Public Advocate Jumaane Williams urges expanded gender-affirming care access
Cabán turns to Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. Williams thanks the chairs and calls for expanding affirming care through public hospitals, school-based health centers, and community organizations, citing Local Laws 126 and 127 on patient rights and training.
And now I'm going to turn the mic over to Public Advocate Jumaane Williams to deliver some remarks.
Thank you very much.
As mentioned, my name is Jumaane Williams, Public Advocate of the City of New York.
I want to thank Chairs Caban, Ferrius, and Narcisse, and the members of the Mental Health and Substance Use, Women and Gender Equity, and Hospitals Committee for allowing me the opportunity to provide a statement.
New York City has to expand access to gender-affirming health care services through public hospital, school-based health centers, and community organizations serving LGBTQ plus youth.
In 2025, New York City enacted legislation that I was a sponsor of, Local Law 126 and Local Law 127, which required the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to create and distribute signs dealing with health care rights of transgender patients,
including preferred pronouns and respectful treatment, for display across city hospitals and report on training provided by hospitals regarding medical for transgender individuals, respectively.
The city should also strengthen provider training on culturally competent care, ensure insurance coverage for medically necessary treatments, and
and improve coordination between mental health and primary care services.
In addition, the city should continue protecting patient privacy and resisting efforts that could deter families from seeking care.
These recommendations align with my longstanding support for health care equity and accountability in public systems.
The intersection of LGBTQ plus identity in the modern health care system remains defined by systemic barriers and persistent health inequities.