April 27, 2025
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has released its first round of data under an executive order issued by Gov. Greg Abbott, revealing that hospitals in the state incurred over $121 million in health care costs in a single month for people not lawfully present in the United States.
The data, covering November 2024, shows that Texas hospitals reported 31,012 visits from illegal aliens, with total costs amounting to $121,779,579. The largest portion of the cost—over $62 million—came from inpatient discharges for non-Medicaid and non-CHIP patients. Emergency room visits accounted for more than $36 million combined.
The report follows the implementation of an executive order issued by Gov. Abbott in August 2024 that mandates quarterly reporting by hospitals on the cost of providing care to people in the country illegally.
Under the executive order, hospitals are required to inform patients that their responses to questions about legal status will not affect their care, as required by federal law.
While this initial release covers just a single month, HHSC plans to release full quarterly data going forward. The first annual report, covering the full year of data, is set to be released on January 1, 2026.
Abbott has previously said the purpose of the reporting is to “hold the Biden-Harris Administration accountable” and to demand federal reimbursement for the state’s growing costs due to illegal immigration.
In 2021, Attorney General Ken Paxton estimated that Texans were already paying between $579 million and $717 million per year in uncompensated care for illegal aliens.
With the first month’s data already topping $121 million, the new reports could put the annual figure even higher.
Featured
Ryan Mindell has resigned as Executive Director of the Texas Lottery Commission, marking an unexpected turn in a closely watched struggle at the agency.
Mindell, who has been the subject of intense scrutiny from lawmakers and the media, was spared from being fired by the remaining members of the Lottery Commission in early March.
The resignation came one day after a New York Times exposé on the commission and its significant role in the rigging of an April 2023 jackpot of $95 million that has been the subject of ongoing reporting and investigation.
Real Texans
In this week’s REAL TEXANS, Michael visits with Chase Davis—a Texas pastor who has taken the Gospel to Colorado and become a leading voice in apologetics.
New interviews with REAL TEXANS every Sunday!
State
Texas Education Agency Releases 2023 School Report Cards
School districts sued to hide the accountability ratings from the public; 2024 ratings remain blocked.
Burrows Blocks Effort Limiting Scholarship Program to US Citizens
The Texas House Speaker killed a series of conservative amendments to a proposed scholarship program.
Texas House Leadership Yanks Abortion Abolition Bill Hours Before Hearing
The decision drew immediate praise from Planned Parenthood Texas, which claimed credit for the reversal.
Local
High-Ranking Tren de Aragua Member Indicted in Houston, Arrested in Colombia
This is the first time a TdA member is charged with terrorism-related crimes.
Conroe Kindergarten Teacher Arrested for Online Solicitation of a Minor
The principal told families Brian Schultz’s arrest was not related to Snyder Elementary.
Fort Bend County Judge KP George’s Case Postponed
Prosecutors cited the need to extract more evidence from a device.
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