The Alameda County (Calif.) Board of Supervisors has taken action to delay March 9 layoffs at Oakland, Calif.-based Alameda Health System, which, according to the system, were related to federal funding cuts in H.R. 1.
AHS initially shared plans to lay off 296 employees, but reduced the number to 187 full-time employees, equating to 211 individual positions. Affected employees were notified in early January, and spanned across all system departments and disciplines, including administrative services, clinical care, management and support roles.
The health system and Service Employees International Union Local 1021 workers met with county supervisors the week of Feb. 23 regarding the layoffs.
“The board supports AHS’s direction to defer layoffs and identify non-patient-facing positions for potential reductions to address its structural imbalance,” County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas said in a March 3 Instagram post. “The county will work with AHS on financial and other options to stabilize operations. AHS and the county will report back at our March 17 board meeting.”
Ms. Fortunato Bas and County Supervisor Nate Miley will also serve on an ad hoc committee with AHS leadership and labor representatives to find options to address the health system’s financial challenges for 2026 and the next fiscal years.
“I am encouraged by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors’ willingness to join our efforts to stabilize Alameda Health System. I’m grateful for their continued partnership in the fight for the health of our community, which is our collective responsibility,” James Jackson, CEO of Alameda Health System, said in a March 4 statement shared with Becker’s.
“I also caution that AHS’s fiscal situation remains the same today as it was last week. I remain deeply concerned for our patients, staff, and community,” he added. “H.R. 1 represents the largest roll-back of federal health care spending in history and poses an existential threat to health systems that depend on federal dollars to serve the most vulnerable.”
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.