Democrats demand Trump admin. halt plan to collect federal workers' health data

Politics Democrats demand Trump administration halt plan to collect federal workers' health data By Amanda Seitz, Maia Rosenfeld April 21, 2026 / 5:00 AM EDT / KFF Health News Add CBS News on Google Democratic lawmakers are demanding that the Trump administration halt plans to collect sensitive medical records for millions of federal workers and retirees, as well as their family members.The Office of Personnel Management has asked 65 insurance companies to provide monthly reports with detailed medical and pharmaceutical claims data of more than 8 million people enrolled in federal health plans, KFF Health News reported earlier this month. The request, which could dramatically expand the personally identifiable medical information OPM can access, alarmed health ethicists, insurance company executives, and privacy advocates.Now, OPM Director Scott Kupor has two letters on his desk — one from 16 U.S. senators and another led by Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee — asking him to drop the agency's proposal."The collection of broad, personally identifiable data regarding medical care and treatment raises concerns that OPM could target certain federal employees seeking vital health care services that the Administration disagrees with on political grounds," the Democratic House members wrote to Kupor April 17, citing KFF Health News.The letters from congressional Democrats alone are unlikely to reverse OPM's plans. Republicans — who control Congress and, ultimately, any oversight activities — have not weighed in on OPM's notice.OPM did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letters. The agency, which said in its notice that it will use the data for oversight and to manage the federal health plans, has not publicly addressed written concerns about its proposal. Scott Kupor, director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, testifies during a House committee hearing on March 25, 2026. Mariam Zuhaib...