Full Breakdown
DOJ Settles with NYU Langone and UPMC to End Pediatric Gender-Affirming Care
By Drooid · · How we work
Settlement Agreements End Pediatric Gender-Affirming Services
On September 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice announced agreements with New York University Langone Health and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) that require both systems to cease providing gender-affirming medical care to patients under 19. NYU Langone will pay $8.5 million and UPMC $950,000 to the federal government, resolving investigations into billing practices for puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and related procedures.
Background and Policy Context
The settlements follow a Trump-administration campaign to restrict gender-affirming care for minors. An executive order signed in early 2025 labeled such care “chemical and surgical mutilation” and directed HHS to withhold federal funding from providers that continue the practice. Prior to the September 2026 agreements, the Justice Department settled with Mount Sinai Health System (Sept 4, 2026), Texas Children’s Hospital (May 15, 2026), the Cleveland Clinic (June 5, 2026) and Connecticut Children’s Hospital (Aug 5, 2026).
Timeline of Key Developments
- May 15, 2026 – Texas Children’s Hospital settles.
- June 5, 2026 – Cleveland Clinic settles.
- August 5, 2026 – Connecticut Children’s Hospital settles.
- September 4, 2026 – Mount Sinai Health System settles.
- September 18, 2026 – NYU Langone and UPMC announce settlements; payments of $8.5 million and $950,000 respectively.
Both hospitals had halted pediatric gender-affirming services in 2025—NYU Langone in February and UPMC in April—citing the regulatory environment.
Data and Settlement Figures
- NYU Langone Health: $8.5 million; permanent cessation of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgical procedures for minors.
- UPMC: $950,000; 10-year moratorium on gender-affirming care for patients under 19.
- Total hospitals settled to date: six major systems across New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Connecticut and Ohio.
Official Statements and Responses
The Justice Department said the agreements “send a clear message” that hospitals obtaining payment for such procedures will be held accountable.
NYU Langone’s spokesperson said the hospital “denies any wrongdoing” but settled to avoid disclosing confidential patient records and prolonged litigation.
Criticism and Opposition
Local advocacy groups and elected officials condemned the settlements as capitulation to political pressure. TransYOUniting board member Kian White called the DOJ action “medical abandonment.” Board member Lyndsey Sickler warned that “the continued attack on our community isn’t going to benefit anybody.” Kei Williams, executive director of New Pride Agenda, described the settlements as an “encroaching shadow ban” threatening state protections for transgender youth.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Sources differ on when UPMC stopped services—some cite April 2025, others July 2025. The Justice Department has not disclosed how the settlement funds will be used, leaving the disposition of the $8.5 million and $950,000 unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Department of Justice is fighting to protect our nation’s children and working tirelessly to reach agreements with hospitals to end so-called ‘gender affirming care’ for minors,” — Attorney General Todd Blanche.
- “Today’s resolutions send a clear message: hospitals that target children in these practices and then fraudulently obtain payment for the procedures will be held to account,” — Attorney General Todd Blanche.
- “Gender-affirming care isn't just for transgender people,” — TransYOUniting.
- “It sounds more like medical abandonment than protection to me,” — Kian White.
What’s Next
The Justice Department indicated investigations into additional providers are ongoing, but no specific hearings or deadlines have been announced. The settlements do not affect adult gender-affirming services, and both NYU Langone and UPMC will continue to provide such care to patients 18 years and older.