New York – In a scathing rebuke, New York Attorney General Letitia James has denounced the Trump administration’s recent cuts to the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). This program, which has been instrumental in providing medical treatment for 9/11 survivors and first responders, faces significant staffing reductions following the elimination of critical staff from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
“When our country was attacked, thousands of New Yorkers put their lives on the line to save others, and they deserve the care that we’ve fought for over these last 24 years. The Trump administration’s decision to continuously jeopardize the World Trade Center Health Program is a cruel betrayal of our heroes,” James stated.
The WTCHP, established in 2011, serves more than 132,000 individuals affected by the tragic attacks. In February, the administration attempted to buyout federal employees and mass-fire probationary civil service staff, resulting in significant cuts at the WTCHP. Although these cuts were temporarily reversed after James and others spoke out, the recent decision to cut over 10,000 staff members from HHS has once again put WTCHP services in jeopardy.
Among those fired from HHS were Dr. John Howard, the WTCHP administrator, and nearly all staff at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, which plays a crucial role in overseeing and supporting the WTCHP. These actions have caused alarm among healthcare professionals and survivors alike, who fear that the loss of these key personnel will severely compromise the care provided to those affected by the attacks.
Attorney General James has called for an immediate reversal of these cuts and the full protection of the World Trade Center Health Program. “These cuts must be reversed, and the World Trade Center Health Program must be protected,” she emphasized.
RELATED: Trump Admin Slams Blue States with $8B Energy Funding Cuts
RELATED: NY AG Sues Trump Admin Over Offshore Wind Project Halts
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: NY AG
- Category: Public Corruption|Healthcare
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More