The Trump administration is providing immigration authorities with Medicaid enrollment data, including the legal status of recipients.
“We are not only protecting taxpayer dollars — we are restoring credibility to one of America’s most vital programs,” a Department of Health and Human Services spokesman said in a statement. “The American people deserve accountability.”
HHS is sharing Medicaid data with the Department of Homeland Security for potential use in immigration enforcement, as California, Illinois, Washington state, and Washington, D.C., have begun allowing illegal immigrants to enroll in Medicaid programs funded with state taxpayer dollars.
California has been a particular focus given the Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions there in recent weeks, which sparked protests that have turned violent at times.
“This potential data transfer brought to our attention by the AP is extremely concerning, and if true, potentially unlawful, particularly given numerous headlines highlighting potential improper federal use of personal information and federal actions to target the personal information of Americans,” Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) office said in a statement to the Associated Press.
However, the Trump administration argued it is legal for one executive branch agency to share information with another agency, and doing so in this case will help ensure that taxpayer-funded healthcare goes only to U.S. citizens.
“HHS and [the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] take the integrity of the Medicaid program and the protection of American taxpayer dollars extremely seriously,” the spokesman said. “HHS acted squarely within its legal authority — and in full compliance with all applicable laws—to ensure that Medicaid benefits are reserved for individuals who are lawfully entitled to receive them.” --->READ MORE HERE
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| SAUL LOEB/AFP/GETTY |
President Donald Trump's administration provided immigration officials with the personal data of millions of Medicaid recipients this week, including their immigration status, the Associated Press reported.
Newsweek contacted the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for comment on Saturday via online press inquiry forms.
Why It Matters
During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump pledged to carry out the largest mass deportation program in U.S. history. Since returning to office on January 20, the president has overseen widespread Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations across the country.
The administration's use of Medicaid data, which could be used to track migrants, has raised questions about data security and federal government power.
What To Know
Citing an internal memo and emails, the AP reported that two close advisers to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ordered officials at the CMS to transfer Medicaid data to immigration enforcement personnel at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday.
The publication said the order was given after Medicaid employees initially sought to prevent the transfer based on legal and ethical concerns, and that they were given 54 minutes to comply with the renewed request.
The information handed over included data from California, Washington state, Illinois and Washington, D.C.—all of which allow non-U.S. citizens to apply for state-funded Medicaid.
DHS employees' use of the data could affect migrants' ability to apply for permanent residency or citizenship if they have received federally funded Medicaid. --->READ MORE HERE
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