Greg Abbott orders state probe of Texas hospital for birth tourism

Key Points:

• Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered an investigation into Mission Regional Medical Center after it confirmed advertising Spanish-language "Birth Packages" in Mexico, promoting childbirth services to pregnant foreign nationals near the U.S.-Mexico border.
• The hospital advertised deliveries starting at $3,950 for natural births and $5,525 for C-sections, using billboards and a now-removed website targeting Mexican residents with a U.S. phone number.
• Abbott criticized birth tourism as an illegal practice exploiting U.S. hospitality, directing the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to investigate potential legal violations by the hospital and consider civil and criminal enforcement.
• The hospital stated the campaign, which began in 2021 and was discontinued after social media backlash, did not intend to facilitate unlawful activity and pledged cooperation with state officials.
• Governor Abbott plans to work with the Texas Legislature to strengthen laws against birth tourism, emphasizing that American citizenship is not for sale and opposing the use of Texas healthcare for such practices.