Monday, August 11, 2025

County Moves to Protect Medicaid Patient Privacy

County plans legal action against federal data disclosure that threatens immigrant healthcare access

Los Angeles County has approved a motion to explore legal remedies in response to a federal plan to access personal health information of Medicaid recipients. The Board of Supervisors aims to protect patient privacy and prevent potential harm to immigrant communities by challenging the data disclosure.

“Healthcare is a human right — no one should be afraid to access the care they need,” said Chair Pro Tem Hilda L. Solis. “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 that their data will be violated or used against them.”

The motion comes after reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials will be given access to personal data of nearly 79 million Medicaid enrollees nationwide. The proposed data release would include sensitive information such as home addresses and ethnicities, which are protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Supervisor Janice Hahn emphasized the potential consequences, stating, “Many people who use programs like emergency Medicaid do so in their most desperate moments, when they’re most vulnerable, fearful, and at risk. 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.”

The county has already seen significant impacts on healthcare access. Local clinics, including St. John’s, have reported a 30% increase in appointment cancellations and no-shows among immigrant communities, highlighting the chilling effect of aggressive immigration enforcement tactics.

This is not the first action taken by the county to protect residents. Since mass raids began on June 6, the Board of Supervisors has approved 11 motions, including a lawsuit that resulted in a temporary restraining order halting illegal raids in Los Angeles County and six other counties.

“The moment is now,” Solis continued. “We must denounce any attempt to unjustly target or harm our communities and stand united against dangerous federal violations.”

The county is considering multiple options, including initiating, joining, or supporting existing litigation to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of protected health information.