HHS Reverses Staffing Cuts at World Trade Center Health Program
The Department of Health and Human Services has reversed a staffing reduction at the World Trade Center Health Program, which provides medical care to 9/11 first responders and survivors. Officials in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention informed New York lawmakers this week that the program received approval to hire 37 additional employees to reach 120 full-time workers. The program has
alternet.orgThe Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has reversed a staffing reduction at the World Trade Center Health Program. The program provides medical care to first responders and survivors of the September 11, 2001, attacks. New York lawmakers had raised concerns about the cuts.
Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) this week that the program received approval to hire 37 more employees. This brings the total to a goal of 120 full-time workers.
The decision followed inquiries from New York senators.
Program Background and Recent Challenges The World Trade Center Health Program addresses health needs resulting from exposure to toxins at the attack sites.
More than 30,000 first responders and survivors have enrolled in the program over the last three years to receive care. After a presidential return to the White House, the program's staff fell to 84 due to a hiring freeze that lasted until last October.
The staffing shortages led to delays in claims processing, disruptions in treatment authorizations, and backlogs in appeals for enrollment denials.
Some participants waited up to a year for resolutions. Additionally, $20 million in research contracts to study cardiac, autoimmune, and cognitive issues related to 9/11 toxic exposure were delayed. New York senators sent a letter on March 23 to the HHS Secretary expressing concern about staff firings and reassignments.
The letter noted that not all fired staff were rehired, and several individuals were reassigned to other agencies, including at least two public health service corps officers. One reassignment involved support for HHS health care work related to immigration enforcement.
Funding and Reversal Details In February, Congress passed a $3 billion funding bill to address a budget shortfall for the program.
The bill was signed into law in early February. The staffing reversal aims to restore capacity ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks in seven months. >"9/11 first responders and survivors put their lives on the line when our nation was in its darkest hour.
" — Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) (New York Post) The program continues to monitor and treat illnesses linked to 9/11 exposures. Future hiring will help reduce backlogs and support ongoing research and care delivery.
Story Timeline
5 events- This week (April 2026)
CDC officials informed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand that the program received approval to hire 37 more employees.
1 sourceNew York Post - March 23, 2026
New York senators sent a letter to HHS Secretary expressing concerns about staff firings and reassignments.
1 sourceNew York Post - Early February 2026
A $3 billion funding bill for the program was signed into law.
1 sourceNew York Post - October 2025
Hiring freeze affecting the program's staff was lifted.
1 sourceNew York Post - Post-2025 presidential inauguration
Program's staff fell to 84 due to hiring freeze.
1 sourceNew York Post
Potential Impact
- 01
Enhanced medical care access for over 30,000 program participants.
- 02
Restoration of research contracts studying toxic exposure health effects.
- 03
Reduced delays in claims processing and treatment authorizations for 9/11 survivors.
- 04
Improved capacity to handle enrollment appeals and backlogs before 25th anniversary.
- 05
Potential rehiring of some previously fired staff members.
Transparency Panel
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