Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday criticized the Trump administration, which was reportedly provided personal information to federal immigration authorities by Medicaid recipients.
The criticism comes from an Associated Press report that revealed that the U.S. Health Service shared data with the Department of Homeland Security with the Department of Homeland Security for millions of Medicaid beneficiaries.
The report suggests that this information could support immigration enforcement efforts under Trump’s broader crackdown.
“We deeply appreciate the privacy of all Californians,” Newsom said in a statement. “This federal action affects everyone on Medicaid, and is particularly amazed by our immigrants and mixed status families in America.”
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Under federal law, Medicaid must provide emergency services regardless of the recipient’s immigration situation.
States like California, which operate the program as Medi-Cal, regularly share limited data with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to comply with federal funding and surveillance requirements.
California’s Department of Health Care Services confirmed last month that it responded to a federal request to verify the use of federal Medicaid funds, but emphasized that it did not submit demographic data beyond what is normally required.
California law ensures extensive protection of personal data under the state constitution and information practices laws. Additionally, state agencies must adhere to strict privacy protocols and use MEDI-CAL data only to determine eligibility and benefits.
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