According to reporting by the Associated Press, the Trump administration directed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to transfer the personal data of millions of Medicaid enrollees to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This data transfer appears to be part of broader federal immigration enforcement efforts.
What to Know:
- What Happened: On June 10, CMS was directed to send DHS personal information — including names, addresses, Social Security numbers and claims history — of Medicaid enrollees, including non-U.S. citizens enrolled in state-funded programs in California, Illinois, Washington State and Washington, D.C.
- Why It Matters: This data, provided for the purpose of administering healthcare, may now be used to locate individuals for immigration enforcement or to challenge their future immigration applications. Experts warn this could include green card or naturalization denials due to past Medicaid use.
States Affected So Far:
- Provided Data to DHS: California, Washington, Illinois and Washington, D.C.
- Requested but Not Yet Complied: New York, Oregon, Minnesota and Colorado
These states operate state-funded Medicaid programs for immigrants who are otherwise ineligible for federal Medicaid and had committed not to bill the federal government. Nevertheless, the federal government is now demanding their data as part of a sweeping review ordered under the recent executive order, Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders.
What This Means for Our Communities:
- Fear and Confusion: Many individuals and families may now be hesitant to seek critical health care services, even if they are eligible — out of fear their personal information could be used against them.
- Impact on Public Health and Trust: We are already hearing of increased anxiety among clients and communities, and we are concerned this will further erode trust in public institutions and care providers.
How We Can Respond Together:
- Reassure Clients: Let community members know that emergency services remain available and that they should not delay seeking care if needed.
- Know the Facts: This action affects a specific data transfer from states to the federal government and does not currently mean that all Medicaid recipients are being reported to DHS.
- Stay Informed: We will continue monitoring developments and will share updates as soon as they become available.
- Coordinate Legal Support: If you hear of clients being directly affected, please help connect them to legal assistance and document the issue for potential collective advocacy.
We understand how distressing this news may be. Please know that we stand with you and the communities we serve. Now more than ever, our shared efforts to build safety, dignity and access for immigrants are critical.