Major NYC Hospital Halts Its Transgender Youth Program

NYU Langone Health has shut down its high-profile program for transgender youth, citing federal pressure and leadership changes as key factors. The Manhattan hospital said it ended its Transgender Youth Health Program following the departure of its medical director and in light of "the current regulatory environment," a reference to Trump administration moves to penalize hospitals that provide transition-related care to minors. Proposed federal rules, announced in December, would strip funding from facilities offering puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or surgery to adolescents.

NYU Langone said it will help current patients "manage this change." Fox News reports the link to the hospital's Transgender Youth Health Program now redirects to a Gender & Sexuality Service page that highlights mental health services designed to "help your child and family understand gender identity and connect your child with appropriate medical and mental health services."

The New York Times reports the announcement "did not come out of the blue," and that many families who have relied on major health systems to treat their transgender children have been trying to get a Plan B in place. For the past year, NYU Langone hasn't admitted any new minors into its transgender youth program.