Governor Greg Abbott has directed a state investigation into Mission Regional Medical Center following reports of the facility advertising "birth packages" in Mexico. The governor expressed strong opposition to what he termed "birth tourism" and the potential misuse of Texas's healthcare system.
The advertisements, which included billboards and a website, promoted services for expectant mothers. The billboards featured a phone number beginning with "001," the international dialing code for calls from Mexico to the United States. A hospital spokesperson confirmed that the campaign involved two billboards located approximately five miles from the medical center, near a U.S.-Mexico border crossing. Both the billboards and the associated website were taken down on Monday after images of the advertisements circulated widely on social media. The hospital representative also stated that the campaign began in 2021, though the specific installation date of the billboards was not provided.
State Investigation Launched
On Tuesday, Governor Abbott instructed Stephanie Muth, Executive Commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into Mission Regional Medical Center. The inquiry aims to determine if the hospital violated state laws or contractual obligations.
Abbott mandated that any identified violations should be referred to the Texas Attorney General for civil enforcement actions and to the relevant district or county attorney for potential criminal prosecution.
"American citizenship is not for sale and Texas will not permit our healthcare system to be used as a magnet for birth tourism," Governor Abbott stated in his directive.
Mission Regional Medical Center has affirmed its intention to cooperate fully with state authorities during the investigation.
Broader Context of Birthright Citizenship
This state-level investigation unfolds amidst ongoing legal challenges concerning a past executive order from former President Donald Trump. That order sought to restrict automatic birthright citizenship for certain children born within the United States.
The governor also indicated his intention to collaborate with the Texas Legislature during its upcoming session "to strengthen state law and eliminate birth tourism in Texas."
