NYU Langone Health announced on January 30, 2025, that it will discontinue its Transgender Youth Health Program. This decision follows a recent executive order by President Donald Trump, which prohibits gender-affirming health care for minors, as well as a proposal issued in December 2024 to withdraw federal funds from hospitals that provide gender transition treatments to young people.
In a statement, NYU Langone explained, “Given the recent departure of our medical director, coupled with the current regulatory environment, we made the difficult decision to discontinue our Transgender Youth Health Program. We are committed to helping patients in our care manage this change. This does not impact our pediatric mental health care programs, which will continue.”
Advocacy Groups Respond
The cancellation of the program has drawn sharp criticism from advocacy organizations and community leaders. Elisa Crespo, a representative from the Stonewall Community Foundation, expressed her concerns, stating, “What I know is that trans youth exist. I once was a trans youth myself. This care is supported by nearly every major medical association in the country.” She highlighted that many families are struggling to find alternative support, saying, “American families are really hurting right now. I’m being contacted by parents of trans youth who are devastated and don’t know where to turn.”
Crespo emphasized the need for local and state governments to address the gaps left by the program’s closure. “It’s a shame our government is getting in the way of decisions that should be made between families, young people, and their doctors,” she added. “It’s a shame they are perpetuating such a bias and harmful narrative about gender-affirming care.”
Political and Community Leadership Condemnation
New York City Councilmember Tiffany Cabán also criticized the decision, stating, “NYU Langone: shame on you for bending the knee to the Trump Administration and closing the Transgender Youth Health Program. It is a disturbing violation of the Hippocratic Oath (First, Do No Harm) to cancel care that is proven to save lives.” Cabán argued that access to gender-affirming care is crucial for the mental health and well-being of transgender youth, noting that its removal could lead to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts among this vulnerable population.
Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), echoed these sentiments, stating, “The NYCLU is extremely disturbed by NYU Langone Health’s decision to end medically necessary care for transgender youth. Gender-affirming care helps people live as their authentic selves and can be lifesaving.” She condemned the Trump administration’s policies as punitive against individuals simply seeking to express their identity.
The decision by NYU Langone raises significant concerns about the future of health care for transgender youth in the United States, particularly in light of increasing political opposition to gender-affirming treatments. As advocacy groups mobilize to address the fallout, the situation highlights the ongoing debate surrounding access to health care for marginalized communities.
