Texas Governor Orders Investigation into Hospital's Advertising of Birth Packages in Mexico

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered an investigation into Mission Regional Medical Center after the hospital confirmed it advertised 'Birth Packages in South Texas' on billboards in Mexico. The advertisements promoted childbirth services to foreign nationals near the U.S.-Mexico border, with prices starting at $3,950 for a natural birth and $5,525 for a C-section. The billboards included a telephone number with the U.S. country code and directed viewers to a website that has since been taken offline. The hospital stated that the marketing materials were no longer in use due to misunderstandings and emphasized its compliance with federal and state laws. Abbott has directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to investigate potential violations by the hospital, and any findings will be referred to the Texas Attorney General for civil enforcement. The governor expressed his intention to work with the Texas Legislature to strengthen laws against birth tourism in the state.