Texas hospitals paid nearly $122 million in health care costs by illegal immigrants last year, the state's first month since it began tracking the data.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed an executive order in August to require the Texas Health and Public Service Commission (THHSC) to track the number of “illegal existence individuals” using Texas public hospitals in the United States.
The first report released last Friday showed that more than 31,000 hospital visits were seen in November alone, causing $121.8 million in damage to hospitals in the state of Session.
Texas hospitals paid nearly $122 million in health care costs by illegal immigrants last year, the state's first month since it began tracking the data. Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed an executive order in August to require the Texas Health and Public Service Commission (THHSC) to track the number of “illegal existence individuals” using Texas public hospitals in the United States. (Getty Image)
Healthcare costs for illegal immigrants soar
Abbott’s executive order directs Texas hospitals to provide a quarterly breakdown of THHSC for patients who are illegally present in the United States, including the number of inpatient branches, emergency treatment visits and the cost of care provided to those patients.
THSC said that despite the $121.8 million cost represents the November 2024 month, future reports will include full quarterly data. The agency will release its first annual report collected from hospital providers on January 1, 2026.
THHSC said hospital providers notify patients that their response to immigration status will not affect their care as required by federal law.
Abbott’s press secretary Andrew Mahaleris told Fox News Numbers that Texas reported some of the highest crossover numbers ever recorded by the Biden administration, putting huge pressure on its health care system.
Doctor viewing health care data on screen (Kurt "Cyberguy" Knutsson)
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“Many of these illegal immigrants are working on the Texas hospital system, which is why Governor Abbott directed the Texas Health and Public Service Commission to start evaluating the cost of care,” Mahaleris said.
“Now, Texas has reliable data on the huge financial impact of illegal immigration on our hospital system.”
Mahaleris praised Donald Trump for his “speed action” in protecting the southern border and noted that illegal crossings have dropped to record lows.
“Texas hopes (Trump) efforts to remove those who enter illegally could also lead to lower costs of these health care.”
Fox 26 Houston reported that last week, the Texas Public Health Commission committee heard testimony from a bill by Fort Worth Republican Rep. Mike Olcott, who would make Abbott's executive order a law.
A U.S. Border Patrol agent watched more than 2,000 immigrants on December 18, 2023 at Eagle Pass, Texas. (John Moore/Getty Image)
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Meanwhile, the Texas Hospital Association, the leading advocate for hospitals and healthcare systems in the state, said the fact that hospitals need to collect this data should not deter those in need of care.
"With life-saving care 24/7, the law requires hospitals to treat anyone coming from the door, regardless of their ability to pay, regardless of their demographics," the association said in a statement.
The fact that hospitals need to collect these data should not be deterred for those who need care. The hospital remains open and is ready to meet the acute care needs of Texans. ”