HOUSTON — Texas Children’s Hospital is facing backlash after one of its doctors posted a viral video on TikTok.
We recently showed you a video from Dr. Tony Pastor that was posted a little more than a week ago. In it, he spoke out against the executive order requiring Texas public hospitals to collect information about undocumented immigrants and report healthcare costs. He emphasized that patients do not have to answer the question.
RELATED: Houston doctor shares message on Texas order requiring hospitals to collect immigration status
The doctor said he never expected his video to go viral; he simply wanted to inform the community.
The executive order requires hospitals to ask patients about their immigration status so the state can seek federal reimbursement.
Gov. Greg Abbott saw the video and responded with a post on X, saying Pastor’s comments could put the hospital’s funding at risk and warned of potential consequences for noncompliance.
“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,” the governor said on X.
Texas Children’s Hospital has since responded, stating that the hospital is in full compliance with all regulations and emphasizing that the opinions of individual employees do not necessarily reflect the hospital's official position.
Here is their full statement below:
“Texas Children’s fully supports Governor Abbott’s new Executive Order and is in full compliance. 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. While we recognize that individuals working at Texas Children’s hold their own personal views on many topics, those opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of Texas Children’s Hospital. We will continue to prioritize patient care while ensuring we are in full compliance with all laws and legal directives.”