{"id":854,"date":"2025-12-29T21:00:22","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T22:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/attorneycalendar.com\/?p=854"},"modified":"2026-01-06T02:07:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T02:07:09","slug":"uchealths-commitment-to-caring-for-coloradans-in-need-is-not-shown-in-misleading-report-on-profits-opinion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/attorneycalendar.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/29\/uchealths-commitment-to-caring-for-coloradans-in-need-is-not-shown-in-misleading-report-on-profits-opinion\/","title":{"rendered":"UCHealth\u2019s commitment to caring for Coloradans in need is not shown in misleading report on profits (Opinion)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following a misleading report on hospital finances<\/a>, The Denver Post published an editorial that misrepresents<\/a> UCHealth\u2019s role in caring for Colorado patients and misstates key facts about our financial operations. Despite our efforts to provide accurate information, the editorial board\u2019s column understates UCHealth\u2019s uncompensated care, mischaracterizes our service to Medicaid patients and perpetuates misconceptions about investment income.<\/p>\n

These inaccuracies are easily disproven by publicly available data, and we believe it\u2019s important to set the record straight.<\/p>\n

UCHealth does more than any health system in Colorado to care for Medicaid patients, and we are proud to do so.<\/p>\n

Last year, UCHealth served 30% of all hospitalized Medicaid patients in Colorado, twice as many as any other provider. At our flagship facility, University of Colorado Hospital, we cared for almost 18,000 hospitalized Medicaid patients and provided over $280 million in uncompensated care, more than any other hospital in the state. This is not just a statistic; it reflects our deep commitment to ensuring access to care for those who need it most.<\/p>\n

In fiscal year 2025 alone, UCHealth provided approximately $670 million in uncompensated care \u2013 an amount that has been growing as more Coloradans become uninsured or need assistance with their health care bills. Unlike some hospitals that receive financial support from local cities, counties, or taxpayers, UCHealth received no such funding last year. Every dollar we earn is reinvested in Colorado \u2013 supporting patients, employees and communities across our state.<\/p>\n

We agree that health care affordability and insurance premium increases are a real concern for Coloradans, especially as premiums are expected to double for those who buy their insurance from the exchange.<\/p>\n

UCHealth is dedicated to making health care accessible and affordable. We provide free care for anyone whose household income is below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines \u2013 about $80,000 per year for a family of four \u2013 and significant discounts for those earning up to 400% of the guidelines \u2013 $128,000 for a family of four. These programs ensure that hundreds of thousands of Coloradans receive the care they need, regardless of their ability to pay.<\/p>\n

We also support rural hospitals across Colorado by offering low-cost IT services, advanced medical records and accepting thousands of patient transfers from hospitals unable to provide a higher level of care. These partnerships help stabilize rural health care and keep care local whenever possible.<\/p>\n

Despite our total expenses increasing by 9.3% last year, UCHealth\u2019s average reimbursement rate rose by only 2.0%. This gap underscores the financial pressures facing health systems and how providers are working to minimize price increases for patients.<\/p>\n

UCHealth is proud to be a Colorado-based nonprofit health system and one of the state\u2019s largest employers. All revenue stays in Colorado and is reinvested to support patients, employees, and communities. Our mission is clear: to improve lives and provide exceptional care for all Coloradans.<\/p>\n

The editorial places undue emphasis on investment income, which is highly volatile and includes unrealized gains. Just as a household would not base its monthly budget on the performance of a retirement account, it would be irresponsible for a health care provider to rely on long-term investments to fund operations. These gains can disappear overnight. This volatility is precisely why investment gains or losses should not be used as a measure of financial stability. UCHealth\u2019s financial reserve, which is typical for a system of our size, enables us to care for patients during times of uncertainty, including pandemics, federal government shutdowns that delay or stop payments to hospitals, or dramatic increases in expenses.<\/p>\n

The appropriate metric for measuring a hospital\u2019s stability is operating margin. UCHealth\u2019s operating margin last year was 3.5%, a level that provides stability but little excess. This modest margin allows us to maintain high-quality services, invest in technology, provide updated equipment for our patients and recruit top clinicians, all while navigating rising costs and reimbursement challenges.<\/p>\n

We welcome thoughtful dialogue about health care costs and access. But that conversation must be grounded in facts. UCHealth\u2019s record speaks for itself: unparalleled service to Medicaid patients, hundreds of millions in uncompensated care, more than $1 billion in total community benefits, and a steadfast commitment to affordability and community health. These are the values that guide us, and they deserve to be recognized accurately.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth B. Concordia is the president and CEO of UCHealth.<\/em><\/p>\n

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To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online<\/a> or check out our guidelines<\/a> for how to submit by email or mail.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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