Nurses Rally Against Medicare Cuts | Advocacy at Alameda Hospital

Nurses gathered at Alameda Hospital on March 21, championing a national campaign against federal funding cuts to Medicare and Medicaid following the enactment of H.R.1, commonly referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill,” on July 4, 2025. This initiative, led by National Nurses United—the largest union of registered nurses in the U.S.—aimed to educate communities on the impending reduction in healthcare services due to this legislation.

Alameda Health System, which oversees operating Alameda Hospital, is grappling with the potential layoff of almost 300 staff members, initially slated for March 9. County authorities have temporarily postponed these layoffs following a March 3 meeting focused on exploring alternative solutions. Despite these efforts, patients are feeling the impact of significant Medi-Cal and Medicaid reductions brought about by H.R.1, affecting service delivery and patient care provision.

Emphasizing the substantial decrease in Medicaid funding—a critical revenue source for safety-net providers—Alameda Health System is confronting challenges in maintaining its operations. However, AHS has undertaken strategic planning to mitigate these financial setbacks. "Throughout the past year, we have initiated deliberate and proactive measures to enhance our financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and safeguarding access to essential services," remarked AHS in a KTVU news report, reinforcing its commitment to sustaining patient care standards.