President Trump Reinstates Head of World Trade Center Health Program Amid Staff Layoffs
In a response to bipartisan pressure, President Trump, alongside U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., has decided to reinstate John Howard, the head of the World Trade Center Health Program. However, concerns linger as 16 staff members from this vital program for 9/11 responders and survivors are facing layoffs.
On Saturday, Representative Andrew Garbarino (R-Long Island) announced that the Health and Human Services Department had reversed its earlier decision to terminate Howard, who manages the World Trade Center Health Program and certifies health conditions for those affected by the September 11 attacks. Advocates warned that Howard’s removal would have severely impacted the program’s operations.
Garbarino and other New York lawmakers quickly reached out to the White House, urging for Howard’s reinstatement. According to reports, he was reinstated on Friday.
Garbarino expressed gratitude for HHS’s prompt decision, stating, "The firing of Dr. Howard was a regrettable error, and we are thankful for his return as Administrator of this essential program. We appreciate the Administration’s ongoing support and look forward to collaborating on any remaining matters."
While Howard has been restored to his position, 16 out of the program’s 86 staff members have still been notified of their termination, primarily affecting employees based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Morgantown, West Virginia. The layoffs were first reported by Newsday.
Despite Howard’s reinstatement, HHS previously stated that no staff from the WTC Health Program would lose their jobs, raising concerns among advocates. Ben Chevet, executive director of Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act, praised the efforts of Congressman Garbarino but stressed that immediate care denials faced by program members were caused by the administration’s actions. Chevet claimed, "This is only one step forward. We need to address the ongoing denial of care that many responders and survivors face."
Secretary Kennedy assured in a recent interview that cuts to vital studies and staff positions would be reviewed and reinstated, yet many are still skeptical about the impact of the changes.
Lawmakers, both Republican and Democrat, have united in their outrage over the recent cuts and sent a letter to President Trump and Secretary Kennedy, demanding the restoration of essential services.
The World Trade Center Health Program is crucial for tens of thousands of responders and survivors who rely on it for treatment and monitoring of health issues caused by the toxins present after the 9/11 attacks. Cuts earlier this year had been reversed due to the advocacy of Republican lawmakers, leading to the reinstatement of two research grants and the jobs of 16 employees.
The program’s future has been uncertain since it faced threats under the previous Trump administration, which suggested reorganizing it under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Currently, it’s estimated that more than 400,000 individuals were impacted by toxic exposure at Ground Zero, with over 127,000 enrolled in the health program, and many suffering from illnesses related to their experiences during and after the attacks.
