Denver's top doctor told Fox News that the illegal immigration crisis is pushing the state's hospital system to breaking point and creating a humanitarian crisis.
Dr. Steve Federico of the Denver Department of Health said the influx of immigrants is putting a huge strain on hospitals and staff and called for federal aid to provide relief.
“Additional public support is absolutely necessary to provide health care to safety net hospitals like Denver Health,” Federico told “The Ingraham Angle” Thursday. “We need to respond to this huge humanitarian crisis in our emergency rooms and clinics. So what we want is for policymakers to step up and improve healthcare provision to provide this treatment. and to properly fund the people.”
Dr. Steve Federico, director of state government affairs in Denver, told American Report that the illegal immigration crisis is pushing the state's hospital system to breaking point and creating a humanitarian crisis. (Fox News)
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Last year, about 8,000 undocumented immigrants were recorded visiting Denver health facilities about 20,000 times for services such as emergency rooms, primary care, dental care and childbirth. The visit left the system with a deficit of about $22 million. The Denver Post reported that it received $20 million from the state, Kaiser Permanente Colorado and private donors. The magazine reported that it reported a loss of $35 million in 2022.
Last year's losses forced the hospital to close 15 beds that would have been used for patients needing psychiatric or addiction treatment, and postpone employee raises and renovations, The Denver Post reported. I no longer get it.
“As a pediatrician, I can tell you what my colleagues see every day. I'm proud to continue to help people. Humanity can help in times of need,” Federico said.
“My medical partners and colleagues have experienced many moral conflicts and have been unable to sleep at night after caring for these patients, wondering if they will receive the necessary medications and follow-up care prescribed. “We're going to need it in the days and weeks after that. We need better systems to help these people get back on their feet and get safe and healthy,” Federico said at The Ingraham. He told “Angle.''
Migrants wait in line to obtain documents allowing them to enter a shelter at an immigration processing center in Denver, Colorado, in May 2023. (Helen H. Richardson/Media News Group/Denver Post via Getty Images)
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) echoed Federico's call for federal aid.
“Without real border security and repair of our broken immigration system, it's no surprise that hospitals across the country are having to treat uninsured immigrants,” a Polis spokesperson said in a statement. A spokesperson for “The Ingraham Angle.''
“Governor Polis once again urges Congress and the President to act quickly and secure our borders.
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In a separate interview Thursday, Federico told American Report that Denver Health has provided at least $130 million in uncompensated care, a small portion of which is related to recently arrived immigrants. He said he was there. Uncompensated care is unreimbursed medical or hospital services provided to people who are uninsured and cannot afford to pay.
This figure includes care for people eligible for Medicaid when the rates paid by the program could not cover the entire amount, according to Denver Health CEO The Denver Post. The report quoted Donna Lynn. About $100 million of that money went to people living in Denver.
A Fox News drone video shows a group of about 2,200 migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border toward Eagle Pass, Texas. (Fox News)
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“That contributed to our economic hardship,” Federico told American Report.
“We need to provide basic (care) to these people. They come to our hospitals as patients who need basic medical care, such as respiratory diseases and gastrointestinal diseases. . Some of them have asthma and diabetes. We have serious dental disease. Our population,” Federico said.
“Some of them develop acute illnesses as a result of their difficult journeys, living in unsanitary conditions and drinking poor quality drinking water.
“So while we are doing our best to care for them from a clinical standpoint, we really need systems to help pay for their care to make sure these patients get the care they need. Is required. “
