New Order Requires Hospitals to Report Patient Citizenship Status Starting November 1
In a recent development, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order mandating that hospitals inquire about the citizenship status of all patients. Starting November 1, 2024, this order seeks to assist Texas in tracking healthcare expenditures associated with undocumented immigrants. Furthermore, the state plans to use this data to apply for federal funds, aiming to offset these costs.
Financial Impact on the Texas Healthcare System
Governor Abbott emphasized that the purpose of the order is, above all, financial. By gathering data on undocumented patients, Texas aims to quantify the state’s healthcare spending more accurately. Notably, hospitals must submit the collected data to Texas Health and Human Services by March 1, 2025, with continued quarterly reports thereafter. With this information, Texas officials hope to secure increased federal support. Abbott underscored the financial strain on Texas, stating, “Texas should not have to bear the financial burden of supporting medical care for illegal immigrants.”
Concerns Raised About Patient Rights
While hospitals are now obligated to ask about citizenship status, patients are not legally required to answer. Kristen Etter, the director of policy and legal services at the Texas Immigration Law Council, highlighted that Texas hospitals must provide emergency care irrespective of a patient’s background or circumstances. “This mandate doesn’t change the fact that emergency medical care must be provided without discrimination,” she said.
Hospitals’ Commitment to Patient Care
Several Texas hospitals, including CHRISTUS Spohn and Driscoll Children’s Hospital, have voiced their commitment to patient care regardless of the new requirement. CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital released a statement affirming its compliance with the executive order but clarified that “any response to these information requests will not affect patient care.” Similarly, Driscoll Children’s Hospital reinforced that they would continue their policy of never turning a child away, adding that they remain dedicated to “maintaining compliance with all applicable federal and state laws.”
The Border Policy Debate
Governor Abbott’s executive order reflects his ongoing stance on immigration, which he attributes to what he calls the federal administration’s “open border policies.“ In a press release, Abbott referenced Operation Lone Star, an initiative aimed at strengthening border security. Since its inception, the program has reportedly led to over 516,300 apprehensions of undocumented immigrants and 45,300 criminal arrests, highlighting the strain on Texas resources.
As Texas hospitals begin implementing this policy, the debate over healthcare access and immigration policy continues. This new requirement underscores the ongoing challenges facing border states in managing healthcare resources amid political and economic tensions.