored the urgent need for strong, science-driven leadership at the state and regional levels.

As nurses, our work is grounded in evidence-based practice and guided by a deep commitment to patient safety. We have seen how dangerous it can be when political or ideological interference overshadows science, and we know that preserving the integrity of health care decisions is essential to protecting both patients and the broader public.

This alliance offers an opportunity to restore confidence by ensuring that health policy and public health guidance reflect the best available evidence and clinical expertise. We stand committed to working with your administrations to demonstrate that science—not politics—must remain at the heart of health care decision-making. Together, we can show the nation what is possible when leaders and clinicians unite to strengthen equitable health care systems and protect our communities.

Respectfully,