Brooke Taylor@Brooketaylortv
NEW: A Texas hospital confirms to Fox News its behind billboards at the U.S.-Mexico border advertising childbirth services and encouraging expectant mothers to give birth in Texas. The Spanish-language billboards directed people to go to “havemybabyinTEXAS.com.”
The billboards put up by Mission Regional Medical Center featured a pregnant woman and promoted “Birth Packages in South Texas,” with deliveries starting at $3,950 for a natural birth and $5,525 for a C-section.
A spokesperson for the hospital said they had two billboards within five miles of the hospital near the border crossing but removed them Monday, along with the website, due to the “potential for unintended misunderstanding.”
The decision to take down the campaign follows backlash on social media after pictures of the billboard started to circulate.
The spokesperson also told me the campaign was initiated in 2021 but said it is unclear when the actual billboards were put up.
Official statement:
“Mission Regional Medical Center is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare and expanding access to care for the communities we serve. Like hospitals across the country and throughout the region, we share information about the healthcare services we provide. We do not support or facilitate any unlawful activity and work to comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. The marketing materials regarding maternity services are no longer in use due to any unintended misunderstanding. We intend to work cooperatively and transparently with local and state officials. Our focus remains on delivering safe, high-quality care to every patient who seeks our services."
