NEW YORK — New York Attorney General Letitia James has issued a strong warning to hospitals regarding the provision of gender-affirming care for individuals under the age of 19. In a recent communication, she emphasized that any efforts to cease these services would constitute a violation of state law, following a controversial executive order aimed at limiting federal funding for such treatments.
In her letter, James reiterated the need for healthcare facilities to adhere to New York’s anti-discrimination laws, stating, “Regardless of the availability of federal funding, we write to further remind you of your obligations to comply with New York State laws.”
The recent executive order has raised significant concerns, especially since it includes language that many consider inflammatory, labeling gender-affirming procedures with terms like “mutilation” and “sterilization.” This has generated substantial controversy, contradicting the established understanding of gender-affirming care practices in the United States.
Following the order, several hospitals across states, including Colorado, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., announced temporary pauses on gender-affirming treatments while they assess the implications of the new directive. This development has prompted comments from the White House, indicating that the executive order is already influencing hospital policies.
The Greater New York Hospital Association is actively engaged with its member hospitals to navigate the complexities of the executive order, with ongoing discussions regarding its legal and clinical ramifications.
While gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth remains a polarizing topic, new research indicates that such treatments are infrequently utilized. Recent findings show that less than 1 in 1,000 adolescents with commercial insurance in the U.S. accessed puberty blockers or hormones over a recent five-year span.
