Texas AG Backs Houston Doctor in Ivermectin Dispute

Ken Paxton intervenes in Dr. Mary Talley Bowden's lawsuit against the Texas Medical Board over a 2021 ivermectin case.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed to intervene on behalf of Houston physician Dr. Mary Talley Bowden in her lawsuit against the Texas Medical Board. The dispute dates back to 2021 when Bowden prescribed ivermectin for a critically ill Tarrant County deputy, leading to a legal battle with the hospital. Paxton's move gives Bowden a powerful state ally as she pursues her appeal and new litigation against the medical board's reprimand.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing political and legal battles over the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19, with Paxton's intervention adding significant weight to Bowden's fight against the medical board's disciplinary action. It also raises questions about the role of state officials in regulating medical practices and the balance between individual medical judgment and regulatory oversight.

The details

In 2021, Bowden prescribed ivermectin for a critically ill Tarrant County deputy who was hospitalized with COVID-19. This led to a legal battle with the hospital, Texas Health Huguley, after the deputy's wife sued to allow Bowden to administer the drug. A trial court briefly granted Bowden temporary privileges at the hospital, but an appeals court later reversed that order. In 2025, the Texas Medical Board issued a public reprimand against Bowden, finding that she acted unprofessionally in the 2021 incident. Bowden has appealed the reprimand and plans additional legal challenges, and Paxton has now filed to intervene on her behalf, declining to represent the medical board in the case.

  • In 2021, Bowden prescribed ivermectin for a critically ill Tarrant County deputy.
  • In October 2025, the Texas Medical Board issued a public reprimand against Bowden.
  • In December 2025, the medical board denied Bowden's request for a rehearing.

The players

Ken Paxton

The Attorney General of Texas who has filed to intervene on behalf of Dr. Mary Talley Bowden in her lawsuit against the Texas Medical Board.

Dr. Mary Talley Bowden

A Houston physician who prescribed ivermectin for a critically ill Tarrant County deputy in 2021, leading to a legal dispute with the hospital and a reprimand from the Texas Medical Board.

Texas Medical Board

The state regulatory body that issued a public reprimand against Dr. Bowden in 2025 for her actions in the 2021 ivermectin case.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing political and legal battles over the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19, with Paxton's intervention adding significant weight to Bowden's fight against the medical board's disciplinary action. It also raises questions about the role of state officials in regulating medical practices and the balance between individual medical judgment and regulatory oversight.