A South Texas hospital is facing a state investigation after Gov. Greg Abbott (R) ordered regulators to examine whether it marketed maternity “birth packages” to foreign nationals seeking to give birth in the United States.
Abbott directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to investigate Mission Regional Medical Center after reports alleged the hospital promoted childbirth packages across the border in Mexico.
The governor said officials must determine whether the hospital violated state laws or contractual obligations by marketing services tied to what critics call “birth tourism.”
The controversy centers on a promotional campaign called “Have My Baby in Texas,” which advertised fixed-price maternity packages for international patients.
The packages listed prices starting at $3,950 for a natural delivery and $5,525 for a C-section, along with services including prenatal education, breastfeeding support, delivery care, and postpartum assistance, according to NewsNation.
The marketing materials drew renewed attention after images of a billboard promoting the packages circulated online.
The advertisement, reportedly displayed in Mexico near the Texas border, directed expectant mothers to the hospital’s maternity website.
The website has since been taken offline, and the promotional materials are no longer being used, according to CHRON.
Abbott accused the hospital of potentially contributing to a practice he says exploits America’s citizenship laws.
“American citizenship is not for sale and Texas will not permit our healthcare system to be used as a magnet for birth tourism,” Abbott said, according to Texas Border Business.
He directed state officials to refer any confirmed violations to the Texas attorney general for civil action and to local prosecutors for possible criminal enforcement.
The dispute comes as the national debate over birthright citizenship continues.
Under the Fourteenth Amendment, most children born on U.S. soil are granted citizenship regardless of their parents’ immigration status.
Critics of birth tourism argue some foreign nationals intentionally travel to the United States to give birth so their children can receive citizenship benefits, according to Texas Politics.
Mission Regional Medical Center, operated by Prime Healthcare, rejected accusations that it supported unlawful activity.
The hospital said it provides information about available healthcare services like other medical facilities and said it would cooperate with the investigation.
“We do not support or facilitate any unlawful activity and work to comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations,” the hospital said in a statement, according to KRG 5.
The hospital also said the maternity marketing materials were removed because of “any unintended misunderstanding” and emphasized that its focus remains providing medical care to patients.
The investigation comes as Texas officials continue efforts to address concerns surrounding immigration enforcement, border security, and the use of state-regulated systems.
Abbott has instructed regulators to determine whether Mission Regional violated any requirements and to pursue penalties if violations are found.
No violations have been determined, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Mission Regional has said it intends to cooperate with state officials while continuing to provide healthcare services.
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