Texas Hospital Under Investigation After Reports of Birth Tourism Services

AUSTIN, TX — Gov. Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to launch an investigation into Mission Regional Medical Center following reports that the hospital promoted “birth packages in South Texas” aimed at foreign nationals.

According to Abbott’s office, the investigation will review whether the hospital violated state laws or contractual obligations through practices tied to birth tourism, which involves people traveling to the United States to give birth so their children receive U.S. citizenship.

“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," said Governor Abbott. "Thousands of foreign travelers come to the United States under false pretenses to give birth and secure citizenship for their children. HHSC must investigate the hospital, a facility it regulates, for any violations of state law and contractual obligations."

Abbott directed HHSC to immediately refer any identified violations to the Texas Attorney General’s Office for civil enforcement and to the appropriate district or county attorney for possible criminal prosecution.

The governor’s office said HHSC will also pursue administrative sanctions and penalties against Mission Regional Medical Center if violations are found.

Abbott said the action is part of the state’s efforts to protect the integrity of citizenship laws and prevent Texas institutions from being used for illegal birth tourism operations.

“Texas will not permit the exploitation of its healthcare system or its citizenship laws,” Abbott’s office said. “Governor Abbott will fight birth tourism and hold accountable any hospital or facility that profits from it.”