OPINION: Texas Must Guard Against Ties to Corruption

How did an allegedly corrupt, East Coast political machine get its claws into Texas, and why is no one in the Texas Legislature paying attention? The scandal unraveling at Cooper Health in New Jersey isn’t just a New Jersey problem—it’s a warning sign for Texas.

Cooper Health has been accused of turning a non-profit hospital system into a money-printing operation for corrupt elites. Instead of focusing on patient care, reports allege they hoarded taxpayer-funded grants, overcharged patients, shut down critical services in vulnerable communities, and rigged the system to enrich insiders. The scandal is deep enough that members of its board are facing racketeering charges.

Non-profit hospitals play a vital role in our communities, ensuring access to quality healthcare for those who need it most. These institutions rely on substantial federal and state support, including billions of dollars in tax benefits and subsidies, to fulfill their purpose. However, Cooper Health has been accused of exploiting taxpayer resources, hoarding state grants, and prioritizing the interests of its leadership over the patients it serves.

So why does this matter to Texas? Houston-based MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the most respected medical institutions in the world, has ties to Cooper Health. That should set off alarm bells. If Cooper Health’s business model could thrive in New Jersey unchecked and fueled by taxpayer dollars, what’s stopping it from spreading in Texas?

Why is no one in the Texas Legislature asking whether MD Anderson may be at risk as a result of the relationship with Cooper Health? The federal government should also be probing possible misuse of taxpayer funds by Cooper Health.

Texas prides itself on independence, accountability, and a zero-tolerance for corruption. We cannot let political corruption seep into our state. We need transparency on MD Anderson’s relationship with any company that is under a corruption investigation, oversight into how Texas’ taxpayer funds may be at stake in the Cooper Health matter, and strong safeguards to ensure corruption never takes root in Texas institutions.

Jameson Ellis is a seventh-generation Texan, small business owner, and political activist.