All four skilled nursing and sub-acute facilities operated by Alameda Health System (AHS) have been named to Newsweek's America's Best Nursing Homes 2026 list, an honor that underscores the quality of care provided by the public safety-net health system even as it faces significant financial challenges due to recent federal Medicaid cuts.
The recognized facilities include Fairmont Rehabilitation and Wellness in San Leandro, as well as three facilities in Alameda: Park Bridge Rehabilitation and Wellness, Alameda Hospital Sub-Acute Unit, and South Shore Rehabilitation and Wellness. These skilled nursing facilities provide long-term care and temporary residence for patients undergoing medically necessary rehabilitation. According to Richard Espinoza, chief administrative officer of post-acute services at AHS, the recognition affirms the system's belief that public safety-net health systems can deliver exceptional care on par with for-profit institutions, reflecting the work of highly skilled and compassionate team members and strong, consistent processes.
The recognition comes at a critical time for AHS. Long-term skilled nursing care is prohibitively expensive for most people, and Medicaid is the primary payer for over 60% of residents in nursing facilities nationwide. Last July, Congress passed sweeping cuts to Medicaid 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. Approximately 80% of AHS funding comes from Medicaid and state health care reimbursements (Medi-Cal in California), which support not only skilled nursing facilities but also essential services such as trauma, emergency, hospital, and primary care.
James Jackson, CEO of AHS, expressed pride in the recognition but also sounded an alarm: "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."
Newsweek's America's Best Nursing Homes list, presented in collaboration with Statista, was announced on September 24, 2025, and can be viewed on Newsweek's website. The ranking awards leading nursing homes in three categories based on size and evaluates them on performance indicators (staffing, quality measures, health inspections), reputation score (surveys among medical professionals), accreditations (TJC and CARF), and resident satisfaction (Google ratings).
The recognition of all four AHS facilities highlights the system's commitment to quality care despite the financial headwinds. As a safety-net provider, AHS serves a vulnerable population, and the Medicaid cuts threaten to undermine the very services that make such recognition possible. The acknowledgment serves as both a testament to the staff's dedication and a reminder of the precarious funding environment facing public health systems.
