Texas hospitals had to pay almost $122 million in medical bills for illegal aliens in one month last year. That was the first month the state tracked the numbers.
In August, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed an order telling the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (THHSC) to keep track of how many “individuals not lawfully present” in the U.S. used Texas state hospitals.
The first report, which came out on Friday, says that illegal immigrants went to the hospital more than 31,000 times in November alone, which cost Texas hospitals $121.8 million.
Abbott’s executive order told Texas hospitals to give THHSC information every three months about patients who are not legally in the U.S., such as how many were admitted, how many were released, how many went to the emergency room, and how much the care they received cost.
The $121.8 million spent was for the month of November 2024, but THHSC said that future reports will include full quarterly figures. On January 1, 2026, the agency will put out its first yearly report with information gathered from hospital workers.
As required by federal law, THHSC said that hospital staff tell patients that their answers about their immigration status do not change their care.
Abbott’s press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris, told Fox News Digital that Texas, which is on the border, had some of the biggest numbers of people crossing ever seen during the Biden administration. This put a huge strain on the state’s healthcare system.
“Many of these illegal immigrants are straining the Texas hospital system, which is why Governor Abbott directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to begin assessing the cost of care,” said Mahaleris.
“Now, Texas has reliable data on the dramatic financial impact that illegal immigration is having on our hospital system.”
Mahaleris praised President Trump’s “swift action” in protecting the southern border, pointing out that the number of people crossing illegally has reached an all-time low.
“Texas is hopeful that [Trump’s] efforts to remove those who entered unlawfully may also cause these healthcare costs to decline.”
Reports from Fox 26 Houston say that last week, the Texas House Committee on Public Health heard about a bill by Fort Worth Republican Rep. Mike Olcott that would make Abbott’s order into law.
The Texas Hospitals Association, which represents the state’s hospitals and healthcare systems, said that the fact that hospitals have to collect this information shouldn’t stop people who need care from going there.
“With 24/7 life-saving care, hospitals are required by law to treat anyone who comes through the door, regardless of ability to pay, regardless of their demographics,” the group said in a statement.
People who need care shouldn’t be scared off by the fact that hospitals have to collect this information. Hospitals in Texas are still open and ready to help people who need urgent care.