Impact of Illegal Immigration on Denver's Healthcare System
Denver, a sanctuary city, has cared for over 41,000 illegal immigrants in the past two years, leading to strain on city resources and resentment from locals. Denver Health has reported providing $10 million in uncompensated care for 20,000 visits by illegal immigrants in 2023. The strain on hospitals due to the influx of illegal immigrants is investigated in this Washington Examiner series.
Key Points
- Denver Health provided $140 million in total care either not reimbursed for or only partially reimbursed by government programs.
- Denver Health serves nearly 25% of the city's residents, including special populations such as people living in poverty, pregnant teenagers, and the uninsured.
- Denver Health has launched mobile health clinics in partnership with Denver Public Schools to provide free medical care to students and families.
- The influx of illegal immigrants has led to a significant increase in patient population at hospitals like University of Colorado Health, straining resources and costing millions of dollars.
Pros
- Healthcare workers are dedicated to providing emergency care to all individuals seeking help, regardless of their ability to pay.
Cons
- The influx of illegal immigrants has led to financial strain on Denver Health, with $10 million in uncompensated care reported for 2023 alone.