A federal agreement has allowed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) access to the personal data of nearly 80 million Medicaid enrollees, raising legal concerns. The access involves identity and location information, which critics fear will potentially impact individuals seeking medical care. The move has sparked criticism over its risk of deterring vulnerable populations from obtaining essential services.

ICE spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said, “ICE will use the CMS data to allow ICE to receive identity and location information on aliens identified by ICE.”

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A Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) official said, “They are trying to turn us into immigration agents.” The official did not have permission to speak to the media and insisted on anonymity.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced legal action to block the data sharing. Eighteen states have sued President Donald Trump over the policy, which allows ICE access to data such as names, birth dates, and Social Security numbers.

Bonta said, “It is devastating to think that individuals may not seek essential medical care because they are afraid that if they do so, they may be targeted by this administration.”

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) said, “The massive transfer of the personal data of millions of Medicaid recipients should alarm every American. This massive violation of our privacy laws must be halted immediately.”

ICE currently has limited access to the database during specific hours and cannot download the information. Emergency Medicaid remains available for lifesaving care regardless of immigration status.

And that’s the big problem — seeking emergency medical assistance will get your name and address in the database for ICE to harvest.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/eighty-million-medicaid-enrollees-ice-gains-data/ss-AA1J8WxJ