Alameda Health System Nursing Homes Earn National Recognition Amid Medicaid Funding Crisis

All four Alameda Health System skilled nursing and sub-acute facilities have been recognized on Newsweek's America's Best Nursing Homes 2026 list, demonstrating that public safety-net healthcare systems can provide exceptional care comparable to for-profit institutions. The recognized facilities include Fairmont Rehabilitation and Wellness in San Leandro, along with Alameda Hospital Skilled Nursing Facilities in Alameda, which encompass Park Bridge Rehabilitation and Wellness, Alameda Hospital Sub-Acute Unit, and South Shore Rehabilitation and Wellness. These facilities provide crucial long-term care and temporary residence for patients undergoing medically necessary rehabilitation treatment as part of AHS, the public safety-net health system of Alameda County.

Richard Espinoza, chief administrative officer of post-acute services at AHS, emphasized that this recognition affirms the system's belief that healthcare is a human right accessible to everyone regardless of ability to pay. The achievement reflects the dedication of highly skilled and compassionate team members who care for residents like family, supported by strong and consistent facility processes. However, this celebration of quality care occurs against a backdrop of significant financial challenges facing public healthcare systems nationwide.

The recognition comes at a critical time as AHS faces substantial funding reductions due to recent Congressional action. Last July, Congress passed sweeping Medicaid cuts signed into law as part of H.R.1, known as The Big Bill. Experts project that AHS will lose $100 million annually in federal funding by 2030 due to these cuts, creating severe operational challenges for the health system. Approximately 80% of AHS funding comes from Medicaid and state healthcare reimbursements, known in California as Medi-Cal, making these reductions particularly devastating for the safety-net provider.

James Jackson, CEO of AHS, expressed pride in the nursing care providers meeting community needs with excellence while sounding the alarm about the funding crisis. The need for affordable, high-quality skilled nursing home care remains enormous in Alameda County, yet Medicaid funding cuts threaten critically important healthcare services essential to community health and wellbeing. These funding reductions impact not only skilled nursing facilities but other essential services including trauma care, emergency services, hospital care, and primary care throughout the AHS network.

Newsweek's America's Best Nursing Homes ranking, developed in collaboration with Statista, evaluates facilities across four key pillars: performance indicators including staffing, quality measures and health inspections; reputation scores from medical professional surveys; accreditations from organizations like TJC and CARF; and resident satisfaction reflected in Google rating scores. The complete awards list was announced on September 24th, 2025, and can be viewed on https://www.newsweek.com. The recognition categorizes winners by facility size including large facilities with 150+ certified beds, medium facilities with 100-149 certified beds, and small facilities with 50-99 certified beds.