9/11 Health Program Funding Cut in Federal Budget, Advocates Demand Restoration

Congressional budget negotiations exclude funding for the World Trade Center Health Program, leaving care for thousands of 9/11 responders and survivors in jeopardy.

The World Trade Center Health Program, which serves over 130,000 9/11 responders and survivors, faces a funding shortfall after being excluded from the federal spending bill passed last week.
The program, initially funded through the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, was believed to have secured permanent funding but now risks rationing care by 2027 without additional resources.
Advocates, including FDNY union leaders, criticized the decision and vowed to continue pushing for restored funding when Congress reconvenes in 2025.
The funding removal followed opposition from Elon Musk and Donald Trump, which derailed a bipartisan agreement and forced changes to the stopgap spending bill to avoid a government shutdown.
New York officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul and Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, have condemned the cuts and pledged to fight for the program's future.