Neal, Ways and Means Democrats Demand Answers from Trump Administration on Latest Data Exposure

WASHINGTON, DC— Following revelations from the Washington Post that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)’s provider directory website exposed the Social Security numbers (SSNs) of Medicare providers, Ways and Means Democrats are again seeking answers on the Trump Administration’s reckless handling of sensitive personal information. According to the Post, CMS’s website linked SSNs to provider names and “other identifying information” for “dozens” of providers. 

In a letter written to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (D-CT), and Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Terri A. Sewell (D-AL), demanded the Administration answer for yet another exposure of the people’s data.

“The mere fact that this sensitive information was sitting on a public website for an unknown period of time raises significant concerns about identity theft for the providers subject to the breach, as well as broader concerns about this Administration’s handling of sensitive information, the Ways and Means Democrats wrote. “This is the exact type of data that bad actors have used to defraud the Medicare program, and while the agency is working to remedy the problem, the harm has already been done.”

The lawmakers reminded the Administration of their track record of putting people’s data in harm’s way and refusing accountability: “This is not the first time we have written to the Trump Administration to demand answers regarding the seemingly reckless handling of sensitive personal information… Not only have the responses we have received from our letters been far from satisfactory, but they have also revealed a lack of concern regarding the privacy of Americans’ personal data and the integrity of our public programs.” 

The Ways and Means Democrats demanded an immediate briefing on the breach and answers for the public on how this exposure was possible, what remedies are being made available to those impacted, and how the Administration plans to change practices going forward to ensure it never happens again. 

Read the full letter to Secretary Kennedy and Administrator Oz HERE.

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