In response to what he views as the federal government’s inadequate border policies, Gov.Greg Abbott has signed an executive order mandating that Texas hospitals track the costs of treating illegal immigrants. Abbott announced that he would hold the Biden-Harris administration accountable for these expenses, arguing that Texas taxpayers should not have to shoulder the financial burden created by federal decisions.
The order, which goes into effect on November 1, 2024, directs hospitals to collect detailed information on the number of illegal immigrants receiving care, as well as the costs associated with their treatment. This data will be reported annually, beginning in January 2026, to Texas’s leading state officials. Abbott stressed that while patient care would remain unaffected, the state must take proactive steps to document and address the financial impact on its healthcare system.
Abbott’s directive is part of a larger effort to challenge federal immigration policies and secure compensation for the costs imposed on Texas. By requiring hospitals to track these expenses, Abbott aims to build a case for demanding that the Biden-Harris administration reimburse the state for the financial strain on its healthcare resources. This move reflects Abbott’s ongoing determination to protect Texas’s financial interests and push back against what he perceives as federal mismanagement of border security.
