Denver Health, the public healthcare system in Denver, is facing a dire situation as it grapples with a surge in patients unable to pay their medical bills.
While Denver residents and those on Medicaid make up the majority of individuals receiving uncompensated care, officials have pointed to the unprecedented influx of illegal immigrants as the tipping point.
According to the Denver Gazette, the reported amount of uncompensated care in 2023 reached $135 million, a $10 million increase from the previous year. It is worth noting that $100 million of this bill was incurred by city residents, and the total includes visits that will eventually be covered by Medicaid.
Despite these figures, Dr. Donna Lynne, the CEO of Denver Health, expressed deep concern about the system's current state, stating that it is "at a critical, critical point." She further explained that due to the system's costs surpassing its revenues, patients are being turned away on a daily basis, particularly in the areas of mental health and substance abuse.
Dr. Lynne added, "While I have immense compassion for the situation, it's heartbreaking. This is going to break Denver Health." Dr. Steven Federico, the Chief Government and Community Affairs Officer, attributed the surge in uncompensated care to the growing number of illegal immigrants utilizing the system. He estimated that approximately 8,000 individuals had made 20,000 visits to the hospital.
Dr. Taylor McCormick, the Associate Director of Pediatrics Emergency Medicine, emphasized that the majority of these patients lack medical insurance, leaving Denver Health to bear the cost of their visits. "There will come a point where the numbers make this extremely difficult," McCormick warned. "To a certain extent, we are already beyond the breaking point."
Since the onset of the crisis, Denver has received over 37,000 illegal immigrants, many of whom are being cared for at the expense of taxpayers. The strain on Denver Health's resources has reached a critical level, necessitating immediate attention and action to address the financial burden caused by uncompensated care.
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