All four Alameda Health System skilled nursing and sub-acute facilities have been recognized on Newsweek's America's Best Nursing Homes 2026 list, highlighting exceptional care quality in the public safety-net health system while facing significant financial challenges from recent Medicaid cuts. The recognition comes at a critical time as the system confronts projected annual losses of $100 million in federal funding by 2030 due to congressional legislation.
The honored facilities include Fairmont Rehabilitation and Wellness in San Leandro, along with Alameda Hospital Skilled Nursing Facilities in Alameda, encompassing Park Bridge Rehabilitation and Wellness, Alameda Hospital Sub-Acute Unit, and South Shore Rehabilitation and Wellness. These facilities provide 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 the recognition affirms the system's commitment to providing exceptional care regardless of patients' ability to pay. "We believe that health care is a human right that everyone should have access to, regardless of their ability to pay for services. This recognition affirms our belief that the public, safety-net health system can and does provide exceptional care on par with for profit institutions," Espinoza stated.
The timing of this recognition underscores a growing crisis in healthcare funding. Last July, Congress passed sweeping cuts to Medicaid that were signed into law as part of H.R.1, also known as The Big Bill. These cuts pose a substantial threat to AHS, where approximately 80% of funding comes from Medicaid and state healthcare reimbursements, known in California as Medi-Cal. Medicaid serves as the primary payer for over 60% of residents in nursing facilities nationwide, making these cuts particularly devastating for vulnerable populations.
James Jackson, CEO of AHS, expressed both pride in the recognition and concern about the funding situation. "The need for affordable, high-quality skilled nursing home care is enormous in Alameda County. 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 health care services like these that are critically important to the health and well-being of our community are at risk," Jackson said.
The Newsweek's America's Best Nursing Homes ranking, developed in collaboration with Statista, evaluates facilities based on 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.
This recognition demonstrates that safety-net healthcare systems can deliver top-tier nursing home care despite serving predominantly Medicaid-dependent populations. However, the simultaneous funding crisis threatens not only skilled nursing facilities but also other essential healthcare services including trauma care, emergency services, hospital care, and primary care throughout the Alameda County community.
