Gov. Greg Abbot investigates booming birth tourism business at Texas hospitals after billboards seen advertising low-cost US births to Mexican moms

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered an investigation into Mission Regional Medical Center after Spanish-language billboards were seen in Mexico promoting fixed-price maternity packages for expectant mothers seeking to give birth in the United States, thereby ensuring that their children would be American citizens. Flores says the practice is not isolated in Texas to just Mission Regional Medical Center. "Let's be clear: Mission Hospital isn't the only one giving visa holders drastically cheaper birth-delivery prices," Flores wrote on X. "Valley Baptist in Harlingen is quoting them around $6K while American mothers are hit with bills over $25K. This isn't an isolated case — multiple hospitals are doing it, and everyone knows it."

https://twitter.com/mayraflores4tx/status/2075205383379907006?s=12&t=Zo0EXNCUug3mzjxcIQ0-cw

The Spanish-language billboards were seen in Reynosa, Mexico, advertising childbirth packages at Mission Regional Medical Center. The advertisements offered natural delivery for $3,950 and Cesarean section for $5,525.

The billboards directed prospective patients to a website called "Have My Baby in Texas," which has since been taken offline following public backlash. Abbott has called birth tourism an "illegal practice" that exploits Texas and directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to investigate whether Mission Regional violated state law. He also instructed regulators to refer any evidence of wrongdoing for potential civil or criminal enforcement.

"American citizenship is not for sale and Texas will not permit our healthcare system to be used as a magnet for birth tourism," Abbott told Chron. Mission Regional has denied any wrongdoing, saying it advertised healthcare services like hospitals across the country and does not "support or facilitate any unlawful activity." The hospital added that the maternity marketing materials have been retired to avoid "unintended misunderstanding."

Flores's allegation regarding Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen suggests the pricing disparity extends beyond Mission Regional, claiming visa holders are quoted childbirth costs of roughly $6,000, while insured or self-pay American mothers can receive bills exceeding $25,000.

Birth tourism is a booming business in the United States, with childbirth packages offered not only to Mexican nationals, but to Russian and Chinese mothers as well. Birth tourism medical centers are dotted across the United States and terroritories, from the Northern Mariana Islands to Florida.