(The Hill) — Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed an executive order Thursday requiring hospitals to ask patients about their immigration status to help the state determine the cost of providing health care to noncitizens.

Beginning Nov. 1, Abbott is directing hospitals in Texas to gather data on “patients who are not lawfully present in the United States,” as well as the number of inpatient discharges and emergency visits and the costs of care.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission must provide regular reports to state authorities, the order said.

Abbott highlighted the influx of migrants at Texas’ shared border with Mexico. He said they impose burdens on the Texas health care system and increase “the costs of medical care for all Texans.”

“Due to President Joe Biden and

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