Midland Memorial Hospital says that the administration of President Joe Biden is behind on its bills for the medical treatments of migrant children and it is asking the administration to pay up, according to a Fox News report and the New York Post.
Rep. August Pfluger called the delay in reimbursement an outrage in a May 27 tweet in which he shared a link to that Fox News report.
“President Biden's HHS owes Midland Memorial Hospital over $200,000, and they so far haven't processed any claims to pay it back,” Pfluger wrote. “It's an outrage that our local hospital is literally paying the price for the #BidenBorderCrisis.”
Rep. August Pfluger campaigns against what he calls "Biden's border crisis."
| Facebook
The public relations manager for Midland Memorial talked to Fox Business and confirmed that they have received no money from the federal government for the treatments, which have occurred since the Department of Health and Human Services intake facility for unaccompanied minors opened there in March 2021.
"I can confirm that Midland Memorial Hospital has provided healthcare services to 40 individuals from the migrant facility," said Tasa Richardson in an interview with Fox News. "This care has totaled hospital charges of $206,287. Claims have been submitted via Point Comfort per federal official direction. To date, no claims have been processed."
She also said that the hospital had submitted claims for $206,287 for reimbursement, but that none had been processed as of May 27.
“I have just been made aware that at least 40 illegal immigrant minors from the Midland HHS facility have been treated at Midland Memorial Hospital for a barrage of issues including COVID, pregnancy, suicide attempts, and more—racking up charges in excess of $200,000,” wrote Pfluger in a statement issued on May 27. “To date, President Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services has not processed a single claim to pay back Midland Memorial. Midland’s hospital system should not have to shoulder the costs of the Biden border crisis. I will immediately begin knocking down doors to demand that Midland Memorial Hospital is paid in full.”
The Department of Health and Human Services told Fox News that “HHS’ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) facilitates and funds health care for all unaccompanied children (UC) in its custody. ORR has developed its health care policies with the goals of ensuring the children’s physical and mental well-being and the safety of care providers, medical personnel and communities.”
All medical expenses for unaccompanied children that are incurred while those children are in the Office of Refugee Resettlement program will be paid by the Department of Health and Human Services, the department told Fox News.