New York City’s public hospital system has entered into a controversial contract with Palantir, a company known for its ties to military and immigration enforcement. Documents reveal that since early 2023, the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation has paid Palantir nearly $4 million to enhance its billing processes at various facilities. This includes scanning patient health records to maximize Medicaid reimbursements.
Palantir’s involvement in healthcare raises eyebrows, especially given its history of supporting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in tracking and deporting immigrants. Critics find it troubling that a company with such a background is aiding in providing medical care.
In 2016, the extent of Palantir’s role in government surveillance was exposed, particularly in its support of the NSA’s XKEYSCORE program, which allowed for extensive data collection. Their partnerships have drawn criticism internationally, including a notable backlash for assisting the Israeli military during conflicts involving Gaza.
Advocates and community organizers are now voicing concerns about Palantir’s data handling in the healthcare sector. Activists argue that sharing patient data with a company involved in immigration enforcement is reckless and puts vulnerable individuals at risk. Kenny Morris from the American Friend Service Committee stated, “It’s unacceptable that the same company targeting our neighbors for deportation is also providing software for our hospitals.”
New York City’s public healthcare system is the largest of its kind in the U.S., serving over a million patients each year across 70 facilities. The stakes are high; data shared under this contract can include sensitive patient information. Although Palantir claims it does not use this data outside its contract, many experts have raised concerns about the risks of re-identifying anonymized data.
In the UK, Palantir has faced similar pushback for its involvement with the National Health Service. Politicians there have called for greater transparency and an end to such contracts due to data privacy fears. Green Party member Zack Polanski stated, “Palantir has absolutely no place in the NHS.” Similarly, New York activists express doubts about what could happen with the data collected from city residents.
Recent studies show that re-identifying data, even when anonymized, can be alarmingly easy. This fuels skepticism about the safety of patient information within the present contract. Beth Haroules from the New York Civil Liberties Union remarked that “every New Yorker has a right to quality healthcare without the fear of their private information being shared with the federal government.”
Public response to Palantir’s involvement is growing as healthcare professionals express their concerns. Hannah Drummond, a nurse and activist, articulated opposition to using Palantir’s technology in hospitals, reinforcing that such alliances don’t align with patient care and advocacy. This sentiment echoes in the community as groups call for an end to the contract.
The governing board of the Health and Hospitals Corporation falls under the influence of the mayor’s office, which has yet to publicly discuss the contract. With the city’s political landscape evolving, scrutiny on such partnerships will likely continue as citizens demand accountability and transparency in their healthcare system.
As Palantir carries on its work with various government agencies, public sentiment suggests a growing desire for change in how healthcare data is managed. It remains to be seen how these developments will shape the future of patient care and data privacy in New York City.
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Day: Sunday,Time: 16.00,Page Type: Article,Article Type: Article Post,Medium,WC: 0-999,Subject: Technology,Partner: Factiva,Partner: Smart News,Partner: Social Flow,Language: English
