Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Epic Systems Corporation, alleging the medical records giant illegally monopolizes the industry and blocks parents from accessing their children’s health information.
The suit targets a company whose software houses records for 325 million patients — 90% of all Americans — and could reshape how parents monitor their children’s medical care.
Epic automatically hides children’s medication lists, treatment notes, and provider messages from parents once kids turn 12, according to the lawsuit. This practice violates a Texas law guaranteeing parents “complete and unrestricted access” to their children’s medical records.
“We will not allow woke corporations to undermine the sacred rights of parents to protect and oversee their kids’ medical well-being,” Paxton said. “This lawsuit aims to ensure that Texans can readily obtain access to these records and benefit from the lower costs and innovation that come from a truly competitive electronic health records market.”
The lawsuit also accuses Epic of using exclusionary tactics against partners, customers, and employees to maintain its market dominance. The company allegedly interferes with hospitals’ ability to use their own patient data, blocking software competitors.
These practices harm Texas patients by leaving their doctors with incomplete or outdated health records, the suit claims. They also raise healthcare costs and prevent innovative technologies from entering the market.
The action follows Paxton’s broader campaign against electronic health record vendors restricting parental access. Earlier this year, his office secured a settlement with Austin Diagnostic Clinic requiring full restoration of parental proxy access for children aged 12 to 17.
The Attorney General has also issued civil investigative demands to other electronic health record software providers to ensure compliance with Texas law.
