NYC Care rolls fall 12% as undocumented patients fear sharing data with the city

Enrollment in NYC Care, the city's healthcare program for uninsured New Yorkers – including undocumented immigrants excluded from traditional insurance – has fallen 12% in a single year, from 140,222 patients in fiscal 2025 to 123,124 in fiscal 2026, according to NYC Health + Hospitals data reported by The City. The agency credited part of the drop to aging participants moving onto Medicaid, expanded eligibility and continuous coverage for children under six. But officials also said they were hearing 'anecdotally' of 'increasing reluctance' by immigrants to share personal information out of fear it could be passed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Dr. Chanelle Diaz, a primary care physician, said undocumented patients have largely vanished from her clinic in recent months, telling her they want to 'stay as invisible as possible in this moment.' The program launched under former Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2019 and grew from 24,500 enrollees that year to more than 143,000 by 2024.