New York – In a bold legal move, New York Attorney General Letitia James has led an alliance of 18 states and the District of Columbia in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) over its proposed restrictions on gender-affirming care for youth.
The coalition argues that an unlawful and unprecedented ‘declaration’ issued by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unfairly labels certain forms of gender-affirming care as ‘unsafe and ineffective,’ threatening to penalize healthcare providers with exclusion from the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Attorney General James emphasizes, ‘Secretary Kennedy cannot unilaterally change medical standards by posting a document online.’ She asserts that the action is an attempt to ignore legal procedures and intimidate providers, infringing on states’ authority over medicine regulation.
HHS has also proposed two rules aimed at barring gender-affirming care providers from participating in Medicare and Medicaid and imposing federal reimbursement bans. These proposals are currently under public comment until February 17, 2026.
The coalition claims that HHS is circumventing legal requirements by issuing the declaration without public consultation or consideration of medical evidence. They argue that this overreach violates states’ rights to regulate healthcare and undermines doctors’ abilities to make informed decisions with their patients.
This lawsuit raises critical concerns about federal interference in medical practice, healthcare access, and the dignity of transgender youth and their families.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: NY AG
- Category: Public Corruption|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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