The University of Colorado system evokes pride for all of Colorado. From its academic reputation to its athletic achievements to its research resources, every part of the state is positively impacted by our state’s largest institution of higher education.

It’s not surprising then that UCHealth, a massive and growing health system, would want to benefit from an implicit connection to the university.

Yet, UCHealth’s association with the University of Colorado is not clear. While UCHealth is listed in public records as “University of Colorado Health,” the institution does not appear to be directly linked to the university.  Furthermore, it often seems to act in a manner that is not consistent with the values of a public institution that is supposed to operate for the benefit of the state.

The question for policymakers and regulators is, does UCHealth want to have it both ways – benefiting from the “UC” initials but not carrying out the responsibilities that should come with those powerful letters?

UCHealth emerged in 2012 from a merger between the University of Colorado Hospital Authority and the the Poudre Valley Health System.

The University of Colorado Hospital Authority is a quasi-government agency that has a loose relationship with the state of Colorado. A recent bond issuance states that the University of Colorado Hospital Authority “is a body corporate and political subdivision of the State created to own and operate the facilities constituting the University of Colorado Hospital.”

Once formed as a nonprofit hospital system, UCHealth began to expand at a remarkable rate along the Front Range, from Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs to Poudre Valley in Fort Collins.

But allegations have emerged that this institution might not be operating in a manner consistent with its status as a nonprofit, which comes with the expectation that it provides community benefits in exchange for the generous tax breaks it receives.

There is a well-documented concern about UCHealth’s treatment of low-income individuals, especially at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora.

Even more concerning, UCHealth has created a network of free-standing Emergency Departments with its for-profit partner, Adeptus Health. The venture has come under criticism – including accusations of double billing.

Mike Ware, chief executive of the El Paso County Medical Society, said he’s received complaints from colleagues that First Choice – the institution’s name before UCHealth took over – siphons off the best-insured patients, while leaving other health-care providers to shoulder a greater share of Medicaid and Medicare patients.

Let’s be clear, generally speaking there is nothing inherently wrong with free-standing EDs, particularly when they are a gateway to providing access to care. The issue, in my view, is more about the mission of UCHealth as a charitable health care provider in the state and the continued support from the state government that it receives for playing that role.

The University of Colorado is very particular about its brand. According to the university, “Our brand is a promise we make about all things related to the University of Colorado (CU): our campuses, our foundation, and our system. Our brand is more than a name or a logo.” Given the university’s desire to build the community, questions remain why the university system would allow a hospital system to imply a connection when it’s not upholding the university’s public spirit.

If a hospital needs the brand and the good name of our public university to attract patients, perhaps the hospital should focus more on the care it is providing to patients, particularly our state’s neediest residents.