Texas Gov. Greg Abbott last week threatened to revoke government funding from a children's hospital after a Houston doctor advised patients on TikTok to skip citizenship questions on medical forms.
In early August, Mr. Abbott issued an executive order requiring hospitals that accept Medicaid and children's health insurance plans to ask patients, “Are you a U.S. citizen?” Regarding specific intake forms. The new order went into effect on November 1st.
Dr. Tony Pastor, a cardiologist at Texas Children's Hospital and an assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, took to TikTok on Nov. 11 to say that he and other staff members at the hospital “don't need people to get infected. ” was said to the audience. Answer new questions despite the executive order.
His video went viral, garnering over 1 million views before it was removed.
“So my suggestion to everyone watching this is please know that you don't have to answer this question,” the pastor said in the now-deleted video.
Mr. Abbott responded with a complaint on Nov. 24. ×postwarned the hospital that the pastor's comments could cause the hospital to lose funding.
TikTok tells people they don't have to answer
Citizenship Questions.
“Hey, Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, this doctor is putting your Medicaid and Medicare funds at risk. [You] Better think it over and keep a clear record,” Abbott wrote.
“There will be consequences for disobeying the laws of order.”
The pastor posted a short response on Nov. 26 to the governor's apparent threat.
“When the Governor of Texas threatens you on Twitter because he's angry, you're exercising your free speech rights,” the pastor captioned. TikTok post.
“This new law that requires hospitals to have immigration status is in the name of trying to get data on how much money they are spending on undocumented patients,” he said. another video It was posted a few days before Mr Abbott's response.
A representative from Texas Children's Hospital wrote: statement He said he would abide by Abbott's executive order and argued that the chaplain's position did not reflect the hospital as a whole.
“Texas Children’s fully supports and is in full compliance with Governor Abbott’s new executive order. We are working closely with the Texas Hospital Association and our industry partners across the state to We have ensured compliance throughout the years,” the spokesperson said.
“We recognize that those who work at Texas Children's Hospital have personal views on many topics, and those opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of Texas Children's Hospital. continues to prioritize patient care while fully complying with all laws and legal directives.”
Meanwhile, other medical and advocacy groups in the state are offering the same advice as the pastor.
“If you don't want to answer citizenship questions, you don't have to. Your answers won't affect your treatment. You won't be turned away.” flyer A post from the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reads:
“Regardless of your citizenship or immigration status, you have a right to life-saving care.”
The American Civil Liberties Union agreed, agreeing that patients are not legally required to answer new questions.
Texas Children's Hospital previously announced a 2022 ban on transgender children, following Abbott's direction for Child Protective Services to investigate parents and doctors who provide gender-affirming care to transgender youth. He was following state orders, including discontinuing hormone-related prescriptions.
