Preliminary data shows that “tens of thousands” of patients who were not “lawfully” in the United States were treated by Texas hospitals in recent months and the cost for their care is in the millions of dollars, according to a state employee testifying before lawmakers late Monday.
Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texas hospitals last summer to begin asking all patients to disclose whether they were “lawfully in the United States.” Patients were told their answers would not jeopardize their access to health care but they were not legally required to answer.
Hospitals were expected to turn in their first months of data by March 1 but it has not been released publicly yet…