The Texas Medical Board’s medical director, Dr. Robert Bredt, has retired following revelations of his employment with a Planned Parenthood laboratory, a disclosure that sparked swift criticism from conservative lawmakers.
Dr. Bredt, who earned $185,000 annually, had been with the medical licensing agency since 2012. While the board members are appointed by Governor Greg Abbott, the medical director role is independently hired by agency leadership.
According to his resumé, Bredt also worked with the Planned Parenthood South Texas Laboratory since 2011 and at Genics Laboratory in Las Vegas and San Antonio since 2022. At 62, he is recognized as a professor, consultant, and laboratory inspector.
Bredt submitted his retirement paperwork on Tuesday, the same day he left his position. He declined to comment on his departure.
The backlash against Bredt stems from the Texas Medical Board’s ongoing legal battle with Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, a Houston-based physician who has gained attention for her opposition to COVID-19 vaccines and use of ivermectin as a treatment. In 2023, the board filed a complaint against Bowden, accusing her of professional misconduct, including treating a COVID patient without an examination.
As part of the case, the board filed a motion naming Bredt as an expert witness, inadvertently disclosing his resumé and revealing his affiliation with Planned Parenthood. Upon the reveal, State Representative Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian) “within minutes” publicly shared Bredt’s Planned Parenthood ties on social media. Harrison called for Bredt’s removal, sending a letter to Governor Abbott and pledging to introduce legislation defunding the medical board if action was not taken.
“There’s no place for someone affiliated with Planned Parenthood in a role overseeing our state’s medical standards,” Harrison said. “This is about ensuring the values of Texans are reflected in our institutions.”
For years, Planned Parenthood has been at the center of conservative efforts to reshape health care policy in Texas. The state has forfeited federal funding to cut the organization out of Medicaid and is pursuing a $1.8 billion lawsuit against it.
Despite no longer performing abortions in Texas, Planned Parenthood remains a concern for conservative leaders. State Representative Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park) labeled the organization a “criminal enterprise,” urging further scrutiny of state employees with ties to the group.
In response, Planned Parenthood South Texas CEO Laura Terrill defended Bredt’s work, calling the attacks politically motivated. “Dr. Bredt’s contributions exemplify a commitment to high-quality medical care,” she said. “We remain focused on providing essential health services to Texans, in full compliance with the law.”
Harrison celebrated Bredt’s departure but called for a deeper investigation into the Texas Medical Board’s hiring practices. He also suggested he might pursue broader reforms targeting the board.
“This is about restoring trust and accountability,” Harrison said. “Texans deserve to know their state agencies align with their values and are free from ties to organizations that undermine life and family.”
