Texas Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to restrict federal funding from Texas hospitals that refuse to 鈥渇ollow the law鈥� after a Houston doctor asserted via social media that patients do not need to disclose their immigration status.
An executive order issued by Abbott earlier this year directed Texas hospitals to ask patients if they are U.S. citizens and begin collecting information about those who are not. The order, however, does not specifically mandate patients to answer the question.
鈥淭he way the country is moving, I worry that this is information that people are going to use to deport people,鈥� Tony Pastor, a Texas Children鈥檚 Hospital cardiologist said in a viral video that garnered a response from the governor.
鈥淭echnically, legally we were told today that people do not actually have to answer the question,鈥� Pastor said.
Abbott鈥檚 order, which went into effect on Nov. 1, directs hospitals to inform patients that their response does not affect patient care. Under the executive order, Texas hospitals must report that data and the exact costs of their medical visits to the Health and Services Commission on a quarterly basis.
Pointing blame at the Biden-Harris Administration鈥檚 border policies, the order asserts that the federal government should be obligated to reimburse the state for the costs. This is just one move in the state鈥檚 recent attempts to quantify the possible costs associated with illegal immigration.
鈥淔ederal law contributes to the growth of uncompensated medical costs by requiring that any individual must be allowed to obtain emergency medical treatment regardless of that individual鈥檚 immigration status, or willingness or ability to pay for such treatment,鈥� the order states.
One in every six Texans have no health insurance and hospitals are required by federal law to treat patients in emergency departments regardless of their ability to pay, according to the Texas Hospital Association.
Pastor said the governor鈥檚 new executive order has made physicians and medical providers uncomfortable.
鈥淵ou should come to a hospital if you are sick, you should get healthcare if you are sick,鈥� Pastor said.
In response, Abbott, , said the doctor is putting Medicaid and Medicare funding at risk for the Texas Children鈥檚 Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine.
鈥淵ou better think twice & have crystal clear records,鈥� Abbott said.
In a statement, Texas Children鈥檚 Hospital said it鈥檚 in full compliance with Abbott鈥檚 executive order.
鈥淲hile we recognize that individuals working at Texas Children鈥檚 hold their own personal views on many topics, these opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of Texas Children鈥檚 Hospital,鈥� the statement said. 鈥淲e will continue to prioritize patient care while ensuring we are in full compliance with all laws and legal directives.鈥�
Non-citizens have been known to use emergency department services at a significantly lower rate than those born in the United States. A study cited in the showed non-citizens do not immediately cause a disproportionate burden on the U.S. healthcare system.
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