New York City’s NYU Langone Health has announced it will close its transgender youth care program for minors. The hospital said recent staff changes and a challenging federal regulatory environment influenced the decision. Pediatric mental health services will continue. The closure follows pressure from the Trump administration, which warned that hospitals providing gender-affirming care for minors could lose federal funding. An executive order earlier this year stated that the government would not fund or support any medical transition for children. NYU Langone began cancelling appointments for minors soon after the order was issued. New York Attorney General Letitia James directed the hospital to continue care, citing state anti-discrimination laws. A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order to block the federal directive from taking effect. Despite these legal protections, the Department of Health and Human Services proposed a rule in December to withhold Medicare and Medicaid funds from hospitals offering “sex‑reassignment procedures” to children under 18. Reports show that more than 40 hospitals nationwide have paused or ended some type of gender-affirming care for youth since Trump returned to office. Gender-affirming care includes treatments such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and, rarely, surgery. Major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, support these treatments when carefully managed. Programs follow detailed evaluations and involve families throughout the process. Puberty blockers are fully reversible, and surgery for minors is uncommon. Medical experts emphasize that gender-affirming care can prevent serious mental health risks, including depression and suicidal thoughts. Ending care abruptly can negatively affect both the physical and emotional well-being of young patients. Community leaders and advocacy groups criticized NYU Langone’s decision. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal said closing the program “jeopardizes the lives and well-being of their patients.” He added that gender-affirming care is life-saving for many youth. A rally in support of transgender minors is scheduled outside the Stonewall National Monument in Manhattan. Supporters argue that the hospital is yielding to federal pressure rather than prioritizing patient health. The White House praised NYU Langone’s closure. A spokesperson said the Trump administration aims to “restore common sense” and halt what it described as unscientific and irreversible procedures on children. While the federal government frames this as policy enforcement, many medical professionals warn that restricting gender-affirming care could increase mental health risks for vulnerable youth. The debate highlights ongoing tension between federal authority, state protections, and medical best practices. The closure of NYU Langone’s program reflects a broader trend. Hospitals across the U.S. are re-evaluating gender-affirming care for minors due to potential funding losses. Advocates warn that limiting access could harm the physical and emotional health of transgender youth nationwide. Experts call for careful, evidence-based policies that prioritize patient safety and mental health. They argue that gender-affirming care, when provided responsibly, is supported by research and international medical guidelines. As federal rules and legal battles continue, families of transgender youth face uncertainty about accessing critical healthcare. The situation at NYU Langone highlights the intersection of healthcare, politics, and civil rights, with the well-being of young patients at stake.