Budget cuts are deepening workforce shortages and threatening care for California’s most vulnerable patients.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In a significant show of support for California’s skilled nursing patients, lawmakers issued a letter urging budget leaders to restore the Workforce and Quality Incentive Program (WQIP) in the State Budget.
“Skilled nursing care is a critical part of California’s healthcare system and we can’t fail these patients or their caregivers,” said Assemblymember Lisa Calderon. “We must restore critical funding for medically vulnerable skilled nursing patients who deserve better.”
Support Skilled Nursing Patients, a statewide coalition representing caregivers, patient advocates and California’s 1,000+ Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), also issued its own letter in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s May Revise Budget proposal, warning that continued cuts threaten access to care, workforce stability and quality programs serving more than 445,000 medically fragile Californians.
“California’s skilled nursing facilities provide 24-hour medical care to our most vulnerable patients and their families,” said Cassie Dunham, CEO & President of the California Association of Health Facilities. “Yet at the very moment demand is rising, and federal cuts are looming, California has made massive cuts to critical funding that supports these fragile patients. Without restoring WQIP, care providers will suffer, facilities may close and patients will lose access to the care they and their families depend on.”
In July 2025, a state budget cut to WQIP funds led to a $300 million reduction, slashing critical resources that support high-quality care and workforce investments to support hundreds of thousands of skilled nursing patients. This comes as the healthcare sector faces Medicaid cuts from the Trump Administration and the upcoming negotiation of a new Medi-Cal reimbursement methodology for SNFs.
“The needs of patients in skilled nursing facilities requires continuous care,” said Assemblymember Blanca Rubio. “Our attention and compassion needs to be directed toward ensuring access to quality care for patients and families when they need it most.”
Caption: SEIU 2015 joined the Support Skilled Nursing Patients coalition at a May 7, 2026 press conference at the California State Capitol to call for urgent action to protect patient care.
“Caregivers are the backbone of skilled nursing care and they need the support to do their jobs safely and effectively,” said Kristin Mauzac, SEIU 2015 Union Leader and Certified Nursing Assistant. “Restoring WQIP funding is essential to recruiting, retaining and supporting the workforce that skilled nursing patients rely on every day.”
This cross-sector coalition of labor, providers and patient advocates highlights the urgency of this moment and the high stakes in this year’s state budget. The consequences of chronic underfunding are already clear across California:
- Growing workforce shortages that undermine staffing levels
- Reduced access to essential medical and rehabilitative services
- Increased healthcare costs from longer hospital stays
- Deferred maintenance and deteriorating care environments
- Looming SNF closures, especially in rural and underserved communities where alternatives do not exist
WQIP is a proven, performance-based program that supports high-quality care, advances health equity, and strengthens the skilled nursing workforce. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), California ranks among the top four states in 10 separate nursing home quality performance categories. More than 100,000 caregivers, including nurses, certified nursing assistants, physicians, therapists and medical directors, rely on WQIP-supported staffing, training, and retention programs to ensure safe, high-quality care.
“As a Director of Nursing, I see every day how skilled nursing care is a lifeline for families. Providing 24-hour medical care and personalized therapies require a safe environment and critical resources,” said Alzeena Khan, Director of Nursing, Shadowbrook Post Acute in Fair Oaks. “When funding that supports the workforce is cut, staffing and access to care suffer. Restoring WQIP funding is vital to protect California patients and families.”
Following the Governor’s May Revise budget proposal, lawmakers will continue budget hearings and negotiations ahead of the June 15 deadline, as caregivers, patient advocates and providers urge restoration of WQIP funding to protect access to skilled nursing care for California’s most vulnerable patients.
ABOUT US: California’s more than 1,000 Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) are the backbone of California’s long-term care system, providing essential 24-hour medical care to over 445,000 of California’s most vulnerable patients – seniors, individuals with disabilities and those recovering from serious illness or injury. Supporting Skilled Nursing Patients is a coalition advocating for fair funding for Skilled Nursing Facility patients and continued access to high-quality medical care.