Abbott Orders Investigation Into South Texas Hospital Over Birth Tourism Allegations

[Elderberry]

Texas Scorecard  by Brandon Waltens July 7, 2026

The governor directed state regulators to investigate Mission Regional Medical Center after reports that it advertised "birth packages" to foreign nationals.

Gov. Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to immediately investigate a South Texas hospital over allegations that it marketed “birth packages” to foreign nationals as part of an apparent birth tourism operation.

In a letter sent Tuesday to HHSC Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth, Abbott ordered the agency to investigate Mission Regional Medical Center for potential violations of state law and contractual obligations after reports that the hospital advertised “Birth Packages in South Texas” in foreign countries.

Abbott said the advertisements appeared to target foreign nationals seeking to obtain U.S. citizenship for their children by giving birth in the United States.

“Birth tourism is an illegal practice that exploits the extraordinary hospitality that the United States and Texas offer to millions of foreign travelers each year,” Abbott said. “Thousands of foreign travelers come to the United States under false pretenses to give birth and secure citizenship for their children.”

Abbott directed HHSC to immediately refer any violations to the attorney general for civil enforcement and to the appropriate district or county attorney for potential criminal prosecution. He also instructed the agency to pursue administrative sanctions and penalties against Mission Regional Medical Center if violations are found.

More: https://texasscorecard.com/state/abbott-orders-investigation-into-south-texas-hospital-over-birth-tourism-allegations/

[Wingnut]

It's a cash cow for them.  No insurance claims or medicare/medicade payment caps.   Just clean hard cash on the barrel head. 

[DefiantMassRINO]

Birth tourism is not illegal if Immigration is giving them visas to enter the country.

Giving birth is not a crime ... yet.

The legal immigration system favors foreign rich bastids because they can pay for real estate, visas, and birthright citizenship with cash.

Many birthing centers in my area are closing.  If the Federal Government gives visas to rich bastids to give birth in the US, Birthright Citizenship Tourism may be the only finanically viable way to stay in business.

The American sickcare system is in a slow motion collapse - hospitals are closing, general practicioners are harder to find (I've lost 2 general practitioners in the past 3 years), and more medical professionals are entering concierge (ca$h) practices and no longer accepting insurance.