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

All four skilled nursing and sub-acute facilities operated by Alameda Health System have achieved recognition on Newsweek's America's Best Nursing Homes 2026 list, demonstrating that public safety-net healthcare systems can deliver care quality comparable to for-profit institutions. The honored 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, emphasized that this achievement validates the health system's commitment to healthcare as a human right. We believe that health care is a human right that everyone should have access to, regardless of their ability to pay for services, Espinoza stated. The recognition reflects our highly skilled and compassionate team members who care for our residents like family.

This national honor arrives during a period of significant financial strain for the public health system. Approximately 80% of AHS funding derives from Medicaid and state healthcare reimbursements, known in California as Medi-Cal. These critical dollars support not only skilled nursing facilities but also other essential healthcare services including trauma care, emergency services, hospital operations, and primary care.

Recent federal legislation has created substantial financial pressure through sweeping Medicaid cuts included in 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 reductions. The timing proves particularly concerning given that Medicaid serves as the primary payer for over 60% of nursing facility residents nationwide.

James Jackson, CEO of AHS, expressed both pride in the recognition and concern about future funding stability. The need for affordable, high-quality skilled nursing home care is enormous in Alameda County, Jackson noted. 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 partnership 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 complete awards list was announced on September 24th, 2025, and can be viewed on Newsweek's website.

The recognition underscores the vital role safety-net healthcare systems play in providing quality long-term care, especially as skilled nursing care remains financially inaccessible for many individuals. This combination of national recognition and financial uncertainty highlights the complex challenges facing public healthcare institutions dedicated to serving vulnerable populations during a period of reduced government support for essential medical services.