Gov. Greg Abbott threatens Texas hospital after doctor trashes state’s migrant ID order

After a cardiologist posted a viral video telling Texas hospital patients they’re not required to answer questions posed about their citizenship status, Gov. Greg Abbott fired off a tweet appearing to threaten funding for the doctor’s hospital.

Dr. Tony Pastor posted a TikTok video blasting Abbott’s recent executive order that Texas hospitals must collect the citizenship status of immigrants they treat. In the clip, Pastor said he worries the information could be used to deport undocumented immigrants.

“Hey Texas Children’s Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine, this doctor is putting your Medicaid and Medicare funding at risk,” Abbott tweeted earlier this week, sharing an article about Pastor’s video.

“You better think twice & have crystal clear records,” the Republican governor continued. “There will be consequences for failing to follow the law in the Executive Order.”

In August, Abbott issued an order demanding Texas’ public hospitals start reporting health care costs they incur treating undocumented immigrants. That’s required facilities that accept Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Plan coverage to ask patients to state their immigration status and whether they’re undocumented.

Under the law, hospitals can’t force anyone to answer the questions, nor can they withhold care for those who don’t, the American Civil Liberties Union and other advocacy groups maintain.

Civil-rights advocates have blasted Abbott’s order as an effort to demonize and intimidate immigrants for political gain. Physicians have also raised concerns the rule could sway immigrants from seeking needed medical care.

In a statement issued to Newsweek, which first reported on Abbott’s tweet, Texas Children’s Hospital said it’s in “full compliance” with the state order. Officials with the Hospital added that its physicians have their own opinions on policy issues.

“While we recognize that individuals working at Texas Children’s hold their own personal views on many topics, those opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of Texas Children’s Hospital,” the statement continued. “We will continue to prioritize patient care while ensuring we are in full compliance with all laws and legal directives.”

As of Wednesday morning’s deadline, Pastor’s video had been removed from his TikTok account.

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This article appears in Nov 13-26, 2024.