Full Breakdown
Texas Hospitals Face $1 Billion in Costs from Illegal Immigrant Healthcare Use
1/18/2026, 2:15:31 AM
Overview of Healthcare Costs
In fiscal year 2025, Texas hospitals incurred over $1 billion in healthcare costs attributed to illegal immigrants, according to data compiled by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). This marks the first year the state has tracked such figures, following an executive order by Governor Greg Abbott in August 2024, which mandated hospitals to report on the healthcare usage of individuals not lawfully present in the United States. The total costs reached approximately $1.05 billion, with hospitals logging 313,742 visits linked to these individuals.
Breakdown of Costs
The reported costs averaged about $105 million per month, suggesting that the actual annual total could be significantly higher. The largest share of expenses stemmed from inpatient discharges for non-Medicaid and non-Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) patients, amounting to $565.4 million across 40,947 discharges. Emergency department visits for this group added another $205.5 million. Additionally, patients enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP accounted for $255.3 million in inpatient discharges and $24.3 million in emergency department visits.
Timeline of Reporting
Initially, hospitals were required to submit data starting in November 2024, reporting 30,743 visits costing more than $102 million. Subsequent months showed a consistent trend of high costs: from December 2024 to February 2025, hospitals reported 149,619 visits totaling $330.8 million, followed by $319.3 million from March to May 2025, and $298.3 million from June to August 2025.
Implications of the Data
The reported healthcare costs represent about 1% of Texas's tax-funded resources, highlighting the financial strain on the state's healthcare system. Texas, being a border state, has experienced significant increases in illegal crossings, which has further pressured its healthcare infrastructure. Andrew Mahaleris, press secretary for Governor Abbott, noted that the state has been under immense pressure due to the high number of crossings recorded under the Biden administration.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of the reporting and the executive order argue that the focus on illegal immigrants may overlook broader systemic issues within the healthcare system, such as underfunding and resource allocation. They contend that the data could be used to further stigmatize vulnerable populations rather than address the underlying challenges faced by Texas hospitals.
Official Statements & Responses
Governor Abbott's administration has emphasized the need for transparency regarding healthcare costs associated with illegal immigration. The executive order was designed to provide a clearer picture of the financial impact on Texas hospitals, aiming to inform policy decisions moving forward.
Verbatim Quotes
- “To put the figures into perspective, the reported hospital costs approach about 1% of the state’s tax-funded resources.” — Texas Health and Human Services Commission
- “Texas hospitals were hit with more than $1 billion in health care costs racked up by illegal immigrants during fiscal year 2025, the first year the state began tracking the figures.” — Andrew Mahaleris, Press Secretary for Governor Abbott
This comprehensive data sheds light on the significant financial implications of illegal immigration on Texas's healthcare system, prompting discussions on policy and resource management in the state.
