Alameda Health System Nursing Facilities Earn National Recognition Amid Medicaid Funding Cuts

All four skilled nursing and sub-acute facilities operated by Alameda Health System have been recognized on Newsweek's America's Best Nursing Homes 2026 list. The facilities include Fairmont Rehabilitation and Wellness in San Leandro, along with Alameda Hospital Skilled Nursing Facilities in Alameda, which encompasses Park Bridge Rehabilitation and Wellness, Alameda Hospital Sub-Acute Unit, and South Shore Rehabilitation and Wellness.

Richard Espinoza, chief administrative officer of post-acute services at AHS, stated that the recognition affirms the public safety-net health system's ability to provide exceptional care comparable to for-profit institutions. We believe that health care is a human right that everyone should have access to, regardless of their ability to pay for services, Espinoza said. This recognition is a reflection of our highly skilled and compassionate team members who care for our residents like family.

The achievement comes during a challenging financial period for the health system. Approximately 80% of AHS funding comes from Medicaid and state healthcare reimbursements, known in California as Medi-Cal. These dollars support not only skilled nursing facilities but also other essential healthcare services including trauma, emergency, hospital and primary care.

Recent federal legislation has created significant financial pressure on the system. Congress passed sweeping cuts to Medicaid that were signed into law as part of H.R.1, also known as The Big Bill. Experts project that AHS will lose $100 million annually in federal funding by 2030 due to these cuts. The timing is particularly concerning given that Medicaid serves as the primary payer for over 60% of residents in nursing facilities nationwide.

James Jackson, CEO of AHS, expressed both pride in the recognition and concern about future funding. The need for affordable, high-quality skilled nursing home care is enormous in Alameda County, Jackson said. I'm proud that AHS skilled nursing care providers are meeting the need with excellence and honored by Newsweek's recognition. However, it is also important to sound the alarm: Medicaid funding has been slashed and healthcare services like these that are critically important to the health and well-being of our community are at risk.

Newsweek's America's Best Nursing Homes ranking, developed in collaboration with Statista, evaluates facilities across four key criteria: performance indicators including staffing and quality measures, reputation scores from medical professionals, accreditations from organizations like TJC and CARF, and resident satisfaction reflected in Google rating scores. The awards list was announced on September 24th, 2025, and can be viewed on Newsweek's website.

The recognition highlights the critical role safety-net healthcare systems play in providing quality long-term care, particularly as skilled nursing care remains prohibitively expensive for most individuals. The combination of national recognition and financial uncertainty underscores the complex challenges facing public healthcare institutions serving vulnerable populations.