As of November 1, hospitals in Texas are required by an executive order issued by Governor Greg Abbott to ask patients if they are citizens of the United States. The order aims to assess the healthcare costs tied to undocumented immigrants in the state to then request federal reimbursements.
Abbott signed the order back in August, claiming that Texas "absorbs a large percentage of the costs associated with medical care for individuals who are not lawfully in the United States." Concerns from organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas emerged right off the bat, with fears that the new requirement may discourage undocumented residents from seeking necessary medical attention.
