MIDLAND, Texas — As of Nov. 1, Texas hospitals participating in Medicaid or in the Children’s Health Insurance Program will abide by Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order No. GA-46.
“In accordance with Executive Order GA-46 issued by Governor Greg Abbott on August 8, 2024, hospital providers must ask each patient during the hospital intake process whether the patient is (1) a citizen or an alien lawfully present in the United States, or (2) an alien not lawfully present in the United States. Hospital providers must report to HHSC quarterly the number of inpatient discharges of and emergency visits by all patients and patients who are (1) a citizen or an alien lawfully present in the United States, and (2) an alien not lawfully present in the United States…,” according to the initial draft to be used by providers to collect data.
When collecting this information during the hospital’s intake process, providers must let people know their responses will not affect patient care, as required by federal law…