Alameda County hearing on Alameda Health System cuts draws clinicians, unions and demands for pause

Chair opened the Board of Supervisors meeting and framed a Belenzon Act public hearing on proposed Alameda Health System (AHS) workforce and program reductions.

Alameda Health System Chief Executive Officer James Jackson told the board the system faces an "unprecedented financial challenge," citing federal changes he attributed to "HR 1" and saying "60 percent of Alameda Health System's patients are on Medi-Cal." Jackson said the proposed reductions are "a painful decision we must take to preserve our ability to continue serving our community."

AHS Chief Financial Officer Kim Miranda presented the systems fiscal position, describing year-to-date losses and projecting the AHS county line of credit could be maxed out later in the fiscal year. Miranda told supervisors that Medicare recoupments, timing of supplemental funds, a required $42 million AB 85 repayment and elevated labor costs have tightened cash flow and driven the administration to recommend program and staffing changes.

AHS human-resources leaders described the proposed workforce actions. Chief Human Resources Officer Jett Chapman said trustees originally approved 372 position eliminations; after bargaining and voluntary programs the proposed separations were reduced to 211. Chapman described two voluntary packages (a resignation severance and an incentivized retirement program) that yielded 74 voluntary departures, and said impacted employees will be on paid leave through March 6 with separations effective…