Three state nursing associations are speaking out against Medicaid enrollee data being shared with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Yesterday, HHS officials ordered CMS to provide ICE with the personal data of Medicaid enrollees, including immigration status. The order applies to enrollees in California, Illinois, Washington state and Washington, D.C. CMS has been ramping up federal oversight to prevent states from “misusing” Medicaid funds to cover care for undocumented immigrants.
On June 16, the Washington State Nurses Association, American Nurses Association-California, and American Nurses Association Illinois released a joint letter condemning the practice.
“Patients placed their trust in us, believing this information would be used solely to support their care,” the letter said. “Using it instead to penalize those it was intended to protect is both unethical and inhumane. It is a betrayal of trust.”
In these states, eligible residents are able to enroll in Medicaid regardless of immigration status. Care for noncitizens and non-permanent residents is covered by state funds.
“The release of personal protected health information, especially in states that authorized the coverage enrollment of these individuals, is a horrific and immoral exploitation of the human right to seek healthcare,” the letter said. “We wholeheartedly condemn this action, and demand that the information not be used to target any individuals.”
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