Wed Sep 18 01:27:46 UTC 2024: ## Denver Health Faces $155 Million Loss, Pleads for Funding Amid Rising Uninsured Patient Numbers
Denver Health, the state’s largest safety-net hospital, is facing a projected $155.5 million loss from uncompensated care this year, a 10% increase from 2022. This alarming figure reflects a surge in uninsured patients seeking medical attention, particularly those residing within the City and County of Denver.
The hospital treated a staggering 61,000 uninsured patients in 2022, a number that climbed to 75,000 in 2023. Denver Health CEO Donna Lynne emphasized their commitment to serving all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, providing care beyond emergency services and even housing patients to ensure access to ongoing treatment.
Despite this commitment, the City and County of Denver’s annual funding to Denver Health has remained stagnant at $30 million since 1996, while patient visits and healthcare costs have skyrocketed.
Lynne highlights the need for the Denver Health sales tax ballot initiative, which would raise the city’s sales tax by 0.34%, generating an estimated $70 million annually. This initiative, if approved in November, would push Denver’s sales tax rate to 9.15%, surpassing Boulder’s rate and becoming the highest among the Front Range’s ten largest cities.
Lynne acknowledged the unpopularity of tax increases but stressed the urgent need for additional funding. She warned that without the ballot measure’s approval, Denver Health would face drastic measures, including staff cuts and service closures.
This crisis has also drawn attention to the rising number of unhoused patients seeking medical care, with Denver Health reporting a 65% increase in such visits from 8,500 in 2022 to 14,000 in 2023.
The Denver Health sales tax ballot initiative is one of two sales tax proposals facing Denver voters in November. The other proposal seeks a 0.5% sales tax increase to fund affordable housing. The outcome of both proposals will have significant implications for Denver’s healthcare and housing landscapes.
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