This Week in Austin: Gov. Abbott to require health agencies to address cybersecurity threats by People’s Republic of China
Publish Date: 2026-03-22 04:54:00
Source Domain: texasmetronews.com
By Rita Cook
Correspondent
Texas Metro News
Comtec CMS8000
AUSTIN – Texas health agencies were put on notice last week by Texas Governor Greg Abbott regarding potential cybersecurity concerns linked to medical equipment manufactured in the People’s Republic of China.
The concern is that this medical equipment could be at risk of security breaches.
The governor’s office sent a letter directing state agencies and state-owned medical facilities to address the possible cybersecurity concerns immediately.
ADVERTISEMENT
Abbott explained in his letter that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), and public university systems were to review cybersecurity and procurement policies and submit findings to his office by April 17.
He is also requesting recommendations to correct any situations that were identified specifically including how policies address alerts and notices issued by the FDA or CISA for internet-connected medical devices with HHSC are promoting awareness of FDA resources to report cybersecurity concerns with medical devices.
The necessary outreach campaign to Texas hospitals and other healthcare providers to be regulated by HHSC will be a key component for future awareness.
Abbott said this latest move was made to protect Texans from data breaches of their medical information.
“Maintaining Texans’ physical security and protecting their personal privacy, especially personal medical data, is of paramount importance,” Governor 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.”
ADVERTISEMENT
It was in January; the Trump Administration’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a series of notices describing security…
