Governor Greg Abbott released a letter on Mar. 9 directing Texas state agencies and state-owned medical facilities to address potential cybersecurity concerns related to medical equipment manufactured in the People’s Republic of China. The directive instructs the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the Department of State Health Services, and public university systems to review their cybersecurity and procurement policies to protect Texans from possible data breaches involving their medical information.
The issue is significant because it involves safeguarding personal privacy and critical infrastructure in the healthcare sector. “Maintaining Texans’ physical security and protecting their personal privacy, especially personal medical data, is of paramount importance,” Abbott said. “I will not let Communist China spy on Texans. State-owned medical facilities must ensure there are safeguards in place to protect Texans’ private medical data and our critical medical infrastructure.”
Recent federal notices have highlighted these concerns. In January, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) under the Trump Administration, along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), issued warnings about security vulnerabilities found in Chinese-manufactured patient monitoring devices. These vulnerabilities could allow unauthorized actors remote access to protected health information, confirming expert warnings about risks posed by such devices.
Abbott has previously taken steps aimed at countering threats from foreign adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party. These actions include adding certain technologies to a state Prohibited Technology list, signing legislation banning hostile foreign entities from purchasing land in Texas, creating the Texas Cyber Command as a large-scale state-based cybersecurity department, and issuing executive orders GA-47, GA-48, and GA-49 targeting activities linked to Communist China.
According to the official website, Abbott has led efforts that contributed to job growth and record employment levels across Texas since his election in 2014. The Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott maintains its primary offices in Austin at the State Insurance Building according to official sources. He was also recognized among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2024 according to official records. The office focuses on job creation, economic opportunities, education enhancement, protection of individual liberties, parental empowerment in schooling decisions, and southern border security according to its website. The governor’s office delivers services statewide across Texas according to official information.
