Letitia James, the attorney general of New York, has strongly warned hospitals in the state that following President Donald Trump’s latest executive order on transgender healthcare would be against state law.
The directive, which Trump signed last week, requires government agencies to make sure hospitals that receive federal money for research and education cease to do what he calls “chemical and surgical mutilation of children.”
The vocabulary used in the order, such as “maiming” and “sterilizing,” is very different from what is commonly used in the United States when addressing care that is gender affirming.
Particularly among conservative groups, gender-affirming care—especially for children—has emerged as a major source of disagreement in social and political discussions.
The goal of the medical procedure, which includes hormone therapy and occasionally surgery, is to support a person’s gender identity.
Some therapies are thought to be life-saving for transgender adults and youth who are more likely to commit suicide as a result of gender dysphoria.
Trump’s executive order particularly targets the use of government funds for such care and attempts to restrict access to it, but the strategy has faced growing pushback.
Attorney General James wrote to healthcare facilities in response to the executive order, reminding them of their responsibilities under New York State law, which forbids discrimination on the basis of gender identity.
The letter stressed that healthcare providers must continue to provide gender-affirming care in accordance with New York’s anti-discrimination legislation, regardless of the federal government’s position or the availability of federal money.
Refusing to provide such care would be a violation of state law, which provides strong safeguards for transgender people, James said.
Other states have been less willing to comply with Trump’s directive, but New York has been a strong advocate for gender-affirming care.
In order to comply with the new executive order, hospitals in Colorado, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., have already declared that they will halt gender-affirming care for kids.
Given the escalating emotions surrounding the subject, these acts highlight the continued disparity between state and federal legislation regarding transgender healthcare.
Along with a recent restriction on transgender women and girls playing women’s sports, Trump’s executive order is part of a larger attempt to restrict transgender rights.
Additionally, Trump’s directive urges the Department of Justice to seek legal action and legislative actions to limit the practice, and it instructs federal insurance programs to restrict coverage for gender-affirming care.
Letitia James is well-known for her continuous inquiries into Trump’s business dealings in addition to her support of transgender causes.
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She started an investigation into Trump’s financial activities in 2019 and charged him with deceiving banks and insurance companies about the worth of his assets.
In 2022, James also brought a civil complaint against Trump, his kids, and the Trump Organization, claiming they were complicit in a deception to inflate their wealth.
Trump has continuously attempted to brush these probes aside, claiming they are politically motivated.
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The ongoing conflict between Trump’s federal policies and state-level safeguards for transgender people is exacerbated by this most recent altercation between the former president and the attorney general of New York.
James’ caution to New York’s medical professionals is a powerful reminder of the state’s dedication to guaranteeing that gender-affirming care is still available despite the changing political climate.
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