Starting Friday, Texas hospitals will ask patients if they are in the U.S. legally and track costs for treating those without legal status, following an order by Gov. Greg Abbott. Patients are not required to answer these questions, and hospitals must inform them that responses won’t impact their care, per federal law. This mandate mirrors a similar policy in Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis implemented a comparable law last year.
Under the Texas policy, hospitals will begin reporting to the state by March, noting costs by inpatient and emergency care, Medicaid or CHIP coverage, and expenses for uninsured patients. Early drafts indicate data will be anonymized, with no patient names or personal details included. Abbott argues Texans should not bear the financial burden of medical costs for undocumented individuals.
In Florida, the policy has reportedly led to increased fear among immigrant communities, deterring some from seeking necessary care. Texas hospitals, working with the Texas Hospital Association, have aimed to reassure patients that care standards remain unchanged and that hospitals continue to be “a safe place for needed care,” according to association spokesperson Carrie Williams.
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