All four Alameda Health System (AHS) skilled nursing and sub-acute facilities, commonly referred to as nursing homes, have been recognized on Newsweek’s America’s Best Nursing Homes 2026 list.
The awards list, announced on September 24, was presented in collaboration with Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The winners were recognized in three categories: large (150+ certified beds), medium (100–149 certified beds), and small (50–99 certified beds). The evaluation is based on four key pillars:
- Performance Indicators: Data on staffing, quality measures and health inspections.
- Reputation Score: An online survey among medical professionals.
- Accreditations: Official recognition by both The Joint Commission (TJC) and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for meeting quality and safety standards.
- Resident Satisfaction: Patient and relatives feedback reflected in Google rating scores.
AHS skilled nursing facilities include Alameda Hospital Skilled Nursing Facilities, inclusive of Park Bridge Rehabilitation and Wellness, Alameda Hospital Sub-Acute Unit, and South Shore Rehabilitation and Wellness, as well as Fairmont Rehabilitation and Wellness in San Leandro. As part of the public safety-net health system of Alameda County, these skilled nursing facilities provide long-term care and temporary residence for patients undergoing medically necessary rehabilitation treatment.
“We believe that health care is a human right that everyone should have access to, regardless of their ability to pay for services,” said Richard Espinoza, chief administrative officer of post-acute services at AHS. “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 strong and consistent processes.”
Long-term skilled nursing care is prohibitively expensive for most people, so Medicaid is the primary payer for over 60% of residents in nursing facilities. 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.” As a result, experts project that AHS will lose $100 million annually in federal funding by 2030. Approximately 80% of AHS funding comes from Medicaid and state health care reimbursements, known in California as Medi-Cal. These dollars not only support AHS skilled nursing facilities, but other essential health care services such as trauma, emergency, hospital, and primary care…