Texas hospitals are now required to ask patients about their citizenship status as part of an executive order from Governor Greg Abbott. This order, signed in August, aims to gather information on the costs of providing medical care to undocumented individuals in the state. Governor Abbott believes that Texas bears a significant financial burden in caring for those who are not legally in the country.
The Texas Hospital Association has reported that the state has the highest uninsured rate in the nation, with 17% of the population lacking insurance. This means that many people receive medical care without the ability to pay for it. Last year, Texas hospitals provided over $8 billion in charity care to uninsured individuals, with a large portion of that amount going unreimbursed.
It is important to note that most uninsured individuals in Texas are actually citizens, not undocumented immigrants. While there are approximately 1.6 million undocumented immigrants living in the state, they do not make up the majority of the uninsured population. In fact, they visit hospitals less frequently than U.S. citizens.
Critics of the executive order, such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, argue that it may deter undocumented individuals from seeking necessary medical treatment. They emphasize that patients are not required to answer questions about their citizenship status and cannot be denied care based on their response. The ACLU is considering legal action against the Governor’s order to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their immigration status, have access to healthcare.
Despite concerns raised by advocacy groups, the Texas Hospital Association has assured patients that the new rule will not impact their ability to receive medical care. Spokesperson Carrie Williams emphasized that hospitals remain a safe place for individuals in need of treatment. Each hospital is working to comply with the reporting requirements outlined in the order to ensure that data is submitted to the Health and Human Services Commission as mandated.
It is important to clarify that this order applies only to hospitals that participate in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. These facilities will be required to report patient data related to citizenship status on a quarterly basis, with the first submission due in March 2025. The goal of this reporting is to provide a clearer picture of the financial implications of providing healthcare to undocumented individuals in Texas.
