The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has referred allegations against two Rio Grande Valley hospitals to the state attorney general’s office over suspected “birth tourism” marketing, escalating a probe that began after Gov. Greg Abbott on July 7 ordered an investigation.
The HHSC referred allegations against Mission Regional Medical Center and Weslaco-based Knapp Medical Center to the attorney general’s office, citing information that “several Texas healthcare providers that receive state or federal funding may be soliciting birth tourism in Texas,” according to The Texan. Both hospitals are affiliated with Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare.
A Mission Regional spokesperson said in a statement to Becker’s that a limited marketing campaign consisting of two billboards near the hospital and a now-inactive website “may have caused unintended misunderstanding and was immediately discontinued.” The spokesperson said the campaign was never intended to encourage unlawful activity and that 98% of patients who used self-pay obstetric services provided U.S. home addresses. Mission Regional said self-pay obstetric packages were priced below cost and offered as a community benefit in one of Texas’ most medically underserved regions. Knapp Medical Center had no involvement in the campaign since 2024, according to the Mission Regional statement.
Mission Regional said it does not support or facilitate unlawful activity and remains committed to serving the Rio Grande Valley in compliance with applicable laws.
Becker’s reached out to the Texas attorney general’s office for comment and will update this story if more information becomes available.
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