Denver Health expects to lose more than $60 million annually — roughly the amount the city’s struggling safety-net hospital gained from a sales tax that voters approved last year — once federal Medicaid changes take effect in 2027.

CEO Donna Lynne recently told the Denver City Council’s health committee that the hospital expects a $64.2 million annual loss, mostly because patients who currently have Medicaid will lose coverage, but keep coming for care.

“This is going to create a big problem for us,” she said.

Starting in 2027, people covered under the Medicaid expansion, which raised the maximum income to 138% of the poverty line, will have to prove they’re working, attending school or volunteering at least 80 hours each month.

The work requirement exempts people who are pregna

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