Governor Greg Abbott (R) has directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to immediately investigate Mission Regional Medical Center over allegations that the hospital marketed "birth packages" to foreign nationals as part of an effort to profit from birth tourism.
Why is the hospital being investigated?
Gov. Abbott ordered the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to launch an immediate investigation into Mission Regional Medical Center following reports that the hospital advertised "Birth Packages South Texas" to foreign nationals.
According to Gov. Abbott, the reported marketing promoted travel to South Texas for childbirth, allowing children born in the United States to obtain U.S. citizenship.
The governor said the investigation will determine whether the hospital violated state laws or contractual obligations.
What Abbott is saying
Abbott called birth tourism an abuse of both the immigration system and Texas' healthcare infrastructure.
Gov. Greg Abbott: "Birth tourism is an illegal practice that exploits the extraordinary hospitality that the United States and Texas offer to millions of foreign travelers each year."
Gov. Abbott continued: "Thousands of foreign travelers come to the United States under pretenses to give birth and secure citizenship for their children."
What actions did Abbott order?
In a letter to HHSC Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young Muth, Abbott directed the agency to:
- Immediately investigate Mission Regional Medical Center.
- Determine whether the hospital violated state law or contractual obligations.
- Refer any violations to the Texas Attorney General for civil enforcement.
- Refer potential criminal violations to the appropriate district or county attorney.
- Impose administrative sanctions and penalties against the hospital if warranted.
Abbott also said he intends to work with the Texas Legislature during the next legislative session to strengthen state laws addressing birth tourism.
What is birth tourism?
Birth tourism refers to the practice of foreign nationals traveling to the United States to give birth so their child automatically acquires U.S. citizenship under current interpretations of the 14th Amendment.
Abbott argued that some travelers enter the country under false pretenses specifically to obtain citizenship benefits for their children.
What's next?
HHSC is expected to begin its investigation immediately.
If violations are identified, the agency has been directed to pursue administrative penalties while referring the matter to state prosecutors and the Attorney General's Office for possible civil or criminal enforcement.
Mission Regional Medical Center has not publicly responded to the governor's allegations at the time of writing this.
