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August 11, 2024
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
Gov. Greg Abbott has announced a new executive order requiring hospitals in Texas to collect and report healthcare costs for illegal aliens.
In announcing the order, Abbott put the blame of the border crisis at the feet of the Biden-Harris administration.
“Due to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ open border policies, Texas has had to foot the bill for medical costs for individuals illegally in the state,” said Abbott. “Texans should not have to shoulder the burden of financially supporting medical care for illegal immigrants. That is why today I issued an Executive Order requiring the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to collect and report healthcare costs for illegal immigrants in our state. Texas will hold the Biden-Harris Administration accountable for the consequences of their open border policies, and we will fight to ensure that they pay back Texas for their costly and dangerous policies.”
In 2021, Attorney General Ken Paxton revealed that Texans pay an average of about $152 million a year to house illegal aliens, between $62 million and $90 million to include illegals in Texas’ emergency Medicaid program, and between $579 million and $717 million for hospitals to provide uncompensated medical care.
New required reporting, however, aims to collect more accurate data.
According to a release from Abbott’s office, the Health and Human Services Commission will immediately begin to do the following:
- Direct hospitals and additional identified providers to collect information regarding the cost of medical care provided to illegal immigrants, beginning by November 1, 2024.
- Direct covered hospitals to report such data to HHSC quarterly, with initial submissions due March 1, 2025.
- Direct those hospitals to inform the patient that federal law mandates that any response to such questions will not affect patient care.
- Report annually, beginning on January 1, 2026, to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House on the preceding year’s costs for medical care provided to illegal immigrants.
The full executive order can be read here.
Featured
Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced that, amid an investigation by his office, Democrat fundraising catalyst ActBlue has changed its contribution security requirements.
Security codes will now be needed to donate by credit card.
Following the office’s investigation into alleged donation fraud at ActBlue, the attorney general demanded a supplemental civil investigation to acquire more information.
“ActBlue has cooperated with our ongoing investigation,” said Paxton. “They have changed their requirements to now include ‘CVV’ codes for donations on their platform. This is a critical change that can help prevent fraudulent donations.”
State
Gov. Abbott Predicts GOP Will Gain Three Texas House Seats
It is a bold prediction from the governor ahead of the November election.
‘Huge Win’ in Galveston Redistricting Case Stops Democrats’ Weaponization of Voting Rights Act
The Fifth Circuit’s decision to eliminate coalition districts could transform how electoral maps are drawn.
Most Texans Agree Housing Affordability is a Problem
Housing has been an issue of concern for some elected officials recently, with Gov. Greg Abbott pushing for a review of investor-owned single-family homes in the next legislative session.
Local
‘Uplift Harris’ Guaranteed Income Program Revived Despite Ongoing Legal Disputes
With over $20 Million at Stake, Democrat Commissioners revive “Uplift Harris."
State Fair of Texas to Ban Firearms
Previously, licensed individuals were permitted to carry firearms at the fair.
Dallas City Manager’s Travel to Left-wing Events Costs Taxpayers $13k
Interim Dallas City Manager Kim Tolbert spent around $13,600 in taxpayer money on travel expenses from October 2023 to early April 2024 to attend left-leaning professional gatherings.
Federal
Kim Ogg Joins ‘Democrats for Cruz’ Coalition, Endorses Senator’s Re-election
The Harris County District Attorney cited Cruz’ response to the brutal murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray.
Border Security Advocates Criticize Kamala Harris’ Record
Harris’ supporters claim that she was only tasked with addressing the “root causes” of illegal immigration, but border security advocates argue even that shows her ineffectiveness.
Texas Rancher Sues Biden Administration For Havoc Wreaked By Illegal Aliens
The lawsuit claims that illegal aliens have caused severe damage to the rancher’s property.
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