On August 8, 2024, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA-46, which requires the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to direct public hospitals in the state to collect demographic information on patients that will enable hospital staff to determine how many inpatient and emergency care patients at the hospital are undocumented. HHSC must also direct hospitals to collect and report back to HHSC the health care costs that those undocumented patients incur. The processes outlined in the Executive Order begin Nov. 1, 2024, also the date DACA recipients around the U.S. will first be able to enroll in Marketplace health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.
The governor seeks to use hospital reports to justify his understanding that “the federal government may and should be obligated to reimburse the State of Texas for the costs” of treating undocumented patients. However, statewide public health systems are not appropriate environments for testing out policies that the governor believes “may and should” exist.
Abbott’s Executive Order will lead to fewer Texans and their families seeking medical care when they need it, even when dire medical needs make expensive health care necessary at the emergency room. These are Texans who generally already avoid less expensive medical care in settings like clinics and health centers because they are uninsured and often concerned about the cost and documentation requirements. The well-documented “chilling effect” of policies like this one will further marginalize undocumented individuals and their family members – even those who are lawfully present – from enrolling in health coverage programs and seeking out necessary medical care.
Texas’ economy — particularly our construction, agricultural, and service sectors — will suffer as a result, as injured and sick workers are unable to return to work. Meanwhile, Texas families will suffer the governor’s policies as he threatens their rights to seek medical care in emergencies.
Hmmmm
If they are undocumented are they “Texans”? Are they “lawfully present?”
I have been receiving and reading TDMR for years now and the articles are usually great.
This editorial is deifinitely missing the point. Where do these tax dollars come from?
This is a news editorial published for interest. TDMR is not advocating any position here.