May 29, 2025 — During commissioners’ comments at the Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners meeting, a commissioner summarized a recent presentation by Parkview leadership and said local hospitals are incurring substantial uncompensated care because Medicaid and Medicare payments do not fully cover costs.

The commissioner praised Parkview Medical Center and St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center, and noted UCHealth’s role in the regional health system. The commissioner said the hospitals’ uncompensated-care burden underscores the importance of attracting employers that provide quality jobs and health insurance, and of strengthening local education and workforce pipelines to support economic development and stabilize hospital finances.

County leaders also discussed Pueblo’s appeal as a retirement destination because of local health-care capacity and said that hospital quality helps draw new residents. Commissioners said they plan to continue partnering with health systems and local education providers to pursue workforce and economic development strategies that could help offset Medicaid and Medicare shortfalls.