The decision-making process for certifying treatments for new cancers and other conditions will face delays due to recent firings and layoffs, Benjamin Chevat from Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act informed ABC News. Furthermore, assessments on current applications to broaden coverage to autoimmune and cardiac conditions will also be postponed, resulting in reduced capacity to address issues related to prescriptions and treatments, Chevat added.
“We find it hard to believe that the Trump administration or the new HHS Secretary, Robert Kennedy Jr., would intentionally harm 9/11 responders and survivors enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program, but unfortunately, that may be the consequence of these budget cuts,” Chevat expressed.
In a letter addressed to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., New York Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer urged for the reinstatement of funds. ” ‘Never forget’ is not merely a motto – it is a solemn vow to always support 9/11 heroes, a vow being broken by reducing funding and essential personnel for their healthcare within the World Trade Center Health Program. This is unacceptable and un-American,” Schumer stated in conjunction with Gillibrand. “Labeling funding for 9/11 first responders as government waste is both outrageous and disrespectful.”
“These severe cuts will lead to layoffs for dedicated staff members who have devoted their careers to caring for our 9/11 survivors. It will result in delayed care for our unwell first responders. It sends a message to 9/11 survivors that after risking everything for our safety, we are unable to meet their healthcare requirements,” the joint statement continued.
New York Republicans (and one from New Jersey) have also expressed “grave concerns” in a critical letter to Trump, imploring the president to ensure that any reductions in HHS staffing will not undermine the critical functions of the World Trade Center Health Program.
The legislators voiced apprehension regarding terminated probationary employees at HHS who worked on the WTC health program, as well as research grants that have been impacted by the cuts.
“To honor our ethical duty to 9/11 survivors and responders, we must guarantee that the Program not only receives the essential resources but is also managed effectively to provide Program members with the high-quality care they require and deserve. We appeal to you, as a New York native who resided in the city during its recovery from the 9/11 attacks, to reverse these decisions by rehiring the dismissed probationary staff, reinstating the canceled FDNY research grant contract, and safeguarding the WTC Health Program, which was designated as mandatory spending by statute, from any further staffing and budgetary reductions.”
The letter was endorsed by New York Republican Representatives Andrew Garbarino, Mike Lawler, Nick LaLota, Claudia Tenney, Nicole Malliotakis, Nick Langworthy, and Chris Smith of New Jersey.
Established in 2011 as part of the Zadroga Act
In a recent statement, Senator Gillibrand expressed deep concern over the repercussions of slashing funding and laying off workers responsible for running a critical program that offers necessary care to sick responders and survivors. She emphasized that such actions would severely hinder the program’s ability to deliver essential services. Gillibrand condemned the potential impact on the heroes who courageously risked their lives during one of the nation’s darkest hours to rebuild the community. She asserted that these proposed cuts and terminations are a betrayal to those who selflessly stepped up in the aftermath of the tragic events. Urging immediate action, Gillibrand called upon HHS Secretary Kennedy to overturn the decisions swiftly. The New York Republicans also criticized President Trump for the CDC cuts affecting 9/11 responders, as reported on abcnews.go.com.
