Gov. Abbott Orders Review of Chinese-Made Medical Devices Over Cybersecurity Concerns

AUSTIN, TX — Gov. Greg Abbott has directed several Texas state agencies and public medical facilities to review cybersecurity risks associated with medical equipment manufactured in the People’s Republic of China.

In a letter released Monday, Abbott instructed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the Texas Department of State Health Services and public university systems to evaluate cybersecurity protections and procurement policies tied to such devices. The review aims to prevent potential breaches of sensitive patient data and protect critical health care infrastructure.

Abbott said the directive is intended to safeguard Texans’ personal medical information and strengthen security at state-owned medical facilities.

“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.”

Federal agencies earlier warned about vulnerabilities in some Chinese-manufactured patient monitoring devices. In January, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Food and Drug Administration issued notices describing security flaws that could allow unauthorized actors to remotely access protected health information.

Abbott cited those warnings in his directive and called on state agencies to assess existing equipment and ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.

The governor also highlighted other steps taken by Texas to address cybersecurity and foreign influence concerns, including expanding the state’s prohibited technology list, creating the Texas Cyber Command and signing legislation restricting certain foreign entities from purchasing land in the state.

Abbott has also issued several executive orders aimed at countering security threats from foreign adversaries, including GA-47, GA-48 and GA-49.