Hospitals struggle with costs of migrant care

When it comes to the cost of treating uninsured patients, including migrants, the numbers don’t lie, and some health systems are on the verge of collapse from the cost.

Emergency hospitals have historically had to take on the burden of uninsured Americans. By law, nobody can be turned away without the emergency care they need.

But health care systems such as a major one in Denver are simply on the verge of collapse.

Last year, Denver Health provided about $130 million in uncompensated care. About $10 million of that was for migrant care. From October through December of 2023, migrants made up one-tenth of the visits.