July 17, 2025
Contact: Julian Gonzalez, julian@paschalroth.com
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Pan-Ethnic Health Network (CPEHN) expressed outrage over the Trump Administration’s reported sharing of sensitive medical data for all 79 million Medicaid beneficiaries with immigration enforcement authorities.
CPEHN Executive Director Kiran Savage-Sangwan said:
“Health advocates are shocked and outraged by this deeply cruel and blatantly illegal action that threatens health care for millions. The Trump Administration aims to weaponize records of patients who accessed treatment for cancer, heart attacks, or their children’s broken arms to not only accelerate its mass deportation agenda, but to further spread fear in communities already terrorized by ICE.
“For generations, federal law has guaranteed emergency medical care to anyone in need because as a nation we believe deeply that saving lives transcends politics. If upheld, Trump’s policy to use sensitive medical data, which includes data on the types of health care services individuals receive, along with home addresses and ethnicities, for enforcement represents an irreparable turning point, forcing immigrant families to endure immense suffering or risk having their families torn apart. What’s more, it marks a significant breach of trust for all Americans who have confidence in the privacy of our medical data.
“Health care advocates and providers in communities of color work tirelessly to overcome the impacts that racism and exclusion have on our communities’ health. This policy means communities will endure more sickness and premature death.
“We call on the courts to act swiftly to stop this unprecedented and dangerous violation of law.”
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The California Pan-Ethnic Health Network brings together and mobilizes communities of color to advocate for public policies that advance health equity and improve health outcomes in our communities. Learn more at cpehn.org.