Trending Now - Federal Government Faces Pushback on Transgender Care Policies
WHO:
Judge Mustafa Kasubhai
Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
New York Attorney General Letitia James
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche
NYU Langone Health
Coalition of 19 states and the District of Columbia
WHAT:
Judge Mustafa Kasubhai stated that the government's declaration warned doctors they could be excluded from federal health programs like Medicare and Medicaid if they provide certain treatments.
Letitia James stated, “NYU Langone's change in policy is self-imposed; there has been no change in federal law to require the cessation of medically necessary transgender healthcare.”
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated that the DOJ would defend NYU Langone Health in litigation if Letitia James moved forward with suing.
A federal judge ruled that the U.S. government overreached by declaring certain types of gender-affirming care unsafe for young people.
The judge denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss the case.
The lawsuit alleges that the declaration seeks to coerce providers to stop providing gender-affirming care.
NYU Langone Health decided to stop its Transgender Youth Health Program.
Letitia James warned NYU Langone Health that she would take legal action if the program was not reinstated within 10 days.
The DOJ stated it would defend NYU Langone Health in litigation if James moved forward with suing.
WHERE:
Portland, Oregon
New York City
NYU Langone Health, Manhattan, New York
WHEN:
The ruling was made on Thursday, March 19th, 2026.
The declaration was issued in December 2025.
The lawsuit was filed in December 2025.
The DOJ's letter was sent on Wednesday, March 18th, 2026.
The decision to stop the Transgender Youth Health Program was made in February 2026.
WHY:
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche argued that the state anti-discrimination law cited by Letitia James was not applicable to the hospital's transgender treatment program.
The judge's ruling was based on Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. not following proper administrative procedures.
NYU Langone Health's decision was influenced by threats from the federal government regarding funding.
HOW:
NYU Langone Health's decision to stop its Transgender Youth Health Program was influenced by threats from the federal government regarding funding, as stated by spokesman Steve Ritea.
The judge's ruling followed a roughly 6-hour hearing.
The lawsuit claims that federal law requires public notice and an opportunity to comment before changing health policy.
The DOJ's position is supported by the Supreme Court's ruling in United States v. Skrmetti, which upheld a ban on certain transgender medical care for minors.
(UPDATED March 20, 2026 13:20 UTC)
In a significant legal development, Judge Mustafa Kasubhai revealed that the government warned doctors they could lose access to federal health programs like Medicare and Medicaid if they continue providing certain treatments. Letitia James emphasized that NYU Langone's decision to halt its Transgender Youth Health Program was a self-imposed change, asserting that there has been no federal law mandating such a cessation of medically necessary transgender healthcare. Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the Department of Justice would support NYU Langone in any litigation if James pursued legal action, arguing that the state anti-discrimination law she cited does not apply to the hospital's transgender treatment program.
--
(UPDATED March 20, 2026 07:20 UTC)
A federal judge in Portland ruled on March 19 that the U.S. government overstepped its authority by declaring certain types of gender-affirming care unsafe for young people, denying a motion to dismiss the case brought by a coalition of 19 states and the District of Columbia. The ruling came after NYU Langone Health decided to halt its Transgender Youth Health Program, prompting New York Attorney General Letitia James to threaten legal action if the program is not reinstated within ten days, while the Department of Justice stated it would defend the health center in court if necessary. This decision follows a six-hour hearing and is rooted in claims that proper administrative procedures were not followed, as federal law mandates public notice and opportunities for comment before health policy changes.