November 1 marked a new dawn for Texas as Governor Gregg Abbott signed an executive order that requires all hospitals to ask patients about their citizenship status in the United States.

According to the press release, “Governor Abbott Issues Executive Order Requiring Texas Hospitals To Collect, Report Healthcare Costs For Illegal Immigrants,” this is for statistics purposes.

But many feel it is a slam on the Biden-Harris administration. When the law was being signed into effect, Abbott stated: “Due to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ open border policies, Texas has had to place the bill for medical costs for individuals illegally in the state. Texans should not have to shoulder the burden of financially supporting medical care for illegal immigrants.”

This statement is controversial because many undocumented people do, indeed, pay taxes and abide by every law.

Despite the new law, it is critical for individuals to go to the hospital and seek the medical care they need.

This law may require hospitals to ask for Texans’ citizenship status; however, hospital staff can’t force people to answer.

The fear spreading around the community is that, depending on the response to the citizenship question, hospitals may either deny or accept the patient.

Hospitals are places where everyone should be treated. It shouldn’t matter what background they’ve come from.

Some hospitals agree. According to the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act, “Section 1867 of the Social Security Act imposes specific obligations on Medicare-participating hospitals that offer emergency services to provide a medical screening examination when a request is made for examination or treatment for an emergency medical condition, including active labor, regardless of an individual’s ability to pay.”

Harris Health Hospital, located in Houston, stated that, “Regardless of how [patients] answer the citizenship status question, it will in no way interfere with their receiving healthcare at Harris Health emergency rooms or hospitals.”

Passing a law like this can cause thousands of people to not take care of themselves and go to the hospital in case of an emergency. Many opponents of the executive order believe this law was passed due to the differences between Gregg Abbott and the Biden administration and wanting to see how much taxpayer money was spent on undocumented patients.

Before you go to the hospital, know it is your right to refuse to respond to the citizenship question. If denied care in a hospital, call the police and seek help at another hospital.

If you find yourself in need of medical care, don’t be scared of going to the hospital. Your health is more important than money, and knowing your rights as a patient can help ensure you receive the care you need.