Archive of News
HHS layoffs include head of the World Trade Center Health Program
John Howard, administrator of the World Trade Center Health Program, lost his job under the sweeping layoffs that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ordered across U.S. health agencies.
Legislation to extend benefits for 9/11 responders, survivors introduced
The 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2025 would update the program’s “funding formula” to ensure it would be funded through its duration, which is set to expire in 2090.
‘A cruel April Fool’s joke’: HHS layoffs characterized by confusion, errors
The HHS’ reduction in force, which agency head Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ordered last week, began on Tuesday. It was a mess, according to many sources who worked across the large federal health department.
‘It Is Revolting’: Schumer Torches RFK Jr. After Firings At 9/11 World Trade Center Health Program
During remarks on the Senate floor Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke about the Trump Administration overseeing layoffs at the World Trade Center Health Program.
Schumer, Gillibrand Slam New Trump Cuts That Will Devastate World Trade Center Health Program
“This is the third time in four months that Trump has pulled the rug out from 9/11 survivors and their families in the World Trade Center Health Program. These instances are not ‘mistakes,’—but rather in purpose and it is outrageous and beyond the pale.”
‘Delay and deny care’ to 9/11 survivors. Trump HHS cuts World Trade Center Program staff
The cuts, advocates and New York officials said, will cripple the program’s ability to adequately monitor and provide care to survivors of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
WTC Health Program must be saved: Firing of leader Dr. John Howard and others must be reversed
Now there’s a health program for the 9/11 responders and survivors without any doctors and with no one in charge. Way to go RFK Jr.!
Trump, RFK JR. job cuts gut World Trade Center health program, paralyze care
Tens of thousands of responders and survivors rely on the WTC Health Program to get treatment and medication and monitor injuries and illnesses caused by the toxins that swirled around Ground Zero on 9/11 and the weeks that followed.
Garbarino: World Trade Center Health Program administrator fired
A spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Andrew Garbarino confirmed late Tuesday that Dr. John Howard, the administrator of the World Trade Center Health Program, had been let go.
Statement From Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act on the Trump Administration Firing of Dr. John Howard, Director of NIOSH and Administrator of the World Trade Center Health Program, Along With Nearly All the Staff of NIOSH
Doctor Howard needs to be rehired as NIOSH Director, and these cuts need to be restored.