Massachusetts Attorney General Enforces Medicaid Privacy Against ICE

Boston — The Massachusetts Attorney General has pursued enforcement from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California regarding a preliminary injunction on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) access to Medicaid data. This injunction initially restricted the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from disseminating detailed Medicaid information, especially concerning individuals legally residing in the United States.

Recent interactions between a state-led coalition and HHS reveal a potential breach where significant datasets may have been shared with ICE, despite the court's directive deeming this data off-limits. The coalition is pushing to reinforce the court's prior order, seeking transparency on the shared data and its intended use.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell underscored the importance of complying with the court's order to safeguard residents' private health data. The Medicaid program, established in 1965, plays a crucial role in providing health coverage to diverse groups, including low-income individuals, children, and seniors. Managed under federal guidelines, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) serve millions across the nation.

On July 1, 2025, a lawsuit contested the legality of this data transfer, citing increased fear among noncitizens and their reluctance to enroll in necessary Medicaid services, adding further financial burdens on states responsible for emergency health services. The court's preliminary injunction permitted only limited data sharing, blocking ICE's broader access to sensitive health information pertaining to citizens and lawful residents, and restricted data linked to other programs managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

This legal stance garners support from attorneys general across states including Arizona, California, and New York, as well as the Governor of Kentucky. Together, they aim to ensure the lawful handling of federal healthcare data, upholding regulatory compliance and protecting the privacy of vulnerable communities.