Denver Health, Colorado's largest “safety net” hospital, is in crisis as the number of undocumented immigrants and homelessness increases, accumulating high medical bills with little or no ability to pay. There is.
Since President Joe Biden took office, the southern border has been flooded with migrants from all over the world. unpaid care Denver's health rates have increased dramatically. In 2020, the hospital had approximately $60 million in unpaid treatment. By 2022, that number will more than double to $125 million, with an additional $11 million increase last year, bringing total unpaid care at Denver Health to a whopping $136 million in 2023. Did.
These numbers coincide with a significant increase in illegal immigrants entering the city in recent years.according to Dr. Stephen FedericoLast year, the hospital treated 8,000 new patients from Central and South America, with 20,000 visits from those patients alone, according to the Denver Health Department's director of government and regional affairs.
“It's not surprising that when they arrive in Denver, they have severe and acute medical needs,” Federico said.
Those “severe and acute medical needs” included dental emergencies, mental health counseling and childbirth, according to Denver Health's CEO. Donna Lynn He spoke before the Denver City Council's Finance and Government Committee earlier this month. She explained, “I'm very sympathetic to what's going on right now, but this is heartbreaking and will destroy Denver Healthcare.”
The hospital has contacted FEMA seeking additional federal assistance to cover the cost of treating undocumented immigrants.
Colorado similarly offers OmniSalud, a state-funded program that directs “undocumented Coloradans and DACA recipients” to private health insurance plans, often provided by their employers. “This plan is intended to improve Access, affordability, and racial health equity For consumers purchasing health insurance in the individual and small group markets.” Website (emphasis not added).
While many cite illegal immigration as the main cause of hospital shortages, other uninsured patients are also contributing to the problem. Federico also noted the growing population of “houseless” people in need of mental health care and addiction treatment.
While $136 million sounds like an insurmountable deficit, Denver Health was actually just $2 million short of breaking even in 2023. However, he received a $5 million donation from the state, and an additional $10 million from Kaiser Permanente, one of the nation's largest nonprofit organizations. According to the “Profit Health Plan,” Website — helped cover the cost of unpaid care.
Such a large donation is likely a one-time deal, and despite the $30 million Denver Health receives annually from the city, hospital officials continue to scramble to cut costs to stay afloat. ing. These cost-cutting measures include reducing staff raises, delaying renovations to older areas of the facility, and closing 15 beds typically reserved for patients needing psychiatric or addiction treatment.
“What I think is not being said is that Denver Health is at a critical point, a tipping point, and we need to pick this up in 2024,” Lin told the City Council committee. “We turn away patients every day because our costs exceed our revenues, especially in the mental health and substance abuse fields.”
“There will come a point where the numbers will make this very difficult,” added Dr. Taylor McCormick, associate director of pediatric emergency medicine at Denver Health. “We are already somewhat past the breaking point.”
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