The Independent: Texas governor threatens to pull children's hospital funding over doctor's viral post

[Dennis Donovan]

The Independent - Texas governor threatens to pull children’s hospital funding over doctor’s viral post

Texas hospitals that take Medicaid must ask patients if they’re US citizens

Katie Hawkinson
Saturday 30 November 2024 14:52 GMT

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has threatened a children’s hospital with “consequences” after a doctor posted a viral TikTok telling patients they’re not legally obligated to tell a hospital their citizenship status.

On November 1, a new executive order went into effect requiring Texas hospitals that accept Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Plan to ask patients if they’re US citizens. The question now appears on intake forms at hospitals across the state, the San Antonio Express-News reports.

Dr. Tony Pastor, a cardiologist at Texas Children’s Hospital and assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine, went on to post a TikTok on November 11 telling patients they’re not obligated to answer the question. The video went viral, garnering more than one million views.

As a result, the Republican governor said on Wednesday the hospital’s state funding could be at risk.

“Hey Texas Children’s Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine this doctor is putting your Medicaid & Medicare funding at risk,” Abbott wrote on X, sharing a link to an Express-News article that reports on Pastor’s video.

“ou [sic] better think twice & have crystal clear records,” he added. “There will be consequences for failing to follow the law in the Order.”



Pastor told his followers in the viral TikTok, which appears to be deleted as of Thursday, that “people do not actually have to answer the question.”

/snip

[Dem4life1234]

1. That tree has one job!

He is one nasty entity.

I thank God my state has a governor who acts like a proper human being. I can't imagine living in a state with a governor who is an asshole.

[Johonny]

2. Abbott trying to rid Texas of Christians

And leave only the devil worshipers like himself.

[Bettie]

4. John Fugelsang

regularly reminds his listeners that the people coming across the border are largely Christian Refugees.

He's right, but we all have to remember that the religion of MAGA isn't Christianity, it's hate, dressed up like Christianity.

[Dem4life1234]

6. They hide behind Christianity

They think believing in God absolves them of being jackasses.

They are very evil human beings.

[surfered]

3. Gov Abbott claims to be Catholic, but his is the strangest version of Catholicism I've heard of.

Apparently it’s without the parables of The Good Samaritan, The Sheep and the Goats, welcoming the stranger, love thy Neighbor, and the entire book of Matthew is absent.

[Hotler]

5. Bite the curb. nt

[Timeflyer]

7. So that's pro-life in Texas. No first amendment rights for you, Doctor.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

8. Mighty Xtian of him.

[hlthe2b]

9. Does this idiot really think a CHILDREN's Hospital is getting Medicare funding? Or does he not know the difference

between Medicaid and Medicare? On edit, I see he was including Baylor which does (obviously) treat adults, so okay.... He gets a pass on that. But, not on his general ignorance and hate.

I know, besides the point, but it did leap out at me.

[DFW]

10. Do not underestimate the ignorance of Greg Abbott

Or his cruelty

[City Lights]

11. The GOP is the party of death. nt

[LudwigPastorius]

12. Well, isn't he just a little half-a-prick.