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Health department supports transgender‑affirming care goals but says it cannot force hospital signage or training disclosures
Summary
DOHMH told the City Council it supports the intent of bills to improve transgender and gender‑nonconforming patient care but said it cannot require hospitals to post signage or provide training reports because hospitals are regulated by the New York State Department of Health.
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene told the City Council Committee on Health that it supports policies to improve care for transgender and gender‑nonconforming New Yorkers but cautioned that the city department does not have regulatory authority to compel hospitals to post signage about patient rights or to produce reports about hospital training programs.
Dr. Zahira McNatt, DOHMH deputy commissioner for the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness, said the department supports the intent of Intro. 628 (hospital signage on preferred names, titles, gender and pronouns) and Intro. 629 (a report on hospital training) but explained that "hospitals are regulated by the New York State Department of Health and not by the New York City Department of Health," so the city department cannot require hospital postings.
McNatt told the committee that DOHMH operates city clinics that provide low‑cost sexual health services and other care frequently used by LGBTQ and TGNC residents, that the agency publishes a New York City health map listing affirming providers, and that the city has an "LGBTQ health care bill of rights" available to patients and providers. She also described DOHMH trainings developed in partnership with community consultants, including a cultural competency training for department clinic staff co‑developed with TransEquity Consulting and the New York City Unity Project.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and other council members pressed DOHMH on whether the proposed signage and reporting would be useful to patients attempting to find affirming care. DOHMH said it is willing to support awareness efforts and to help publicize existing resources, but reiterated that requiring hospital postings would likely require state authority.
Advocates at the hearing said signage and clearer training disclosures would make it easier for transgender New Yorkers to find and trust clinical care settings. DOHMH offered to work with council offices and advocates on public awareness tools and on the city’s provider directory to make affirming care easier to locate.
