Texas Widens Investigation Into Complaints Parents Denied Access to Their Teens’ Medical Records

Texas is investigating claims that hospitals and medical-records companies deny parents access to their child’s data once they reach the age of 13.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Nov. 17 that he is expanding his investigation into Epic Systems Corporation, an electronic medical records company in Wisconsin.

“Too many companies are taking marching orders from the radical left, especially when it comes to their all-out assault on family values and parental rights,” Paxton said.

“Texas law forbids any hospital or corporate entity from denying parents access to their children’s medical records, and we’re going to ensure that the law is followed.”

His office sent Epic Systems a Civil Investigation Demand letter on policies concerning children’s privacy and parental access to their child’s medical records with a Nov. 30 deadline.

Paxton’s latest efforts began after he announced on Oct. 27 an investigation into Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System, which appeared to prevent parents from accessing the medical records of minors starting at age 13.

However, Memorial Herman responded that they were unaware of any specific patient complaint about access to records and that their health system’s policies complied with federal and state law.

The Texas hospital said it would work with the attorney general’s office to determine the facts and appropriately address this matter.

Epic Systems did not respond to a request for comment by press time.

Parental rights have been a growing concern nationwide as schools have allowed more sexual content into libraries and even hidden a child’s gender identity from parents.

Hospitals that offer “gender affirming care,” such as Vanderbilt University’s medical center, have faced backlash after being exposed for allowing teens access to surgery and medications in an attempt to change their gender.

State Rep. Steve Toth said that denying parent access to a child’s medical records violates state law and HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

“It’s the law. You don’t get to make up this crap on the fly,” Toth said.

Toth said the Biden administration has been pushing a false right to privacy for minors under Title IX, which protects people from discrimination.

After Biden took office, the U.S. Department of Education changed its interpretation of the anti-discrimination law to include sexual orientation and gender identity.