In a significant shift in policy, Texas hospitals are now required to ask patients about their citizenship status due to a new executive order issued by Governor Abbott. The mandate, which goes into effect this week, aims to identify the immigration status of individuals seeking medical care. While hospitals must inquire about citizenship, it is important to note that patients are not obligated to disclose their immigration status. Health officials are preparing to collect this data, though some ethicists have raised concerns about the implications of collecting such information. As hospitals across the state implement this new requirement, discussions are ongoing regarding its impact on healthcare access and ethical considerations.