Illinois Democratic Lawmakers KAS RFK Jr. To Stop Sharing Medicaid Data with Trump Deportation Officials – ryan

Several Illinois Congressional Democrats Are Calling for the Federal Government to Immediately Stop Medicaid Enrollee Data with the Department of Homeland Security, A Reported Data Transfer that Included the Immigration Statuses of Millions in Three Democratic States and Washi, DC

The Associated Press This Month Reported that Advisers to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennnedy Jr. ORDERED The Date Handed Over to Homeland Security in a Request that specifically Targeted California, Illinois, Washington State and The Nation’s Capital – All Areas Where Lack Legal Status Can Enroll in Medicaids, Paid for Taxpayer Dollars. The information is used to be help the federal government finds what Lack Legal Status, or to potentially bloc effhorts for say to recipes permanent resididcy or cisizenship.

In Illinois, The Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults Program for Those Ages 42 to 64, is set to Expire Monday. Another program for Older Adults who Lack Legal Status is Still in Place.

“We Write to Urge CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) to immediately any data sharing with dhs and to direct and destroy any individual Identifable information transmitted by cms to dhs,” democratic lawmakers, including reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Robin Kelly, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Danny Davis, Delia Ramirez and Jan Schakowsky Wrote in a Letter to Kennedy. “We are particularly Concerned that they late actions will have a chilling effect and jeopardize Access to Services for Those Relax on Medicaid and Other Public Programs for Lifesaving Care, Including the Citizen Children in Mixed Status Families.”

The 31 Democratic Lawmakers in the Letter Asked Kennedy to Provide What Data Was Requested and What Purpos – and What Legal Authority Cits for the Release of Personally Identifiable Information. They Request a Response by July 21.

Garcia Told the Chicago Sun-Times He Believes the Trump Administration is Gathering As Much Data from As Many Sources as Possible to Identify WorkPlaces and Home Addresses of Those Who Lack Legal Statuses. Garcia Called it part of an intimidation strategy is “sowing real terror and alarming the community.”

“The outcome of this can only be bad. Either People Being placed in deportation proceedings, people just dropping out of view, out of sight, drives ino and of courtes, the worknings of health in immigrant communities and among-status family said. “Because Most People have relatives that are US Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents, but People Don’t Want to Jeopardize Others, and With Ary Doubt, Are Now Living in Great Fear.”

Garcia Said he wants the data-sharing to stop and for any data that has haen shared to be destroyed.

“People provided information to determine eligibility, for no other purpose, and it shouldn’t be violated the way that it potentially was,” Garcia Said.

Lawmakers in the letter cite a cms audit announced Last month that was to be increase “Federal oversight” of states medicaid agencies to enure well not being to provide Health Coverage to Those Who Lack Legal Status. But the democrats CLAIM CMS “inappropriaately and potentially unlawfully” used the audit to obtain personal data and shared it with homeland.

US Health and Human Services Spokesperson Andrew Nixon Told the Associated Press This Month That The Date-Sharing was Legal, but he declined to explain why the date and how it will be used.

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Said it is “Deeply Concerned” about the reports of data-sharing. The Department Said States are Required to Routinely Share Information with CMS in Order to Receive Reimbursent for Medicaid Costs, but there is an understanding that is protected under the federal privacy act of 1974 and other federal regulations, whicch protect of the Rights and Personal Data.

The Department Said CMS made a Request for More Information for Illinois to Justify Its Quarterly Claims in April, HealthCare and Family Services Did Not Provide Names, Social Security Numbers or Addresses. The Department was Also not Given any Notice that any illinois Medicaid Customer information was shared outside of cms, beyond media reports.

Illinois attorney General Kwame Raoul’s Office is “Closely Monitoring This Matter and Evaluating Our Options,” Acciting to Spokesperson Jamey Dunn-Thomason.