More than 200 clinicians from across New York State penned an open letter calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to immediately sign legislation into law that would strengthen the state’s shield laws to protect both providers and patients of gender-affirming care from out-of-state prosecution at a time when providers have faced hostility from the Trump administration and dozens of states have moved to restrict care for trans youth.
“Since January 2025, we have been doing everything we can to counter the relentless wave of federal and state-level actions seeking to restrict, defund, criminalize, and ban gender-affirming care,” stated the letter, which was addressed to the governor. “But the truth is, our current tools are not enough; without stronger legal protections, our patients, and the care they depend on remain at risk.”
