All four skilled nursing and sub-acute facilities operated by Alameda Health System (AHS) have been included in Newsweek’s America’s Best Nursing Homes 2026 list. The recognized facilities are Fairmont Rehabilitation and Wellness in San Leandro, along with Park Bridge Rehabilitation and Wellness, Alameda Hospital Sub-Acute Unit, and South Shore Rehabilitation and Wellness in Alameda. These facilities serve as part of the county’s public safety-net health system.
Richard Espinoza, chief administrative officer of post-acute services at AHS, stated, “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. This recognition is a reflection of our highly skilled and compassionate team members who care for our residents like family, and our facilities that have strongand consistent processes.”
Skilled nursing care often comes with high costs for patients. Medicaid covers more than 60% of residents in these types of facilities. Federal legislation passed last July has resulted in significant reductions to Medicaid funding; projections estimate AHS will lose $100 million annually by 2030 because of these changes. About 80% of AHS funding comes from Medicaid and California’s Medi-Cal program. These funds support not only skilled nursing but also trauma, emergency, hospital, and primary care across the system.
James Jackson, CEO of AHS, commented on both the recognition and the challenges ahead: “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 compiles its America’s Best Nursing Homes list with Statista based on performance indicators such as staffing levels, quality measures, health inspections; reputation scores from medical professionals; accreditations by organizations like TJC and CARF; as well as patient satisfaction measured through online ratings.
AHS operates several hospitals as well as ambulatory centers throughout Alameda County. It remains committed to providing comprehensive healthcare through its network.
