Trump administration disclosed Medicaid data from from select locations to immigration authorities

Last week, the Trump administration shared personal data of both U.S. citizens and undocumented individuals enrolled in Medicaid across California, Illinois, Washington state and Washington, D.C. with immigration officials, a move that could potentially harm and target undocumented immigrants as part of their ongoing immigration crackdowns.

An internal memo and emails obtained by the Associated Press reveal that Medicaid officials attempted, but failed, to stop the data transfer, raising legal and ethical concerns.

Additionally, the email also demonstrates two top advisers to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ordered the dataset handed over to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). On June 10, officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) were given just 54 minutes to comply with the list of data.

The dataset includes the information of the people in the four select locations, which all allow non-U.S. citizens to enroll in Medicaid programs that pay for their expenses using only state taxpayer dollars. Although California has been the first and only state to offer health insurance to all eligible undocumented immigrants, it seems like it's now backfiring on the community.

The same day that the news broke out, Governor Gavin Newsom slammed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for providing Medicaid beneficiary information to DHS.

 “We deeply value the privacy of all Californians. This action by the federal government has implications for every person on Medicaid, but it is especially alarming for our immigrants and American mixed-status families who are already under relentless, indiscriminate attack by this administration,” said Newsom in a statement.

He also added that sharing Medicaid beneficiary information with DHS “is itself legally dubious” and will jeopardize the safety, health and security of those who will be targeted by this shared data list. 

“Federal law requires emergency care to be provided to all to save lives, and the federal government helps pay for it for low-income individuals, regardless of immigration status,” he said. “Every state should be concerned about this data sharing and its implications for the safety and health of its communities. We will continue to vigorously defend Californians’ privacy rights and explore all avenues to protect their information and safety.”