Hoylman-Sigal supports Intro 949 but says $15M is insufficient

This month, as we know, two of Manhattan's largest hospital systems, NYU Langone and Mount Sinai, reached agreements with the Department of Justice to end youth gender-affirming medical care.

I think we're all disappointed by this decision and by what they mean for these young people and families who relied on these institutions.

I'm also greatly concerned that we still do not have clarity on

the details of these settlements, including how the hospitals will ensure continuity of care for patients currently undergoing treatment.

Make no mistake, this is the result of the federal government uniquely obsessed with stopping transgender people from getting health care and stripping away their basic rights.

But as Dawn Gabriel, the mother of a 17-year-old whose records were included in the grand jury subpoena here in New York, told me, quote, in New York, we protect our children.

We don't feed them to the beast, especially for political convenience.

As access to this care declines, families need clear.

And accurate information about where the care is still available.

Council Member Shulman's bill, Intro 949, would require DOHMH to publish LGBTQ plus health and gender affirming care resources and maintain a searchable map of these health services.

I urge you

to consider and pass this legislation.

I also applaud the resolutions before you for Albany to act on similar measures.

But our work isn't finished.

I was glad to see the council commit $15 million to providers, but unfortunately, that's still not enough money

to cover the impending loss of Medicaid dollars.

So the city and the state need to do everything in our collective power to meet

these needs.

Thank you again to the council and the advocates in this room today who continue to fight for the right of transgender young people to live and thrive in New York.

And thank you for the opportunity to testify today.