Washington, other states sue Trump administration for sharing health data with Homeland Security

Washington state is suing the federal government for sharing people’s health information with the Department of Homeland Security, the agency that oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

States share information about people who receive Medicaid with the federal government, and in the past, the government has only used that information for health care purposes. But earlier this month, the Trump administration handed off information about Medicaid recipients to the Department of Homeland Security, according to Washington Attorney General Nick Brown.

RELATED: How the GOP spending bill now before the Senate would impact Medicaid

Now, Washington and 14 other states are suing to block the federal government from transferring any more health information, and to prevent them from using the information that’s already been transferred for immigration enforcement purposes.

“Washington residents expect that the confidential information they give to the government to access medical treatment will only be used for healthcare purposes,” Brown said in a statement. “Their data should not go towards creating a giant database of Americans’ personal information or used so that ICE can deport undocumented immigrants because they had to go to the doctor.”

A spokesperson for Homeland Security said it requested the information to make sure people aren’t using programs they aren’t eligible for.

Nearly 2 million Washington residents use the state’s Medicaid program to pay for their health care. Tens of thousands of them don’t have legal status — and their health care is paid for by Washington state, not federal dollars.

“The sharing of sensitive health information with federal agencies is not just a technical error — it is a betrayal of public trust and a direct risk to people’s lives,” the Health Equity for Immigrants Coalition said in a statement. “People will stop seeking live-saving health care as a result of this critical lapse in protocol.”

RELATED: Mysterious notice tells immigrants to check in at Seattle-area federal building. Several get detained

Members of Congress, including Emily Randall (D - Bremerton) signed a letter to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., asking him to cease all information-sharing with Homeland Security.

“We are particularly concerned that these latest actions will have a chilling effect and jeopardize access to services for those who rely on Medicaid and other public programs for lifesaving care,” the letter said, “including the 5.5 million U.S. citizen children in mixed status families.”

The Washington State Nurses Association weighed in as well, saying in a statement, "Patients placed their trust in us, believing this information would be used solely to support their care. Using it instead to penalize those it was intended to protect is both unethical and inhumane."

The association added, "When patients can access health coverage, it stabilizes the system for patients, providers and health care organizations."