Texas hospitals will begin collecting information regarding the immigration status of patients who are not legally in the United States this week. Governor Greg Abbott's requirement aims to assess the healthcare costs tied to undocumented immigrants in the state to then request federal reimbursements.
Abbott signed the order 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." Despite the policy, hospitals are required to assure patients that their citizenship status would not affect their access to care. However, experts warn of potential blowback.
