Case: National Health Law Program v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
1:26-cv-01200 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia
Filed Date: April 9, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
This case challenges the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) alleged failure to respond to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests regarding the sharing of personal information collected from Medicaid participants with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
On April 9, 2026, the National Health Law Program, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting health rights of low-income and underserved people, filed a lawsuit against HHS and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The complaint alleged that HHS and CMS historically did not share personal information collected from Medicaid participants with ICE, but abruptly changed course in the summer of 2025 and began sharing Medicaid data with ICE for immigration enforcement purposes. The National Health Law Program claimed that since this policy change, the defendants failed to disclose the full nature and scope of the information that has been or will be provided to ICE, despite requests for such information made by the plaintiff. Represented by American Oversight, the organization brought two counts under FOIA, alleging that the defendants failed to conduct adequate searches for responsive records and wrongfully withheld non-exempt responsive records. The plaintiff sought court orders requiring proper searches and production of records, injunctive relief, and attorneys' fees. The case was assigned to District Judge Trevor McFadden.
The case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Ian Gibson (7/24/2026)
Jinan Abufarha (4/12/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73167177/parties/national-health-law-program-v-us-department-of-health-and-human-services/
McFadden, Trevor Neil (District of Columbia)
Sparks, Benjamin A. (District of Columbia)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73167177/national-health-law-program-v-us-department-of-health-and-human-services/
Last updated Nov. 11, 2026, 3:47 a.m.
Docket for: NATIONAL HEALTH LAW PROGRAM v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: April 9, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
A nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting health rights of low-income and underserved people.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Case Details
Causes of Action:
FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), 5 U.S.C. § 552
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:26-cv-01200
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Benefits (Source):
Case Summary of National Health Law Program v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48084/ (last updated 4/12/2026).