Abbott Issues Executive Order to Combat Birth Tourism in Texas
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed state agencies to investigate and eliminate illegal birth tourism schemes in the state, as well as to penalize healthcare providers involved in these practices. According to the governor, the measure aims to prevent individuals from traveling to the United States illegally or under false pretenses to give birth in Texas and obtain U.S. citizenship for their children. Following a July 7 order, the governor instructed the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to investigate Texas hospitals that were allegedly promoting birth packages in Mexico; now, agencies must take action against any person or entity with a state license found promoting, offering, facilitating, or participating in birth tourism activities that violate the law. Additionally, they may collaborate with federal prosecutors to share information and refer potential violations of federal law. Among the agencies involved in investigating these schemes are the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the State Department of Health Services, the HHSC Office of Inspector General, the Texas Medical Board, the Board of Nursing, and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
