Nurses to Voice Concerns on Service Cuts and Retention at Board Meeting

Nurses Advocate Against Health Service Cuts in Contra Costa

Registered nurses from the California Nurses Association (CNA) are set to address the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 14. Their primary aim is to halt significant budget reductions impacting the Contra Costa Health system. These cuts threaten essential services and the retention of nurses following financial challenges posed by H.R. 1., the federal reconciliation law.

Danielle Lopez, RN, a representative and negotiator at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, emphasized the critical role of Contra Costa Health as a safety net for county residents. "If the federal administration says they won’t cover care for our community, the county has an obligation to do so," Lopez stated. She further noted, “Cutting public health services means that our patients will not get care when they need it and will end up in the ER in crisis. This is a betrayal of our mission: ‘to care for and improve the health of all people in Contra Costa County with special attention to those who are most vulnerable.’”

Event Details

Who: RNs in the Contra Costa Health system

What: Speak out for nurse retention and financial support at the Board of Supervisors meeting

When: Tuesday, April 14, 9-11:30 a.m.

Where: Board of Supervisors, 1025 Escobar St., Martinez, Calif.

The financial strain was initially reported in December when Contra Costa Health projected a $307 million deficit due to H.R. 1. In response, the health system has already cut 46 nursing positions and removed approximately 3,650 patients from care programs without assessing the potential impact on those relying on services at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and its emergency department.

Vicky Davidson, a public health nurse for Contra Costa Health Plan, criticized the county's approach, saying, “To save money in the short term, the county administration is laying off nurses, threatening our health care benefits, and cutting programs for our patients.” Davidson stressed the necessity of retaining experienced nurses who provide comprehensive care across various patient needs.

Since July 2025, nurses have been negotiating a new contract to enhance patient care, ensure safety, control infections, and secure job stability to retain nurses within the county. The CNA represents over 1,300 registered nurses working across various sectors in the Contra Costa Health system, including the regional medical center, outpatient clinics, and public health facilities.

California Nurses Association/National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the nation, with over 100,000 members in more than 200 facilities throughout California and more than 225,000 RNs nationwide.

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