A viral TikTok video by Dr. Tony Pastor, a cardiologist at Texas Children’s Hospital, is stirring controversy after he advised patients to ignore questions about their immigration status when seeking medical care. This video has garnered over a million views and more than 200,000 likes, challenging Governor Greg Abbott’s recent executive order that mandates hospitals to collect data on undocumented immigrants.
In his video, Dr. Pastor stated, “You do not have to answer this question,” and suggested that if everyone chose not to respond, it would disrupt the data collection efforts mandated by the state. The governor’s order aims to gather information to help Texas seek federal reimbursement for healthcare costs associated with undocumented immigrants.
Dr. Pastor expressed his concerns about the potential misuse of this information, fearing it could lead to deportations. He said, “The way the country is moving, I worry that this is information that people are going to use to deport people.”
In response to the video, Governor Abbott warned that Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine risk losing their Medicaid and Medicare funding if they do not comply with the executive order. Abbott emphasized that there would be consequences for failing to adhere to the directive.
Texas Children’s Hospital responded by affirming its support for Abbott’s order and stated it is in full compliance. The hospital acknowledged that while staff may have personal opinions on the matter, these do not reflect the official stance of the institution.
The executive order has received mixed reactions from the public. El Paso resident Magnolia Estrada criticized Abbott’s approach as unfair and inhumane. Registered nurse Luisa Samaniego expressed her conflicting feelings, stating that every patient deserves care regardless of their immigration status.
Dr. Pastor remains committed to advocating for his patients, asserting that healthcare professionals should prioritize patient care over legal mandates. The Texas Association of Hospitals has previously stated that patient care will not be compromised despite the new requirements.
This incident highlights an ongoing debate about the intersection of healthcare and immigration policy in Texas, raising questions about how such regulations affect access to medical care for vulnerable populations.
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