For hundred thousands of patients in Alameda County, access to quality health care isn’t just a necessity — it’s a lifeline. Alameda Health System (AHS) stands as a crucial safety-net provider, ensuring that no one is left behind, vowing to meet its mission of caring, healing, teaching and serving all.
Every day, AHS staff work tirelessly to deliver care, from life-saving treatments to routine checkups, all while navigating the complex landscape of health care policy that directly impacts patients.
But delivering care is only part of the story. Advocacy is essential to AHS’ mission and involves ensuring that policymakers at every level understand what’s at stake for the patients they serve. The Public Affairs and Community Engagement (PACE) department leads these efforts, making sure that the voices of those who rely on AHS are heard in city halls, chambers of the County Board of Supervisors, the State Capitol, and even the halls of Congress.
Recent successes in advocacy have made a tangible difference, including efforts to delay and avert Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payment cuts. Had those cuts taken effect, AHS could have lost over $50 million — funds that directly support care for the most vulnerable residents of Alameda County.
“Our advocacy efforts are about ensuring that real people continue to have a place to turn when they need care,” said Elizabeth Lam, government and legislative affairs analyst in the PACE department. “Sharing our patients’ experiences with elected officials is crucial to the work we do because it puts a face to the issues at hand.”
As political uncertainties threaten Medicaid funding, the stakes are higher than ever. Reductions in Medicaid funding could mean fewer services, longer wait times, and in some places, even hospital closures — all of which disproportionately affect low-income families, seniors women, and people with disabilities who rely on AHS for essential care.
One of the most powerful tools in advocacy isn’t data — it’s real stories. Stories of patients whose lives have been saved, families who have found compassionate care and providers who go above and beyond to serve their community. AHS urges patients and health care workers alike to share their experiences, bringing the human impact of policy decisions to the forefront.
For those who have a story to tell — about the importance of Medi-Cal, the difference AHS has made in their lives, or the challenges of accessing health care — AHS invites them to share their voices. These stories can shape decisions that affect millions.
To contribute a story or learn more about how to support AHS’ advocacy efforts, contact PACE@alamedahealthsystem.com. Because when it comes to health care, it should never be reserved for the privileged few.