Gov. Kathy Hochul pushed back Saturday after NYU Langone said it would shut down its Transgender Youth Health Program, arguing that medical choices belong to families and doctors, not lawmakers in Washington. Hospital officials say the decision stems from leadership changes and a fraught federal regulatory climate that has threatened to strip funding from institutions that treat trans minors. For many families in Manhattan and beyond, the announcement has meant interrupted prescriptions, canceled appointments and a frantic scramble to find new care.
We believe in choice for ALL New Yorkers. Medical decisions belong to families and their doctors, not Republicans in Washington. pic.twitter.com/bByUCOoLgZ
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@govkathyhochul) February 21, 2026
In a post on X, Hochul wrote that “we believe in choice for ALL New Yorkers” and urged state leaders to defend patient choice against federal pressure, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s post. Her comments followed NYU Langone’s announcement, which drew swift criticism from advocates and elected officials across the city.
NYU Langone shutters pediatric trans program
NYU Langone confirmed on Tuesday that it would discontinue its Transgender Youth Health Program, citing the recent departure of the program’s medical director and “the current regulatory environment,” according to reporting by NY1. The system said pediatric mental health services would continue even as prescriptions and other gender affirming medical treatments for minors are wound down. Hospital spokespeople told reporters the organization would try to help existing patients transition care, but offered few concrete timelines.
Families scramble as appointments are canceled
Parents and patients described abrupt phone calls and canceled follow ups, with some clinicians recommending temporary refill plans while families hunt for new providers, according to Washington Square News. Advocates staged a rally outside the Stonewall Inn to demand state and city action and to press hospitals to reinstate services. Medical experts quoted in local coverage warned that sudden interruptions to hormone therapy can carry mental health risks and complicate care plans.
Legal and policy fallout
New York’s attorney general has already sued the Department of Health and Human Services over rules that would tie federal grants to compliance with policies critics say force discrimination against trans people, according to a press release from the Attorney General’s office. Attorney General Letitia James’ press release says the suit seeks to block HHS from conditioning billions in funding on discriminatory certifications, a legal fight that has put hospitals between federal threats and state antidiscrimination laws. Coverage by The Guardian notes the dispute follows an executive order and proposed HHS rules that prompted several major hospitals to curtail youth services last year.
What’s next for patients and city leaders
State lawmakers and advocates are pressing Albany for a concrete plan. State Senator Kristen Gonzalez has urged creating an $8 million gender affirming care fund to pick up patients who lose access to private clinics, per her office’s statement. Sen. Kristen Gonzalez’s statement and coverage of rallies outside NYU Langone by Gay City News highlight growing pressure on mayoral and gubernatorial officials to act. City and state leaders have not announced immediate funding moves, but elected officials say they are exploring options to keep care available.
How families can find care
NYU Langone says it will continue pediatric mental health services and points families to its Gender & Sexuality Service and intake lines while it helps patients transition care, according to hospital information online. NYU Langone’s Gender & Sexuality Service describes counseling and resources that remain available even as medical treatments are paused. Families are being advised to check waitlists at community clinics and contact state health agencies for referrals and emergency prescriptions.
Hochul has framed the dispute as a fight over medical autonomy, writing that decisions should be made by clinicians and families, not “Republicans in Washington,” in her post on X. Her post on X echoed calls from advocates for immediate state intervention as the legal battle over federal funding continues.
Some people I spoke with on this issue had some comments and points to make to Hochul and James.
“The one thing that Hochul is not mentioning is that the federal government is not saying they can’t do them. What it is saying is that if you do them we won’t pay for it. NYU Langone is quite able to do the surgeries; they just won’t receive the federal funding they have been getting. Her statement about choice for all new Yorkers is accurate, so NEW YORK Langone is MAKING A CHOICE, keep the federal funding and ditch the trans surgeries for children.”
Others don’t see James’ point. “Where is there discrimination against trans people? There are two golden rules… the first is the one everyone knows, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The second, less known one is… “He who has the gold makes the rules.” When you go for a mortgage, the bank sets rules for you to get the loan. They even ask if all of the statements you made are true to the best of your knowledge. If they find that something isn’t… or you didn’t meet all of the requirements to get the mortgage, then you DON’T get the money. Same with federal monies. If you want the money, you’ll follow my rules, even if you disagree with them. There is nothing in the Constitution that says the federal government has to give hospitals federal money for anything. Again, no one is telling NYU Langone they can’t do the surgeries, just that if they do, they don’t get federal monies.”
Ronald Reagan did something that was (at the time) perfectly unconstitutional, yet he did it legally. How can that be? How can you violate the law and do it legally? Well, he demanded that all states raise their drinking ages to 21. This was to avoid (or at least minimize) teen deaths and deaths of others from drunk driving. This violates the 10th Amendment which states: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people” If they did not comply, they would lose federal highway funds to maintain the Interstate Highways in their state. No one had a problem with that. Straight out violation of the Constitution. Until… Opposition: Some states viewed this, and similar federal actions, as “blackmail” or a violation of states’ rights, but the Supreme Court deemed it a valid use of the spending power in South Dakota -v- Dole.
“Again, it’s not a fight over medical autonomy. It’s a matter of funding it. The autonomy to choose to do the surgery is there. You just have to pay for it yourself. The federal government is not going to. And since they are the ones giving the money, they can give it to whomever and whenever they want to or don’t want to. No discrimination. Not denying medical autonomy. Simple choice. DO the surgeries, get no money. DON’T do the surgeries, get money.”