Texas Border Business
By Texas Border Business
AUSTIN, Texas — Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to immediately investigate Mission Regional Medical Center following reports that the hospital advertised “Birth Packages in South Texas” to foreign nationals in an apparent effort to profit from birth tourism.
In a July 7 letter to HHSC Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth, Abbott instructed the agency to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into whether the hospital violated state law or contractual obligations.
According to the governor’s letter, Mission Regional Medical Center, which is regulated by HHSC, is reported to have advertised “BIRTH PACKAGES IN SOUTH TEXAS” in foreign countries while targeting foreign nationals “in an apparent effort to profit from securing United States citizenship for their children.”
Abbott described birth tourism as “an illegal practice that exploits the extraordinary hospitality that the United States and Texas offer to millions of foreign travelers each year.”
“Unfortunately, thousands of foreign travelers come to the United States under false pretenses to give birth and secure citizenship for their children,” Abbott wrote. “As Governor of Texas, I will do everything in my power to assist federal officials to stop this fraudulent practice.”
The governor directed HHSC to investigate the hospital for any violations of state law and contractual obligations. He instructed that any violations identified be referred immediately to the Texas Attorney General for civil enforcement and to the appropriate district or county attorney for criminal prosecution.
Abbott also directed HHSC to take appropriate administrative action against Mission Regional Medical Center, including assessing sanctions and penalties.
“American citizenship is not for sale, and Texas will not permit our healthcare system to be used as a magnet for birth tourism,” Abbott wrote.
The governor also stated that he will work with the Texas Legislature during its next session “to strengthen state law and eliminate birth tourism in Texas.”
Mission Regional Medical Center provided Texas Border Business with the following statement in response to the state’s allegations:
“Mission Regional Medical Center is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare and expanding access to care for the communities we serve. Like hospitals across the country and throughout the region, we share information about the healthcare services we provide. We do not support or facilitate any unlawful activity and work to comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. The marketing materials regarding maternity services are no longer in use due to any unintended misunderstanding. We intend to work cooperatively and transparently with local and state officials. Our focus remains on delivering safe, high-quality care to every patient who seeks our services.”
Read the letter from Governor Abbott below:
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