Cuts to 9/11 Health Program Raise Concerns Over Delayed Care for Responders

Layoffs and funding reductions under the Trump administration threaten vital medical services for 9/11 survivors and first responders.

The World Trade Center Health Program, which provides care for over 130,000 responders and survivors of the 9/11 attacks, faces significant staff reductions and funding challenges.
Recent cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, have resulted in the termination of 20% of the program's workforce, including critical staff handling claims and certifications.
Democratic Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are demanding newly appointed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reverse the cuts, calling them a betrayal of 9/11 heroes.
Advocates warn that the cuts will lead to longer wait times, reduced services, and delays in health certifications required for compensation through the Victim Compensation Fund.
The program, mandated through 2090 by the Zadroga Act, has faced ongoing funding shortages, exacerbated by the loss of a permanent funding mechanism in late 2024.