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 both the physical security and personal privacy of Texans, particularly their sensitive health data. Governor Abbott said, “Maintaining Texans’ physical security and protecting their personal privacy, especially personal medical data, is of paramount importance. 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.”
The governor’s action follows recent federal notices issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which described vulnerabilities in Chinese-manufactured patient monitoring devices that could allow unauthorized access to protected health information remotely. These warnings have been echoed by experts who see the spread of such smart devices as a serious risk for data privacy.
Abbott has previously taken steps aimed at countering threats from foreign adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party. These measures 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—the largest state-based cybersecurity department in America—and issuing executive orders GA-47, GA-48, and GA-49 targeting threats linked to China.
According to the official website, Abbott has led the Office of Texas Governor since his election in 2014. The office maintains its primary location at the State Insurance Building in Austin and delivers services statewide across Texas. The office has also contributed to job growth and record employment levels in Texas according to its official website. In addition, TIME listed Abbott among its 100 Most Influential People in 2024 according to official sources. The governor’s priorities include job creation, economic opportunities, education enhancement, protection of individual liberties, parental empowerment in schooling decisions, and southern border security according to official sources.
Broader implications of this directive may affect how public institutions across Texas evaluate technology procurement going forward as concerns about foreign influence over critical infrastructure continue.
