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Workers, public speakers call on Napa County to oppose federal sharing of Medi‑Cal data; supervisors ask staff to draft privacy resolution
Summary
County employees and community members urged the Napa County Board of Supervisors to condemn reports that federal agencies shared Medi‑Cal/MediCal enrollment data with the Department of Homeland Security. Supervisors asked county counsel and staff to return with a draft resolution on privacy and immigrant protections.
Kevin Godwin, a county employee and union chapter leader, addressed the board during public comment June 17 to raise alarm over reports that federal agencies had shared Medi‑Cal (California’s Medicaid program) enrollee data with the Department of Homeland Security. "This is a betrayal, not just of the immigrant families, but of the entire public trust. It turns our safety net into a surveillance tool," Godwin said.
Godwin urged the all‑women board to "take a bold stance, pass a resolution, send a message up the chain to the governor, DHCS, and anyone else who needs to hear it that Napa County won't stand by while DHS raids the data vault of our most vulnerable communities." He described the data sharing as a threat to trust in public programs and to frontline staff who serve Medi‑Cal clients.
Supervisor Belia Gallagher said she agreed and formally asked staff to prepare a draft resolution affirming the county's commitment to privacy and immigrant protections. Supervisor Gallagher: "I think it would make sense for us to do, a resolution supporting, privacy laws… I endorse the suggestion and ask that we prepare such a resolution, and I'm not gonna go into what I think it should include unless I am asked to." The board's chair and county counsel accepted the referral, and staff said they would return with an item for future board consideration.
Multiple supervisors, including Jack Alessio, expressed support for bringing a resolution back to the board and recognized existing statements the board issued in December that affirmed support for marginalized communities. Director Yasamoto (health services) had previously briefed the board on the reports, staff said, and county staff will work with the board’s ad hoc committee on inclusivity and community partners.
This was public comment and a nonbinding referral. Staff indicated they would coordinate with county counsel and bring a draft resolution to a future board meeting for formal action.
