Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, signed an executive order Thursday requiring hospitals to ask patients about their immigration status to help the state determine the cost of providing medical care to foreign nationals.
Starting November 1, Governor Abbott is directing Texas hospitals to collect data on “patients not legally residing in the United States,” as well as hospital discharge numbers, emergency visits, and costs of care.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission must submit regular reports to state regulators. The order stated:
Governor Abbott highlighted the influx of migrants into Texas along the Mexican border, which he said is straining the Texas health care system and increasing “health care costs for all Texans.”
“President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ open border policies have forced the state of Texas to cover the medical costs of people living in the state illegally.” Abbott said in a statement.
Abbott said states should not “bear the burden” of financially supporting medical costs for foreigners. The order suggests states will look to the federal government for reimbursement for medical costs.
“That is why I am issuing an executive order today to cover the medical costs of illegal immigrants in our state,” the governor said in a statement. “Texas will hold the Biden-Harris Administration accountable for the consequences of its open borders policy and fight to force Texas to pay for its costly and dangerous policies.”
According to reports, CBS NewsRep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas) denounced the order, accusing Governor Abbott of “trying to turn doctors into ICE agents.”
The order is likely to be challenged by immigrant rights advocates. The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.
