California, along with 19 other states, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. They claim the federal government violated privacy laws by handing over Medicaid data to immigration authorities.
States Say Trump Officials Broke the Law
Last month, advisors to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. approved the release of private health information. They sent this data to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as reported by the AP news agency.
This data came from states like California, Illinois, and Washington, which allow non-citizens to receive Medicaid coverage funded solely by state taxpayer money.
Bonta Slams Trump’s Decision
In response, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a strong statement. He said, “The Trump Administration has upended longstanding privacy protections with its decision to illegally share sensitive, personal health data with ICE.”
He further added, “In doing so, it has created a culture of fear that will lead to fewer people seeking vital emergency medical care,” according to NPR.
Therefore, Bonta argued that the action would discourage people from visiting hospitals during emergencies.
Data Included Highly Sensitive Details
According to reports, the shared information included names, addresses, immigration status, Social Security numbers, and medical claims. This data transfer came at a time when the Trump administration had increased immigration enforcement across the country.
HHS Defends Its Actions
On the other hand, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) defended the move. Spokesperson Andrew Nixon said, “HHS acted entirely 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,” AP reported.
Thus, HHS maintained that it acted legally and followed all necessary rules.
California’s Legal Fight Expands
Moreover, this lawsuit adds to a list of recent legal challenges from California against the Trump administration:
-
On June 12, California sued over Trump’s move to scrap the state’s tailpipe emission rules and block its plan to phase out gas-powered cars.
-
Just two days earlier, the state filed a case to protect transgender athletes after Trump threatened to pull federal funding from schools that allow them to compete in female sports.
-
Around the same time, California also sued over the deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles during protests against immigration raids.
Overall, California has aggressively pushed back against federal actions it sees as violations of state rights and public interest.