The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion Tuesday to explore legal remedies against the Trump administration's efforts to access protected health information of Medicaid recipients, potentially violating federal privacy laws.
The motion, authored by Chair Pro Tem Hilda L. Solis and Supervisor Janice Hahn, directs the county to consider initiating, joining or supporting litigation in response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials gaining access to personal data of nearly 79 million Medicaid enrollees nationwide.
"Healthcare is a human right – no one should be afraid to access the care they need," Solis said. "Today's actions reaffirm the County's commitment to support our immigrant communities and ensure that our residents can receive health and social services without fear."
The data release, reported July 17, includes home addresses, ethnicities and other personal information protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. HIPAA, enacted in 1996, protects the privacy and security of individuals' protected health information and sets limits on data use and disclosure.
California expanded Medicaid to all immigrants using state taxpayer dollars. Federal law, policy and practice have consistently maintained that personal healthcare data from Medicaid recipients is confidential.
"Many people who use programs like emergency Medicaid do so in their most desperate moments, when they're most vulnerable, fearful, and at risk," Hahn said. "The Trump administration's plan to use that data to target undocumented immigrants is not only a monstrous violation of trust, it undermines a program our health system depends on and that saves lives."
Healthcare providers report significant increases in appointment cancellations and no-shows since aggressive federal immigration enforcement began. St. John's clinics indicated cancellation and no-show rates jumped to 30% across their facilities in Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire.
Since mass raids began in Los Angeles County on June 6, the Board of Supervisors has approved 11 of Solis' motions, including one authorizing legal action against federal enforcement tactics. That lawsuit resulted in a temporary restraining order halting raids in Los Angeles County and six other counties.
"The moment is now," Solis said. "We must denounce any attempt to unjustly target or harm our communities and stand united against dangerous federal violations."
Edited by SMDP Staff