After a Texas hospital was seen promoting birth packages in South Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott is ordering an investigation into a South Texas hospital.
Last week, an advertisement for Mission Regional Medical Center appeared on a highway billboard. Written in both English and Spanish, it directed expectant mothers to call a phone number or visit a website for information about giving birth in South Texas.
According to the billboard, a natural birth costs $3,950, while a cesarean section costs $5,525.
When visiting the website, havemybabyinTexas.com, visitors were initially greeted with a Spanish-language homepage featuring testimonials and information about two Texas hospitals that offer childbirth services: Mission Regional Medical Center and Knapp Medical Center—both located in South Texas near the border.
After images of the billboard circulated on social media and prompted backlash, the website appears to have been taken offline.
A Mission Regional Medical Center spokesperson recently told Fox News national correspondent Brooke Taylor that the hospital had removed the billboards and website Monday because of the “potential for unintended misunderstanding.”
Although the website has been taken down, it drew the attention of several Texas lawmakers and officials, including Abbott, who has now directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to investigate the medical center.
According to Abbott’s letter to HHSC Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth, the commission is directed to “immediately and thoroughly investigate Mission Regional Medical Center for any violations of state law and contractual obligations.”
If the commission finds any violations, they will be referred to the attorney general for civil enforcement and the appropriate district or county attorney for possible criminal prosecution.
HHSC is also directed to take appropriate administrative action against Mission Regional Medical Center, which could include assessing sanctions and penalties.
“Birth tourism is an illegal practice that exploits the extraordinary hospitality that the United States and Texas offer to millions of foreign travelers each year,” said Abbott. “Thousands of foreign travelers come to the United States under false pretenses to give birth and secure citizenship for their children. HHSC must investigate the hospital, a facility it regulates, for any violations of state law and contractual obligations.”
After Abbott announced the investigation, the Mission Regional spokesperson said the medical center does not support unlawful activity and will cooperate with local and state officials.
“Mission Regional Medical Center is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare and expanding access to care for the communities we serve. Like hospitals across the country and throughout the region, we share information about the healthcare services we provide. We do not support or facilitate any unlawful activity and work to comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations,” the spokesperson told Taylor. “The marketing materials regarding maternity services are no longer in use due to any unintended misunderstanding. We intend to work cooperatively and transparently with local and state officials. Our focus remains on delivering safe, high-quality care to every patient who seeks our services.”
Abbott’s letter also states that he will work with the Texas Legislature during the next legislative session to strengthen the state laws surrounding birth tourism and ultimately eliminate the practice in Texas.
