In September, the University of California (UC) Board of Regents convened in San Francisco to discuss critical issues affecting UC Health, nurse working conditions, and university funding. This meeting was particularly noteworthy as it came on the heels of significant federal funding cuts to UCLA, highlighting broader implications for the entire University of California system.
### UC Health’s Community Benefit Spending
During the meeting, Dr. David Rubin, the executive vice president of UC Health, reported significant progress in community health outcomes. From 2019 to the second fiscal quarter of 2025, UC Health reportedly saved over 11,000 lives beyond what was expected in comparison to other institutions with similar case types. Dr. Rubin emphasized the importance of the healthcare teams that made these achievements possible, stating, “Every one of those 11,000 people have a story… We owe a huge amount of respect to the clinical teams.”
The report also highlighted UC Health’s substantial investment in community benefits, which total approximately $5.9 billion for the fiscal year 2024-25—an increase of $600 million from the previous fiscal year. This figure encompasses various categories including community health improvement, health professional education, and uncompensated Medi-Cal care. Notably, UC Health allocates a significant portion of its resources to serve patients reliant on public insurance, despite reimbursement rates that often fail to meet actual care costs.
### Nurse Working Conditions
The meeting also brought to light troubling reports from nurses regarding working conditions within UC Health facilities. Nurses voiced their frustrations during public comments, with many alleging unsafe staffing levels and excessive work hours. For instance, Kiersten Clickner, a nurse at UCSF’s Birth Center, mentioned that many nurses are pushed to work 16-hour shifts, contributing to burnout and compromising patient safety.
Cheyenne Dean, representing a union of technical workers, stated that staffing shortages have further exacerbated challenges in both research and patient care. These issues have resulted in longer emergency room wait times, creating additional stress for healthcare personnel and patients alike. Dean and other union representatives have been negotiating better working conditions with the UC since June 2024, seeking improvements in healthcare costs, career mobility, and job security.
### Public Concern Over University Funding
Discussions at the meeting also included the daunting financial landscape for the University of California system, with state and federal funding remaining unpredictable. The recent federal funding cuts—amounting to over $500 million—affecting UCLA have raised alarms throughout the system.
Nathan Brostrom, UC’s chief financial officer, noted that the UC received over $17 billion from federal support in the 2023-24 fiscal year. However, he pointed out that the UC system’s reliance on federal funding for research—over 75% from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF)—exposes the institution to vulnerabilities amid political changes. Brostrom further indicated that state funding for UC might decline, exacerbated by increased operational costs that threaten the education quality and financial stability of the institution.
### Tuition Stability Plan and Rising Costs
Amid these challenging circumstances, the Regents discussed potential adjustments to the Tuition Stability Plan, designed to provide predictable tuition rates for students. Valerie Johnson from The Campaign for College Opportunity expressed the necessity for affordable education to ensure equitable access for all students in California.
UCSD Chancellor Pradeep Khosla warned that anticipated reductions in funding would necessitate tough choices, such as reducing supplemental instruction and cutting the number of doctoral and medical students. Rising inflation and increased employee benefits have compounded these financial challenges for the UC, necessitating serious discussions about tuition increases to maintain financial viability.
### Union Voices and Advocacy
As the Regents continued their discussions, union representatives called for accountability regarding healthcare costs and fair pay across all employee categories. Marina Jurich, a member of Teamsters Local 2010, urged that the rising cost of living and inflation should prompt the University to increase employee wages and maintain stable healthcare premiums.
Jennifer Carrero, a teacher in early childhood education, shared her personal struggles with healthcare costs under the UC plan, highlighting how employees might have to “fight” for necessary medical treatments amid a system perceived to prioritize cost-saving measures over employee well-being.
### Conclusion
The September meeting of the UC Board of Regents revealed the multifaceted challenges confronting UC Health, nurse working conditions, and university funding. Despite commendable efforts in community health and investments totaling billions, persistent issues around staff shortages, funding cuts, and the rising cost of living contribute to a climate of urgency and frustration among faculty and staff.
As the Regents prepare to make important decisions regarding tuition and funding in the coming months, ensuring that the needs of both students and staff are met will be a crucial factor in maintaining the University of California’s reputation as a leader in education and healthcare. The ongoing dialogue among Regents, healthcare staff, and union members will be integral to fostering a sustainable and equitable environment for all stakeholders, particularly as they navigate an increasingly uncertain economic landscape.
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