Texas Gov Greg Abbott threatens to defund children’s hospital after doctor claims he won’t follow law requiring Medicaid patients to be asked about citizenship status

Abbott issued an executive order that took effect on Nov. 1 requiring hospitals accepting Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Plan payments to ask patients if they are citizens of the US on intake forms.

Cardiologist at Texas Children’s Hospital Dr. Tony Pastor who is also an assistant professor at the Baylor College of Medicine released a TikTok video that said it was not necessary for patients to answer the questions and over 1 million people watched the video before it was taken down. “So my proposal to everyone who’s seeing this is, just know that you do not have to answer this question,” Pastor said in the video that has since been taken down, the New York Post reported.

“Hey Texas Children’s Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine this doctor is putting your Medicaid & Medicare funding at risk. [You] better think twice & have crystal clear records,” Abbott fired back, according to The Post. “There will be consequences for failing to follow the law in the Order.” Pastor posted a brief response to the governor’s apparent threats on Nov. 26.

“When the gov of Texas threatens you on twitter because he is mad you exercised freedom of speech,” Pastor captioned a TikTok post. In another video before Abbott’s response, Paster said, “This new law that’s asking hospitals for immigration status is under the guise of trying to get data on how much money we’re spending on undocumented patients.”

Texas Children’s Hospital claimed that Pastor’s views are his own and do not represent those of the medical facility, writing in a statement that it will be adhering to the law.

"Texas Children’s fully supports Governor Abbott’s new Executive Order and is in full compliance. We have worked closely with the Texas Hospital Association and our industry partners across the state to ensure compliance in advance of the effective date,” the hospital said in a statement.

“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.”