Overview

• Under the agreement, ICE can query the Medicaid enrollee database of 79 million people for names, addresses, birth dates, Social Security numbers and demographic details
• Access is confined to 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday until Sept. 9, with strict prohibitions on downloading or retaining records
• A coalition of 20 states and members of Congress have filed lawsuits and sent formal inquiries, alleging the data transfer breaches HIPAA, the Privacy Act and the Social Security Act
• Career Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services officials warned the directive violates federal statutes and long-standing limits on sharing health records
• Public health advocates warn the move could deter vulnerable patients from seeking emergency care, undermining critical lifesaving services