Texas Governor Greg Abbott has taken a bold step in holding the Biden administration accountable for the costs associated with providing medical care to illegal immigrants in the state. In a move that has sparked controversy, Abbott issued an executive order mandating that public hospitals collect data on patients’ immigration statuses and report the healthcare costs to the state government.
Under Order GA 46, public hospitals in Texas will be required to gather information on illegal immigrants who receive inpatient and emergency care and submit quarterly reports on the associated medical expenses. The goal is to track the financial burden placed on the state by illegal migrants and seek reimbursement from the federal government.
Governor Abbott did not mince words in his statement, blaming President Biden and Vice President Harris for the influx of illegal immigrants entering the U.S. through the Southern Border. He emphasized that Texas should not have to bear the financial responsibility for providing medical care to individuals who are in the state illegally.
Critics of the executive order, such as the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), argue that it could deter immigrants from seeking necessary medical treatment out of fear. They are calling for a more compassionate approach that addresses the root causes of migration and provides a pathway to citizenship for undocumented individuals.
As the debate over immigration policy continues to heat up, Governor Abbott’s executive order has put a spotlight on the complex issues surrounding healthcare for illegal immigrants and the financial implications for states like Texas. The implementation of this new rule on November 1 will undoubtedly spark further discussion and debate on how best to address the challenges posed by illegal immigration.
