(COLORADO SPRINGS)— The Colorado Hospital Association encompasses 110 hospitals across Colorado with 70% of their hospitals working with thin or negative margins.

The president of CHA Jeff Tieman explains, “We have seen our costs and expenses grow far faster than our revenues for several years now. We’ve seen expenses and labor and equipment rising at double digits, approaching, you know, 30, 40, 50% cost increases over those few years.”

One of their main concerns is if lawmakers decide to cut funding. 

60% of their funding comes from Medicare or Medicaid insurance, which has already had an impact on patient care since the pandemic.

“Patients show up sicker than they would have been before.” Tieman says, “They show up sick because they neglected or postponed care during the pandemic or because they lost coverage and felt like they couldn’t afford to go see the doctor.”

CHA’s mission is to put patients first and with possible budget cuts in the future they urge legislators to think twice before voting for cuts during the 2025 legislative session.