Washington's Medical Records Dispute
Epic Systems, a company specializing in healthcare databases that store medical records for hundreds of millions of Americans, is facing an investigation by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on charges of monopolizing the electronic health records market and excluding competitors by restricting access to data. The investigation follows a lawsuit filed by the state of Texas, accusing Epic of attempting to gain full control over data to stifle competition, by imposing restrictions on information sharing and charging fees to clients wishing to switch to other systems. Epic manages platforms used by healthcare organizations to treat over 280 million people, with its "Care Everywhere" system exchanging more than 20 million medical records daily, half of which involve systems not owned by Epic. The case is significant because it pertains to Epic’s ability to access data and facilitate its transfer, which is vital for enhancing interoperability and ensuring free competition in the U.S. healthcare technology market.
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