Trump Admin Demands Access to Federal Workers’ Medical Records

The Trump administration is asking for sweeping access to the medical records of federal employees, including doctors’ notes, according to an unprecedented proposal revealed this week. The request would give administration officials direct access to sensitive health information currently protected under privacy regulations.

The scope of the demand is unusual. Federal workers across multiple agencies would be affected, though the administration has not provided a clear public justification for why the records are needed. The proposal bypasses standard procedures that typically require specific legal authorization or employee consent before accessing such data.

Federal employee unions and privacy advocates have already raised concerns. The American Federation of Government Employees called the move a violation of worker privacy rights. Medical professionals point out that unrestricted access to doctors’ notes could expose diagnoses, mental health treatment, and other deeply personal information.

The administration has not specified which agencies or how many workers would be impacted. Details about how the records would be stored, who exactly could access them, and how long they’d be retained remain unclear.

Based on reporting from Ars Technica.