GA loses 3 million health data records

Georgia health officials announced recently that nearly 3 million names, birth dates and Social Security numbers were exposed to possible identity theft, reports the Associated Press.

A disk with Medicaid and children's health care recipients information is missing, Georgia health officials said Tuesday. Affiliated Computer Services, which contracts with the state, reported the breach. The private contractor is being required to notify everyone and to offer free credit reports.

The Georgia Department of Community Health said it was requiring the Dallas-based company to notify everyone affected and to offer free credit reports. The children's health care program involved in the data loss is called PeachCare. Officials said the information, also including addresses, went back four years and included some people who are no longer on the rolls.