Texas hospitals that accept Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Plan coverage have started asking patients about their immigration status and lawful presence in the United States since November 1st. This new policy is a result of an executive order issued by Governor Greg Abbott earlier this year. However, patients are not required to answer these questions if they choose not to.
According to advocacy groups like the American Civil Liberties Union, patients cannot be forced to disclose their citizenship or immigration status. If a patient decides not to answer, they should not be denied healthcare treatment. Abbott’s order explicitly states that a patient’s response to these questions should not impact the care they receive, in compliance with federal law.
In the event that a hospital employee pressures a patient to respond, the patient can request to speak with the supervising nurse, guest relations staff, or a patient rights advocate. Patients who feel that the hospital staff have acted inappropriately can contact the ACLU for assistance.
The main reason behind this new policy is to help Texas hospitals track the costs associated with caring for undocumented immigrants. By collecting data on patients’ citizenship and immigration status, Abbott aims to gain a better understanding of the financial impact on hospitals. However, hospitals are only required to report statistical information and are not sharing any personal patient details with state agencies.
It is important to note that this questioning can occur at any point during the hospital visit, but it should not affect patient care. The governor’s order specifically applies to hospitals and not their urgent care clinics. All patients, regardless of their ability to pay for care, will be asked about their citizenship or immigration status.
Patients who are more comfortable discussing their rights or concerns in a language other than English should request an interpreter who is fluent in their native language. This ensures that patients fully understand their rights and can communicate effectively with hospital staff.
Overall, while this new hospital policy may raise concerns for some patients, it is crucial to understand that answering questions about citizenship or immigration status is voluntary. Patients should not face any repercussions for choosing not to disclose this information. The primary goal of this policy is to gather data for financial purposes and does not impact the quality of care provided to patients.
