Waco, TX – Texas Governor Greg Abbott has warned Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine that they could face consequences, including the potential loss of state funding, after a cardiologist at the hospital posted a viral TikTok advising patients not to answer questions about their citizenship status.
The controversy began after Abbott signed an executive order that took effect on November 1, requiring hospitals that accept Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to ask patients about their citizenship status. The question now appears on intake forms across the state, aimed at gathering data about healthcare spending on undocumented patients.
Dr. Tony Pastor, a cardiologist at Texas Children’s Hospital and assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine, posted a video on November 11 where he informed patients that they are not legally required to answer the citizenship question. In the viral TikTok, which has since been deleted, Pastor told viewers, “People do not actually have to answer the question.”
The video quickly gained traction, amassing over a million views, and drew the ire of Governor Abbott, who responded by threatening the hospital’s state funding. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Abbott wrote, “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. There will be consequences for failing to follow the law in the Order.”
Pastor further explained his stance in a second video, where he criticized the law as a means of collecting data on undocumented patients. He stressed that doctors should advocate for their patients’ well-being, not act as enforcers for immigration authorities. “I’m going to keep advocating for our patients because that’s why we went to medical school, and not to be ICE deportation people,” Pastor said in the video.
Pastor’s message has resonated with others. The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District released a flyer informing patients that they are not required to disclose their citizenship status and that refusing to answer will not affect their access to care. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has also supported this stance, asserting that patients cannot be compelled to respond to the citizenship question.
Despite the backlash, a spokesperson for Texas Children’s Hospital reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to complying with the law. “Texas Children’s fully supports Governor Abbott’s new Executive Order and is in full compliance,” the spokesperson said. “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 statement further emphasized that the hospital’s policy would remain focused on patient care, regardless of the personal views of its staff.
Governor Abbott’s threat to cut funding highlights the ongoing tension in Texas surrounding immigration policy and healthcare. The state’s new law, aimed at increasing oversight of healthcare costs for undocumented individuals, has sparked debate over the role of medical professionals in enforcing immigration laws. As the situation unfolds, it remains unclear how other healthcare providers across the state will respond to the new requirements.
