California Responds to Reports of Medicaid Data Sharing With Homeland Security Under Trump Administration
SACRAMENTO, June 11, 2025 (VSNewsNetwork.com) — The State of California has raised concerns following reports that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shared Medicaid beneficiary data with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to the office of Governor Gavin Newsom. The reports indicate that the data transfer took place under the administration of former President Donald Trump.
The Associated Press reported that “President Donald Trump’s administration this week provided deportation officials with personal data — including the immigration status — on millions of Medicaid enrollees, a move that could make it easier to locate people as part of his sweeping immigration crackdown.”
In response, Newsom stated, “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. The federal government continues to instill fear across this nation and shroud its continued violation of Americans’ privacy rights in propaganda. Sharing Medicaid beneficiary information with the Department of Homeland Security – which is itself legally dubious – will jeopardize the safety, health, and security of those who will undoubtedly be targeted by this abuse, and Americans more broadly. 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. 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,” said Newsom.
According to the state, the Department of Health Care Services responded to a federal data request last month to verify that federal Medicaid funds were claimed as allowed under federal rules. The department stated it did not provide demographic data beyond what is regularly shared with the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) under federal requirements.
In a recent press release, California officials emphasized that the state is committed to protecting personal information under state and federal law. Medi-Cal data is used solely for determining eligibility, and its access and disclosure are governed by privacy laws and program integrity rules.
Read the full press release here.
Source: Office of Governor Gavin Newsom
