Abbott’s order would require Texas public hospitals to collect information about patients’ immigration status

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Gov. Greg Abbott signed an executive order Thursday that requires Texas public hospitals to collect information on patients’ immigration status so hospitals can track costs incurred in caring for undocumented migrants.

Previous guidance for public hospitals did not include questions about immigration status. The executive order would direct the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to collect that information so the state of Texas can then bill the federal government.

“Because of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ open border policies, Texas has had to cover the costs of treating people who are in the state illegally,” Abbott said in a statement Thursday. “Texans should not have to bear the financial burden of supporting healthcare for undocumented immigrants.”

The order requires Texas public hospitals to collect information on the costs of health care provided to undocumented immigrants starting November 1, 2024. Hospitals directly covered by the order would be required to report the data quarterly to the state health board starting in March 2025.

“This would be a new requirement, and we are reviewing it as quickly as possible,” said Carrie Williams, a spokeswoman for the Texas Hospital Association. “Currently, hospitals do not ask about a patient’s immigration status as a condition of treatment. Hospitals are required by law to provide life-saving treatment to anyone, regardless of ability to pay or status.”

The association will be better able to respond to additional questions once it has more time to review the ordinance, Williams said.

Disclosure: The Texas Hospital Association has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a full list of them here.

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