Congressman Al Green and other leaders addressed Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order that requires hospitals in Texas to collect information on the immigration status of patients so that the hospitals can then track costs incurred for the care of undocumented migrants.
Previous guidance for hospitals did not include questions about immigration status. The executive order would mandate the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to collect this information so that the state of Texas could then bill the federal government.
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“Due to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ open border policies, Texas has had to foot the bill for medical costs for individuals illegally in the state,” Governor Abbott said in a statement. “Texans should not have to shoulder the burden of financially supporting medical care for illegal immigrants.”
The order requires that hospitals in Texas collect information regarding the costs of medical care provided to undocumented immigrants starting Nov 1, 2024. Direct covered hospitals would have to report data to the state health commission quarterly, beginning in March 2025.
Green stated that the executive order is unacceptable and forces undocumented immigrants to further delay necessary medical interventions for fear of mistreatment due to their citizenship status.
“It is deeply concerning and unacceptable that Governor Abbott’s executive order is forcing undocumented immigrants in Texas to endure such circumstances. Status questions will further delay necessary medical interventions for fear of mistreatment due to their citizenship status. These delays will put lives gravely at risk, and ultimately cost our society more down the line. Healthcare should be equally accessible to all, regardless of race, sex, creed, or citizenship status. It is a fundamental human right to receive emergency healthcare services. We must uphold public health and well-being.”
Watch the full news conference below: