NYC to allocate $9 million to non-profits for youth gender-affirming care as private hospitals retreat

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is planning to steer nearly $9 million to non-profit health providers to deliver gender-affirming care services for trans youth after multiple private hospitals gave in to pressure from the Trump administration and stopped providing such care to youth and some adults. "[The Department of Health] will contract with organizations providing or facilitating the provision of gender-affirming care to patients under age 18," stated a notice posted on the city record on Oct. 6. "This includes the prescription and administration of puberty-blockers and hormone replacement therapy to all minor patients for whom such services are medically necessary based on the prevailing standards of care. Services will be performed by qualified medical providers with current New York State licensure, and will be provided consistent with state laws governing parental consent." The contract, slated to begin on Feb. 1 of next year, would total $8.9 million and last for three years, with one three-year option to renew. The Department of Health is eyeing two non-profits to carry out those services: Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, which delivers comprehensive LGBTQ-inclusive care, including gender-affirming care, regardless of ability to pay; and the Nonprofit Organization for Philanthropic Initiatives. “Transgender people of all ages deserve comprehensive healthcare that helps them thrive," Patrick McGovern, CEO of Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, told Gay City News in a written statement. "At Callen-Lorde, we have continued to provide medically necessary treatment for transgender youth in accordance with the standards of care endorsed by major medical organizations and protected by the laws of New York. We are grateful to Mayor Mamdani for supporting youth in their quest to live authentically. Since October of 2025 we have treated transgender youth using only private, non-federal funds. Funding from the City of New York is critical support for organizations and entities that are currently, and have been, providing affirming care for transgender youth.” [caption id="attachment_54031" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Callen-Lorde CEO Patrick McGovern.Donna Aceto[/caption] The Nonprofit Organization for Philanthropic Initiatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Oct. 6. The contract proposal comes just weeks after two private hospitals that previously provided gender-affirming care to youth — NYU Langone and Mount Sinai — agreed with the Department of Justice to stop providing gender-affirming care to youth and some adults. Both of those providers had already started restricting care to trans youth in 2025 in the aftermath of an executive order by President Donald Trump calling for an end to youth gender-affirming care. The city is also inviting any other vendors who wish to join the contract to submit an expression of interest via email by 2 p.m. on Oct. 16 to Tamala Watson at  twatson2@health.nyc.gov. Those applying are asked to include EPIN 81627N0004 in their message. A spokesperson for the city Department of Health did not respond to a request for comment on Oct. 6.