The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has completed their investigation related to so-called “birth tourism.” Earlier this month, Governor Greg Abbott’s asked the commission to look into reports that hospitals near the Texas-Mexico border were engaged in advertising targeting foreign nationals who want to secure American citizenship for their children.
The Mission Regional Medical Center in Mission, Texas, and Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco, Texas allegedly had billboards and websites including “havemybabyinTEXAS.com.”
HHSC Chief Council Karen Ray says, “Texas healthcare providers that receive state or federal funding may be soliciting birth tourism in Texas. If true, this conduct is detrimental to the public interest and may violate both state and federal law.”
In a letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Ray adds, “I am referring this matter to your office for investigation and appropriate legal action.”
HHSC says the two hospitals are affiliated with the Prime Healthcare Foundation out of Ontario, California.