Texas Governor Threatens to Defund Children’s Hospital Over Doctor’s Viral TikTok
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott threatened last week to revoke government funding from a children’s hospital in response to a Houston doctor’s viral TikTok advising patients to skip a citizenship question on intake forms.
Abbott issued an executive order in early August requiring hospitals that take Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Plan to ask patients “Are you a U.S. citizen?” on specific intake forms. The new order went into effect on Nov. 1.
Dr. Tony Pastor, a cardiologist at Texas Children’s Hospital and assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, took to TikTok on Nov. 11 to let his audience know that he and other staff at the hospital were told that people did not have to answer the new question, despite the executive order. . .
Abbott responded in an accusatory Nov. 24 X post, warning the hospital that it could lose its funding because of Pastor’s comments.
“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 wrote.
Hey Texas Children’s Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine this doctor is putting your Medicaid & Medicare funding at risk. ou better think twice & have crystal clear records. There will be consequences for failing to follow the law in the Order.
https://t.co/g11ot8genv— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 25, 2024
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