A leading New York hospital system reportedly canceled scheduled treatments for transgender children following President Donald Trump's executive order. The executive order threatened to cut federal funding for hospitals found to be providing gender-affirming treatments.
Two 12-year-old patients were scheduled this week for procedures to implant puberty-blocking medication. According to the father of one child, the family's doctor canceled the appointment because of "the new administration." The child was supposed to receive Supprelin LA, a small device implanted in the upper arm that releases puberty-blocking hormones over time.
"The doctor recommended we call other hospitals or a specific doctor in Philadelphia," the father said, according to The New York Times. "It was clear they couldn't do anything because of the new guidelines."
The other canceled appointment involved the same type of procedure. The child's mother was informed that the medical team was "awaiting further guidance." Both families say these cancellations happened shortly after the new executive order was signed.
Is NYU Langone Health Cancelling All Trans Healthcare Services?
NYU Langone Health has not made any public statement confirming the cancellations or explaining the sudden change in policy. Steve Ritea, a spokesperson for the hospital, told reporters, "We currently have no information to provide."
It is unclear if or when NYU Langone Health will resume offering puberty-blocking treatments to transgender youth. The hospital has not clarified how it plans to comply with the executive order, which could affect its federal funding if it continues to offer gender-affirming procedures.
Donald Trump's Executive Order
For context, President Trump's executive order notes that the government will no longer provide funding to hospitals that offer gender-affirming treatment for children. These treatments include hormone replacement therapy, puberty-blocking medication, and surgery.
The White House considered these treatments "destructive and life-altering." It added that the new executive order works to ensure that federal research or education grants will no longer assist the so-called "chemical and surgical mutilation of children."
In addition to NYU Langone Health, many other hospitals across the United States have stopped offering gender-affirming care procedures for patients under 19.
Virginia Commonwealth University Health and Children's Hospital in Richmond was among these hospitals. However, it noted that its doors are still open to all patients and their families and that it can still provide screening, counseling, mental health services, and other services.
A Denver Health spokesperson said the hospital also stopped offering gender-affirming surgeries for individuals younger than 19. The hospital posted on its website that it was working to understand and would comply with the full implications of the executive order.
