From Becker's:
At the governor's direction, Texas Health and Human Services will immediately begin to:
Direct hospitals and certain other providers to collect information regarding the cost of care provided to illegal immigrants, beginning by Nov. 1.
Direct covered hospitals to report such data to HHSC each quarter, with initial submissions due March 1, 2025.
Direct those hospitals to inform patients that federal law mandates that any response to such questions will not affect patient care.
Report annually, beginning on Jan. 1, 2026, to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the Speaker of the House on the previous year's costs for care provided to illegal immigrants.
"This would be a new requirement, and we are reviewing it as quickly as possible. Right now, hospitals don't ask about patient immigration status as a condition of treatment," the Texas Hospital Association said in a statement. "Hospitals are required by law to provide life-saving treatment to anyone, regardless of ability to pay or status."
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