Trump Administration Reverses Cuts to 9/11 Health Program Following Bipartisan Backlash

NEW YORK — The Trump administration has reversed a controversial decision to eliminate staff positions within the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), restoring 16 employees to their jobs after strong bipartisan criticism from New York's political leaders and public health advocates. The reversal, finalized on May 6, comes weeks after the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative initially cut WTCHP staffing as part of broader federal workforce reductions. The program serves over 137,000 first responders and survivors affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, providing medical care and monitoring for illnesses linked to toxic exposure at Ground Zero and other sites.

Earlier this year, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced significant workforce reductions at various agencies under the DOGE restructuring plan, merging multiple federal entities to streamline operations and reduce costs by approximately $1.8 billion. Included in those cuts were critical WTCHP staff members such as medical specialists, scientists, and administrators who directly support healthcare and research efforts for 9/11 survivors. The reductions prompted concerns that patient care would be delayed or disrupted, leading to vocal opposition from both Democrats and Republicans in New York.

Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand immediately criticized the layoffs as harmful to the healthcare of 9/11 responders. In a joint statement, Schumer called the move an "dangerous and unacceptable for the thousands of 9/11 responders" and nation's obligations to them. Gillibrand emphasized that the WTCHP staff were crucial to preserving the health and wellbeing of tens of thousands of people suffering from chronic and often debilitating conditions caused by exposure to harmful substances.

The bipartisan backlash also included a multistate legal challenge led by New York Attorney General Letitia James and supported by attorneys general from several other states. The lawsuit sought to halt the broader HHS restructuring and argued the cuts were potentially unlawful due to their impact on critical public health programs, including the WTCHP.

Faced with growing political and legal pressure, the Trump administration announced the reinstatement of all affected WTCHP staff. Program Director Dr. John Howard, who had briefly lost his position under the restructuring, confirmed the return of personnel to Fox News Digital and reiterated the program’s commitment to providing uninterrupted care.

"We appreciate the department’s swift action to address these notices and return critical program staff to work to help assist and provide ongoing services," Howard said in a statement. "We’re ready to serve the more than 133,000 responders and survivors of the 9/11 attacks who are served by this program along with other critical programs in NIOSH." Advocates welcomed the reversal, noting the importance of maintaining consistent, specialized medical services for survivors who continue to face long-term health challenges.

The WTCHP was established under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 and reauthorized through 2090. Its funding has remained a bipartisan priority in Congress, receiving over $1.6 billion in appropriations since 2022. With staffing fully restored, lawmakers have indicated plans to closely monitor any future federal reorganization efforts to avoid similar disruptions.