Judge Blocks Medicaid Data Sharing with ICE | JQJO

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from sharing the personal data of 79 million Medicaid enrollees with immigration officials. Following a lawsuit by 20 states, Judge Vince Chhabria cited concerns that data sharing, including addresses and Social Security numbers, would disrupt Medicaid operations and deter people from seeking necessary care. The judge's order will remain in effect until the health department justifies its policy. HHS maintains the data sharing is legal, but has not indicated whether it will comply.