Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has taken a decisive step to document the financial impact of illegal immigration on the state’s healthcare system. Through a newly issued executive order, Abbott has mandated that Texas hospitals begin tracking the costs associated with treating illegal immigrants, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the Biden-Harris administration reimburses the state. Abbott argues that Texas should not have to bear the financial burden created by federal immigration policies.
The order, which goes into effect on November 1, 2024, instructs hospitals to collect data on inpatient and emergency care provided to illegal immigrants, including the number of discharges and the total costs. This information will be compiled into annual reports, with the first due in January 2026, and submitted to the state’s top officials. Abbott emphasized that this effort would not affect patient care but is necessary to protect Texas taxpayers from shouldering the costs of federal policies.
Abbott’s move is part of a larger campaign to hold the federal government accountable for the impacts of its immigration policies. By documenting the financial strain on Texas’s healthcare system, Abbott intends to build a case for federal reimbursement. His executive order is a clear message to the Biden-Harris administration that Texas will not passively accept the financial consequences of their immigration policies.
