Beyond the debates, numbers tell a story. And for Phoenix, the numbers look better – now and into the future.

A new Urban Institute report estimates Affordable Care Act effects on Phoenix and thirteen other cities. It estimates expected changes in health coverage, and the additional federal spending for health care that will flow to these cities.

For Phoenix, the report projects a 54% decline in the uninsured by 2016 (from 24.53% to 11.26%), plus an inflow of nearly $10 billion in federal funds. The analysis further revealed that cities in states expanding Medicaid like Phoenix will average a 57% decline in the uninsured, while cities in states without expansion will average a 30% decline.

The effects are significant in just the first four months of 2014. Only last year, many hospitals were discussing whether they could whether the storm of unpaid services. Now, The Arizona Republic reports on an Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association survey that revealed a 31% decrease in uncompensated care amongst 75% of the state’s hospitals.

The Republic article quotes Maryvale Hospital CEO describing the effects of increased coverage through Medicaid expansion as “lifesaving.” And life saving is a far more appropriate track for our hospitals and their ability to support community health than bankruptcy or closure.