President Joe Biden’s refusal to secure the southern border has led millions of illegal immigrants to pour across the U.S., affecting a hospital in Denver, Colorado, which recently indicated it was nearing a crisis because the illegal immigrants and homeless individuals in the Centennial State are facing healthcare bills that they can’t afford.
The Biden administration’s lax border policies have allowed millions of illegal immigrants to pour into the U.S. through the southern border, raising the cost of unpaid care at Denver Health, Colorado’s largest hospital.
Since 2020, the cost of unpaid care at Denver Health has risen dramatically from about $60 million to around $136 million.
From 2020-2023, as unpaid care costs increased, so did illegal immigration in the Centennial State, according to the chief government and community affairs officer for Denver Health, Dr. Steven Federico.
Federico said that it’s “not surprising” to see unpaid healthcare costs increase, given the eyebrow-raising number of illegal immigrants who have arrived in Denver.
“It’s not surprising when they get to Denver that there’s severe and acute health care needs,” Federico said, noting that Denver Health has treated more than 8,000 new patients from South and Central America since 2023.
WATCH:
Denver Health Chief of Gov't Affairs Dr. Steven Federico joins @SandraSmithFox as a report reveals the Denver hospital system is struggling with unpaid migrant costs, and pleads the federal government for support as the migrant crisis overwhelms Denver and its resources. pic.twitter.com/J4NowtWk0p
— America Reports (@AmericaRpts) January 18, 2024
Among the “severe and acute health care needs” that the illegal immigrants received at Denver Health included dental procedures, childbirth and mental health treatment, according to Denver Health CEO Donna Lynne.
“While I have tremendous compassion for what’s going on, it’s heartbreaking, it’s going to break Denver Health,” Lynne recently told the Denver City Council’s finance and government committee.
With illegal immigration continuing under Biden, Denver Health has been forced to contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist with the expenses associated with treating unlawful migrants.
Colorado offers a state-funded program known as OmniSalud, which pairs “undocumented Coloradans and DACA recipients” to healthcare programs often provided by an employer.
“This plan is designed to improve access, affordability, and racial health equity for consumers purchasing health insurance in individual and small-group markets,” OmniSalud’s website reads.
Although many are blaming illegal immigrants for the ever-increasing unpaid healthcare costs at Denver Health, Federico said the issue is being exacerbated by the number of homeless individuals in the Centennial State.
