More than 23 years after the collapse of the Twin Towers, the number of individuals diagnosed with 9/11-related illnesses continues to rise. The World Trade Center Health Program, active since 2011, provides coverage for various ailments, including cancer, asthma, and PTSD. As of December, 132,000 people were enrolled, with 64% having at least one related condition; cancer is the most prevalent, affecting over 40,000 members.
Recent staffing cuts within the program have raised alarms among advocates and legal representatives for first responders and survivors. The Trump administration’s terminations of staff, including significant layoffs at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), jeopardized member enrollment and treatment coverage. Advocates warn that these reductions could delay critical diagnoses and treatments, potentially costing lives. Todd Cleckley, a nurse specialist, highlighted the risks of delayed treatments for cancers known to require prompt action.
Despite bipartisan outcry that led to the interim reinstatement of some staff members, subsequent layoffs impeded program operations. Advocates indicated that since April, no new enrollments were processed, disrupting the typical month-to-month enrollment of around 200 individuals. Current members face anxiety about receiving timely treatments, and concerns have risen regarding reimbursement for essential services like chemotherapy due to staffing shortages.
The program has been vulnerable to budget constraints, and Congress did not secure long-term funding in a recent spending deal. Without additional financial support, the program may need to limit enrollments or scale back treatments by 2028. A bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate aims to secure necessary funding until 2090, with advocates pushing for both the restoration of terminated staff and legislative support.
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