(Patriot.Buzz) – Highlighting the damaging outcomes of the Biden administration’s open border policy allowing illegal migrants into America, a hospital system in Denver issued an urgent warning to local legislators regarding its precarious financial state, worsened by the ongoing migrant crisis.
According to a report by the Denver Post, Denver Health experienced an overwhelming surge of approximately 20,000 visits from 8,000 Central American migrants in 2023, addressing a wide array of health needs ranging from dental emergencies to mental health counseling.
The city of Denver has become a destination for over 36,000 illegal immigrants, predominantly Venezuelan, since December 2022. About half of these migrants have chosen to settle in the city.
This dramatic influx has significantly strained Denver Health’s resources, resulting in a $2 million loss last year, following a staggering $35 million loss the previous year. The hospital system narrowly avoided a more severe financial crisis in 2023, thanks partly to a $20 million infusion from the state, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, and private donors.
The financial strain has forced Denver Health to make difficult decisions, including closing 15 psychiatric and addiction treatment beds, limiting salary increases, and deferring much-needed renovations.
Steve Federico, Chief of Government and Community Affairs for Denver Health, expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “If we were to have another year like [2022], it would have dire consequences.”
In 2023, the hospital faced an alarming $136 million loss due to unpaid patient bills, including millions in care costs for illegal immigrants that were not reimbursed by state and federal governments.
Donna Lynne, CEO of Denver Health, appealed to Denver council members for increased financial support, emphasizing the hospital system’s critical state. Lynne expressed, “While I have tremendous compassion for what’s going on, it’s heartbreaking, it’s going to break Denver Health.”
City councilwoman Amanda Sawyer pointed out the city’s limited capacity to absorb the cost for patients who are unable to pay, as not all system patients reside in Denver. However, a proposed bill in the statehouse aims to provide Denver Health with $5 million annually.
