Gov. Greg Abbott has threatened to withdraw funding from Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, and Texas Children’s Hospital after a Houston doctor said that patients do not have to indicate whether they are U.S. Citizens on their intake forms.
Abbott’s executive order went into effect on Nov. 1, requiring Texas public hospitals to collect information from undocumented immigrant patients and to report this data to the State. The change has been criticized by critics who fear it will scare away people from the hospitals in Texas. However, Texas Children’s Hospital insists they are complying with the executive order.
Tony Pastor, a doctor and assistant professor of Baylor College of Medicine and Texas’s Children’s Hospital, has posted a TikTok stating that patients are not required to answer the question, and they do not need to disclose their legal immigration status.
This TikTok was a viral hit, gaining over a half-million views before it was taken down. Pastor claimed he had not expected this. Abbott replied to it on X by telling Texas Children’s Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine, “This doctor puts your Medicaid and Medicare funds at risk.”
Hey Texas Children’s Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine, this doctor is putting your Medicaid and Medicare funding at risk.
You better think twice & have crystal clear records.
There will be consequences for failing to follow the law in the Executive Order.…
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 25, 2024
Abbott warned, “You’d better be careful and keep your records in order.” “There will consequences for not following the law in the Executive Order.”
Texas Children’s Hospital stated in a press release that they fully support the order and are in “full compliance”.
The statement read: “While we acknowledge that Texas Children’s employees have their own opinions on many topics, these opinions do not necessarily represent the official position of Texas Children’s Hospital.”
The pastor said that he decided to not speak any further about this topic.
He said, “I have decided not to speak any further about this topic as I care far too much for patients to risk it.”
