On July 7, Republican Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to launch an investigation into Mission Regional Medical Center, a hospital in Mission, Texas owned by Prem Reddy’s Prime Healthcare Foundation.
The probe follows allegations that the facility engaged in a birth tourism scheme by advertising “BIRTH PACKAGES IN SOUTH TEXAS” in foreign countries as part of an apparent effort to profit from securing U.S. citizenship for children.
“American citizenship is not for sale, and Texas will not permit our health care system to be used as a magnet for birth tourism,” Abbott stated.
In subsequent communications with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Health and Human Services Commission reported that billboards promoting the alleged scheme were spotted in Mexico, directing would-be birth tourists to “havemybabyinTexas.com.”
