Bay City Hospital Honored For Giving Children A Bright Beginning

AUSTIN, December 6, 2006 – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today praised Matagorda General Hospital for improving the lives of Texas children by working to establish legal paternity when a child is born to unmarried parents. During fiscal year 2006, Matagorda General Hospital established paternity for 78 percent of children born to unmarried parents, making it a top performer among hospitals that deliver 100-399 babies to unwed parents each year. The statewide average for paternity establishment among birthing hospitals in Texas is 70 percent.

Matagorda General Hospital was one of 14 hospitals in the state recognized for exemplary achievement

“Texas children are the future of our great state,” said Attorney General Abbott. “Matagorda General Hospital’s remarkable success means more children will benefit from the much-needed emotional and financial support of both parents. The Office of the Attorney General is proud to partner with hospitals across the State of Texas to ensure the brightest possible future for our children.”

Under Texas law, a child born to a man and woman who are not married has no legal father. Voluntary acknowledgment of paternity (AOP) is one way to establish legal fatherhood so children are eligible for child support and benefits such as Social Security, veteran’s survivor benefits and health insurance. In addition, legal paternity guarantees a father’s rights as a parent.

Hospitals must provide unwed parents with the opportunity to establish paternity and with information about the rights and responsibilities involved. The Paternity Opportunity Program (POP), which was developed by the Attorney General’s Child Support Division, trains and certifies employees of hospitals and birthing centers to assist parents with the AOP process while the mother and child are still in the hospital. POP provides hospitals with brochures and a video that discuss the benefits and responsibilities of paternity establishment. Hospital staff, in turn, give this information to unmarried parents.

In addition to the 14 hospitals singled out for exemplary achievement, Attorney General Abbott also recognized 27 hospitals across the state for achieving six percentage points above the average. Eighty-nine hospitals were recognized for meeting the statewide average of helping 70 percent of unmarried parents legally acknowledge paternity at the time their children were born.

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