California and 20 States File Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Over Health Data Sharing

July 2, 2025 - 07:00

In a significant legal move, California has taken the lead in a lawsuit involving 20 state attorneys general, aiming to prevent the Trump administration from sharing Medicaid data with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The states argue that this data sharing poses a direct threat to the privacy of vulnerable populations, particularly those enrolled in Medicaid, as it could be used for immigration enforcement.

The lawsuit contends that the sharing of health information undermines the trust that individuals place in healthcare systems, potentially deterring them from seeking necessary medical care. By using Medicaid data to target individuals for immigration actions, the states assert that the DHS is violating federal laws that protect sensitive health information.

The coalition of states is seeking a court order to halt any further sharing of this data, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding healthcare privacy. This legal challenge reflects broader concerns about the intersection of health policy and immigration enforcement, highlighting the potential consequences for public health and community trust.