February 19, 2026 NEW YORK, NY In a move that has sent shockwaves through the medical community and ignited a firestorm in Albany and City Hall, NYU Langone has officially pulled the plug on its Transgender Youth Health Program.

The announcement, confirmed on Feb. 18, marks a stunning retreat for one of the nation’s premier healthcare institutions. While the hospital cites the departure of a medical director and a "challenging regulatory environment," critics are calling it something much simpler: surrender.

The "Trump Effect" Hits New York Hospitals

The closure isn't happening in a vacuum. It comes exactly one year after the Trump administration issued a sweeping executive order aimed at stripping federal funds from any provider offering gender-affirming care to minors under 19.

The pressure is mounting from the top down:

• HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Attorney General Pam Bondi have signaled a zero-tolerance policy for federal funding of these procedures.

• Proposed White House rules would bar federal Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) funding for youth gender-affirming care.

• Medicare Participation: New rules may soon ban any hospital participating in Medicare from providing this care to minors.

"Bending the Knee": Elected Officials Livid

The backlash was instantaneous. From the City Council to the State Senate, leaders are accusing NYU Langone of violating the Hippocratic Oath to protect its bottom line.

“NYU Langone: shame on you for bending the knee to the Trump Administration,” said Councilmember Tiffany Cabán. “It is a disturbing violation of the Hippocratic Oath—First, Do No Harm—to cancel care that is proven to save lives.”

LGBTQIA+ Caucus Co-Chairs Chi Ossé and Justin Sanchez went further, labeling the move a "despicable" attack. They warned that if the city allows the federal government to "manufacture hysteria" around youth care today, adult care will be the next target on the chopping block.

A Legal Minefield: Federal vs. State Law

While Washington threatens to pull the purse strings, New York State law tells a different story. Attorney General Letitia James and local lawmakers have repeatedly reminded providers that New York prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or expression.

The NYC Commission on Human Rights has already confirmed it is "deeply troubled" and is actively investigating claims of discriminatory denials of care.

The Human Cost

For the families currently enrolled in the program, the "difficult decision" described by NYU Langone’s spokesperson, Steve Ritea, feels like an abandonment. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal noted that abruptly ending care carries "significant physical and mental health risks" for patients already mid-treatment.

As the state prepares to fight back with legislation that would mandate Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care—regardless of federal threats—the question remains: Will other New York hospitals follow NYU’s lead, or will they stand their ground against the capital?