Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to revoke government funding from the Texas Children’s Hospital after a doctor’s viral TikTok video advised patients to skip a citizenship question on intake forms.
Abbott issued an executive order in early August that went into effect on November 1, requiring hospitals that take Medicaid or CHIP to ask patients, “Are you a U.S. citizen?” the New York Post reported. This information will allow the state to seek federal reimbursement for the medical care provided to immigrants.
Dr. Tony Pastor, a Houston cardiologist, posted a TikTok video advising patients not to answer whether they are citizens.
“So, my proposal to everyone who’s seeing this is, just know that you do not have to answer this question,” Pastor said, according to the New York Post.
The video went viral before being deleted in early November, amassing more than 1 million views.
Dr. Pastor said in an interview last month that he believes this practice hurts patients.
“It is basically isolating a group of people and making people scared to come in. And it is a marginalized group that generally seeks care later, and they are sicker when they do come in,” Pastor said, reported KCENTV.
“Hey Texas Children’s Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine this doctor is putting your Medicaid & Medicare funding at risk. [Y]ou better think twice & have crystal clear records. There will be consequences for failing to follow the law in the Order,” Abbott posted on X days later.
Texas Children’s Hospital wrote in a statement that it will be complying with Abbott’s order and stated that Pastor’s views do not reflect the entire hospital.
“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. We will continue to prioritize patient care while ensuring we are in full compliance with all laws and legal directives,” the statement said, per the New York Post.
However, other medical advocacy groups have echoed the same advice as Pastor.
The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, the public health agency serving Bexar County, published a flyer that reads, in part, ” You have a right to life-saving care, regardless of citizenship or immigration status; You do not have to answer the citizenship question if you don’t want to. Your answer will not affect your care – you will not be turned away.”