Texas border hospital uses Spanish-language billboards to advertise birth tourism packages to Mexican moms

( Post Millennial )

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered a state investigation into a South Texas hospital after it acknowledged placing Spanish-language billboards near the US-Mexico border promoting childbirth services to expectant mothers in Mexico.

According to Fox News, Mission Regional Medical Center, which confirmed it was responsible for advertisements promoting "Birth Packages in South Texas," directed prospective patients to the now-defunct website havemybabyinTEXAS.com.

The billboards, written in Spanish, featured a pregnant woman and advertised delivery packages beginning at $3,950 for a natural birth and $5,525 for a Cesarean section. They also displayed a telephone number using the international dialing code for calls from Mexico to the United States.

According to the hospital, the campaign originated in 2021 and included two billboards located within roughly five miles of the hospital near a border crossing. Hospital officials said the billboards and website were removed Monday after images of the signs spread across social media, prompting widespread criticism.

In a statement, the hospital claimed it had discontinued the campaign because of concerns it could be misunderstood. "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 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."

On Tuesday, Abbott directed Texas Health and Human Services Commission Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth to conduct an immediate investigation into whether the hospital violated state law or breached any contractual obligations with the state.

In a letter ordering the probe, Abbott argued that so-called birth tourism exploits US immigration laws. "'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. Unfortunately, thousands of foreign travelers come to the United States under false pretenses to give birth and secure citizenship for their children."

Abbott instructed state officials to refer any violations uncovered during the investigation to the Texas Attorney General for possible civil enforcement and to local prosecutors if criminal violations are identified. "American citizenship is not for sale, and Texas will not permit our healthcare system to be used as a magnet for birth tourism."

The governor also said he intends to pursue additional legislation during the next session of the Texas Legislature aimed at further restricting birth tourism in the state.

The hospital said it plans to fully cooperate with investigators. "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."