Denver Health Faces Financial Crisis Amid Migrant Surge

Uncompensated care costs soar to $136 million as hospital struggles to meet demand.

Denver Health, Colorado's largest safety net hospital, is facing a financial crisis due to a surge in uncompensated care costs, largely attributed to the ongoing migrant crisis.
In 2020, the hospital had about $60 million in unpaid care. By 2022, that number more than doubled to $125 million and then jumped another $11 million in 2023, totaling $136 million.
Denver Health treated 8,000 new patients from South and Central America in the last year, accounting for 20,000 hospital visits.
The hospital has had to close 15 beds normally reserved for psychiatric or addiction treatment due to financial constraints, and is reportedly turning down patients daily.
Denver Health officials are calling for additional public support and funding to help provide healthcare to the increasing number of patients.