Texas Gov. Abbott threatens to defund hospital over doctor’s viral TikTok

[Karah Rucker]

A VIRAL TIKTOK VIDEO IS CAUSING TENSION BETWEEN TEXAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AND GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT.

THE VIDEO – POSTED BY ONE OF THE HOSPITAL’S DOCTORS –

WAS SPEAKING OUT AGAINST AN EXECUTIVE ORDER SIGNED BY ABBOTT WHICH REQUIRES TEXAS PUBLIC HOSPITALS TO COLLECT INFORMATION ABOUT PATIENTS’ IMMIGRATION STATUS –

AND REPORT HEALTHCARE COSTS FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS TO THE STATE.

IN DOCTOR TONY PASTOR’S TIKTOK VIDEO –

HE TELLS PATIENTS THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT CITIZENSHIP –

AND SAYS HE WAS SIMPLY WANTING TO INFORM THE PUBLIC.

“My proposal to everyone is just know you don’t have to answer this question, and my second proposal, wouldn’t it be amazing if everyone who comes in doesn’t answer it and it really messes with whatever data they’re looking for.”

BUT THE VIDEO CAUGHT THE EYE OF THE GOVERNOR –

WHO POSTED ON X IN RESPONSE –

SAYING “Hey Texas Children’s Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine this doctor is putting your Medicaid & Medicare funding at risk.  You better think twice & have crystal clear records. There will be consequences for failing to follow the law in the Order.

IN A STATEMENT – THE HOSPITAL RESPONDED.

SAYING “Texas Children’s fully supports Governor Abbott’s new Executive Order and is in full compliance. While we recognize that individuals working at Texas Children’s hold their own personal views on many topics, those opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of Texas Children’s Hospital.”

THE EXECUTIVE ORDER WENT INTO EFFECT NOVEMBER FIRST –

REQUIRING TEXAS HOSPITALS TO GATHER INFORMATION ON A MIGRANT’S LEGAL STATUS WHEN USING PUBLIC HEALTHCARE SERVICES –

AND REPORT RELATED COSTS FROM THEIR VISIT.

THE GOVERNOR ARGUES THE STATE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO COVER THE MEDICAL EXPENSES OF INDIVIDUALS IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY.

ABBOTT IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT –

BLAMING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S BORDER POLICIES FOR PUTTING TEXAS TAXPAYERS IN THE POSITION TO COVER MIGRANT MEDICAL EXPENSES.

THE EXECUTIVE ORDER DOES NOT MEAN MIGRANTS WHO ARE IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY WON’T BE TREATED AT HOSPITALS.

ABBOTT SAYS THE LAW IS FOR DOCUMENTATION OF EXPENSES –

THE LAW SPECIFICALLY STATES IT IS NOT A BARRIER TO TREATMENT.

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