Publication Date: November 10, 2025

Author: Brigitte Walser
Source: Der Bund
Publication Date: November 10, 2025
Summary Reading Time: 3 minutes

Executive Summary

The Canton of Bern plans the comprehensive implementation of the American Epic system for all public hospitals – a 100-million-franc decision that raises fundamental questions about digital sovereignty in healthcare. While the government focuses on efficiency and connectivity, critics warn of financial dependency and insufficient democratic control. The controversy exemplifies the conflict between technological innovation and state self-determination in critical infrastructures.

Critical Key Questions

Digital Sovereignty: How much dependency on foreign tech giants is acceptable in sensitive healthcare – and where does the endangerment of state autonomy begin?
Democratic Control: May a government make factually irreversible million-franc decisions through prejudgment before parliament can substantially participate in the decision?
Innovation vs. Monopolization: Does Epic standardization promote genuine efficiency – or does it cement market power at the expense of Swiss IT innovations and freedom of choice?

Scenario Analysis: Future Perspectives

Short-term (1 year):
Political resistance in the Grand Council, intensified data protection discussions, possible delays due to consultation criticism from the Swiss IT industry.

Medium-term (5 years):
If implemented: Emergence of an Epic-dominated healthcare ecosystem in Switzerland, increased dependency on US updates and licensing policies, potential cost increases due to quasi-monopoly position.

Long-term (10–20 years):
Possible geopolitical vulnerability in case of US sanctions or data protection conflicts, weakening of the European digital health industry, precedent effect for other cantons and critical infrastructures.

Main Summary

Core Topic & Context

The Canton of Bern wants to standardize all public hospitals with the American Epic system – following the model of Inselspital. The decision comes at a time of growing debates about digital sovereignty and the market power of American tech corporations in European healthcare.

Most Important Facts & Figures

Inselspital Investment: approximately 100 million francs (excluding internal personnel costs)
User Base: around 50,000 people with Myinsel app
Data Storage: on own servers on Inselspital premises
Market Position: Epic positioned as "most comprehensive system"
Consultation: critical statements from the Swiss IT industry

Stakeholders & Affected Parties

Public hospitals of the Canton of Bern (implementation)
Patients (data protection, service quality)
Swiss IT industry (market displacement)
Grand Council (democratic control)
Medical practices (future system integration)

Opportunities & Risks

Opportunities: Improved data exchange, unified platform, research and prevention potential
Risks: Vendor lock-in, high follow-up costs, geopolitical dependency, weakening of local IT competence, democratic deficit in prejudgment

Action Relevance

Decision-makers should examine alternative interoperability solutions and demand transparent cost-benefit analyses. The danger of creeping prejudgment by the government requires parliamentary vigilance. Data protection audit and exit strategies must be defined before contract conclusion.

Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking

✅ Investment sum and user numbers confirmed by Inselspital
✅ Consultation criticism from IT industry documented
⚠️ To be verified: Precise alternatives analysis and market comparison

Supplementary Research

Epic Systems Corporation: US market leader with over 250 million patient records worldwide, annual revenue approximately 4 billion USD. Criticism due to high costs and vendor lock-in strategies.

Swiss Digital Health Sector: Growing concerns about American market dominance in critical infrastructures, EU initiatives for digital sovereignty as possible orientation.

Bibliography

Primary Source:
US System for the Canton of Bern? – Der Bund

Verification Status: ✅ Facts checked on November 10, 2025