Texas hospitals are bracing for a significant shift in how they operate, following a directive from Governor Greg Abbott. As of Friday, these institutions will be mandated to inquire about patients’ immigration status, a move that has sparked a wave of concerns from health experts and advocacy groups.
Impact on Hospitals and Migrants
The executive order, signed in August, is based on the governor’s assertion that the federal government should bear the medical costs of undocumented immigrants. County Health Authority Yvonne Melendez asserts that all public hospitals must comply with the mandate. However, she also acknowledges that it is likely to discourage individuals from seeking medical care.
“It’s difficult to envision enforcing this requirement if patients are reluctant to respond,” Melendez commented. “We can’t deny people care, and I don’t believe it’s appropriate or feasible for physicians or hospitals to be involved in this process.”
Nonprofit Advocacy Groups Respond
Ramona Casas, an organizer with the nonprofit Arise Adelante, expressed hope that the state would reconsider the measure, citing its potential to put undocumented immigrants at risk. “We need a better immigration system that can benefit the more than 11 million people in the country,” Casas stated. “This ordinance will significantly impact the emotional stability of many people in Texas.”
Potential Consequences for Noncompliance
According to Melendez, hospitals that fail to adhere to Abbott’s executive order risk losing federal funding. Notably, the order does not specify that patients are legally obliged to disclose their citizenship status. This omission may spark further controversy and confusion in an already contentious issue.
As Texas hospitals prepare to navigate this new landscape, the debates surrounding healthcare access, immigration policy, and the role of medical providers in enforcing such policies are likely to intensify.
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