Latest news with #ZadrogaAct
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
9/11 responders are facing life-threatening delays in cancer treatment after Trump slashed health care funding
On 9/11, first responders rushed to help. Unfortunately, their own lives were being put in jeopardy as they breathed in asbestos, benzene and other toxic dust at Ground Zero, increasing their cancer risk. Years later, the Zadroga Act was passed to care for these first responders. It created the federally funded World Trade Center Health Program under the umbrella of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The program provides lifetime monitoring and treatment to responders, 150,000 of whom were enrolled as of 2025, reports ABC News, (up from 76,000 in 2015). The program has been a great success, with New York City Fire Department (FDNY) data revealing 86% of participants are still alive five years after a cancer diagnosis compared with 66% of patients diagnosed but not part of it. A bill had even been introduced to provide additional funding. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Unfortunately, the program is no longer working as intended, due to uncertainty created by the Trump administration — and this will have consequences. "This is a program with zero fraud that only does one thing: It saves lives," Michael Barasch, partner at Barasch & McGarry, a law firm representing thousands of first responders and 9/11 survivors, told ABC News. "Mark my words: People will die without it." The normal operation of the World Trade Center Health Program has been interrupted as the Trump administration continues to alter staffing levels. Early in 2025, there was a 20% staffing cut, with 16 doctors and nurses losing their jobs, ABC News reported. NIOSH director, Dr. John Howard was also taken out of his position as administrator. Then, many of the terminated workers saw their jobs reinstated in February, although it wasn't clear if Howard's position had been restored or not, despite the doctor requesting an official decision. In April, another round of layoffs hit 15 employees. However, this has also now been reversed, with the administration going a step beyond previous reinstatements because the new letter sent to workers made clear the termination was canceled entirely. In the past, many workers were only brought back temporarily to train replacements. While the reinstatements are good news, they don't undo the damage done or the future uncertainty. Read more: You're probably already overpaying for this 1 'must-have' expense — and thanks to Trump's tariffs, your monthly bill could soar even higher. Here's how 2 minutes can protect your wallet right now Workers may be back on the job soon, but disastrous things happened while they were off. "We postponed chemotherapy for a firefighter this week, hoping this could be fixed," Dr. David Prezant, chief medical officer of the FDNY and director of its World Trade Center Health Program told ABC News. "He's too young for Medicare, and this delay may cost him his life." This firefighter was one of three who had treatment interrupted, putting them all at risk since every moment can count when it comes to fighting cancer. Unfortunately, many people have also been denied the opportunity to start treatment, as they aren't eligible to begin until their illness is certified as being caused by exposure on 9/11. The certification must be signed by Howard, and an internal Department of Health and Human Services newsletter shared with ABC explained that the program had "been directed not to process any new certifications." Prezant told ABC that this a clear sign Howard hadn't actually been reinstated, and explained that while clinics found a workaround and started treating some patients under initial approvals while awaiting certification, this loophole was recently shut down. This pause on enrollment will affect 9/11 first responders throughout the country, and Barasch thinks lawmakers are simply unaware of how big the scope is. "People in all 50 states are enrolled in the program. Thousands of them no longer live near the original attack sites. They need care where they are," he explained. If the latest staff reinstatements last, this could provide opportunities for responders nationwide to get the help they need. Further, despite the chaos, there is reason for optimism in the long term as the Trump administration insists it doesn't want to end the World Trade Center Health Program, nor does it intend to end other critical functions NIOSH performs. "Those programs were not terminated, as the media has reported. But they've simply been consolidated into a place that makes more sense," Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a recent interview, explaining they would be merged into a newly-created agency dubbed the Administration for a Healthy America. Other programs that were on the chopping block have also been granted at least a temporary reprieve, with some food safety workers at various FDA labs also receiving notification that recent layoffs had been reversed. Still, since the Trump administration has already gone through multiple hiring and firing cycles, it remains unclear how safe any of these NIOSH operations have a stable future. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
New York Post
14-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Survivors, advocates challenge Trump admin to rescue 9/11 health program: ‘We're starting to feel forgotten'
Advocates for 9/11 first responders are challenging the Trump administration to stabilize the embattled World Trade Center Health Program, warning bureaucratic dysfunction could have deadly consequences. The plea came as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s was expected to testify before a Senate committee on Wednesday, with survivors and advocates calling on the secretary of Health and Human Services to defend the life-saving program. 4 Advocates say the World Trade Center Health Program, which provides 137,000 responders and survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, needs critical funding and an end to bureaucratic dysfunction. Matthew McDermott for NY Post Advertisement At the heart of the crisis, they said, is a cascade of funding shortfalls and administrative chaos that has left cancer patients in limbo and new enrollees shut out. Meanwhile experienced doctors were fired — then reinstated — in a series of reversals led by the White House and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. The turmoil has violated the trust of hundreds of thousands of 9/11 survivors, advocates said. The program provides medical treatment and research for more than 142,000 responders and survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks across all 50 states. Advertisement 'This program was saving lives,' said Michael Barasch, an attorney who represents scores of 9/11 responders and survivors, including the family of the late Detective James Zadroga, after whom the landmark Zadroga Act was named. 4 FDNY Chief Richard Alles (second from left), a cancer survivor and 9/11 first responder, will join others in Washington, D.C., this week to on RFK Jr. and the Trump administration to restore the health program's funding and staffing. Courtesy of Richard Alles In February, roughly 20% of the health program's staff were let go, triggering service delays that have since worsened, organizers said. Just last Friday, 16 more staffers, including experienced doctors, were abruptly fired—only to be reportedly reinstated days later. But advocates said these moves have done little to rebuild confidence. Advertisement The turmoil comes amid wider efforts by the Trump administration to slash federal workforce spending. 'We don't know what's going on,' Barasch said. 'We're not getting any straight answers at all. [program director Dr. John] Howard may have been reinstated, but it doesn't mean anything unless it's permanent and written.' 4 Michael Barasch, an attorney for the family of the late Detective James Zadroga and scores of other 9/11 survivors, says the program will need $3 billion in funding to continue care. Courtesy of Michael Barasch 'Already before these cuts, the health program was short-staffed,' Barasch said. Advertisement NIOSH, the federal agency overseeing the program, now recognizes 69 cancers linked to 9/11 exposure. Yet in April, for the first time in the program's history, no new members were enrolled, according to organizers. For those already in the system, delays have become the norm. 'It used to take four months to get an appointment,' Barasch said. 'Now it's going to take eight. And in the world of cancer treatment, time matters.' Barasch and retired FDNY Chief Richard Alles, a cancer survivor, 9/11 first responder, and prominent voice for the program, will join others in Washington, DC this week, to ca;; on RFK Jr. and the Trump administration to take permanent action to restore the health program's funding and staffing. Alles, who credits the program with detecting his prostate cancer early, warned that the fallout goes beyond bureaucracy. 'My phone rings off the hook with people terrified they're going to lose their care. Most responders have PTSD, and all of these people who are dealing with cancer. It's a stressor for these people,' Alles said. 4 Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to testify before a Senate committee on Wednesday. AP Advocates say the program's collapse is due in large part to a budgeting formula tied to the Consumer Price Index, which hasn't kept pace with rising healthcare costs. Two bills — H.R. 1410 and S.739 — are under consideration in Congress to seek an additional $3 billion to keep the program running. Advertisement Alles referred to the day President Trump signed a bill in 2019 to permanently fund the Victim Compensation Fund until 2090, the 'highlight of my professional career.' 'It was a drop the mic moment…. And now to be back to fight to save the World Trade Center health program, which was always the most important. To witness its collapse without fighting to save it. I couldn't do it. So I'm brought back into a fight that I thought was over. 'I know there's a myriad of issues going on everywhere, but nothing is more important than this issue for our country because it's, you know, 'never forget', but we're starting to feel forgotten.' Advocates worry the health of 9/11 heroes is being sidelined, despite the 'bipartisan' nature of the program. Advertisement 'That toxic dust didn't care if you were a Democrat or a Republican,' Barasch said and added a plea. 'Don't touch this program. Don't turn your back on the people who ran into those buildings. Fix this. Now.'
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Maine Attorney General part of coalition suit against RFK Jr., Trump administration
A coalition of attorneys general launched a federal lawsuit against U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the agency he leads to halt mass layoffs and reverse the reorganization under the Trump administration's 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative. (Photo by) Twenty attorneys general filed a lawsuit Monday in U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island in Providence to stop U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the agency he leads from dismantling key public health programs. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha is one of three co-leaders challenging the Trump administration's mass layoff of 10,000 HHS employees under its 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative. The 101-page complaint claims the mass layoff has left HHS unable to perform its statutory functions of protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of Americans. The other co-leaders are New York Attorney General Letitia James and Washington Attorney General Nick Brown. They are joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. After termination notices went out to HHS employees on April 1, the complaint states employees were immediately expelled from their work email, laptops, and offices. Five of HHS's 10 regional offices were closed, including Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York City, San Francisco and Seattle. 'There was no one to answer the phone, factories went into shutdown mode, experiments were abandoned, trainings were cancelled, site visits were postponed, application portals were closed, laboratories stopped testing for infectious diseases such as hepatitis, and partnerships were immediately suspended,' the complaint states. As a result, the Food and Drug Administration missed a vaccine application deadline and canceled a critical test for the bird flu virus. The World Trade Center Health Program had no doctors to certify new illnesses for coverage, a necessary part of caring for the responders and survivors of the 9/11 attacks under the Zadroga Act. Programs aimed at monitoring maternal and newborn health were shuttered. Office closures and layoffs at Head Start and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program left grantees 'abandoned with no one to answer their questions.' The World Trade Center Health Program had no doctors to certify new illnesses for coverage, a necessary part of caring for the responders and survivors of the 9/11 attacks. Programs aimed at monitoring maternal and newborn health were abruptly shuttered. 'Americans across the country are already experiencing the detrimental effects of this attack on HHS including new mothers, workers, 9/11 first responders, and those suffering from mental illness and substance use disorder,' Neronha said in a statement. 'Think about that for a minute: American heroes, pregnant women, workers, those in need of mental health treatment; all left to fend for themselves by these reckless cuts. This attack on HHS tells you everything you need to know about the priorities of this Administration; and they don't include the health of you or your family.' Rhode Island has already lost over $1.9 million in grants, staff, programs and data, according to Neronha's office, and stands to lose more in grants, staff, programs, and data. State health programs and initiatives already eliminated or negatively impacted without the support of HHS funding and staff include maternal mortality studies and prevention; treatment for nicotine and alcohol addiction; air quality monitoring. The 20 attorneys general argue that the sweeping actions at HHS violated hundreds of federal statutes and regulations. They argued that by taking these actions without congressional approval, the administration disregarded the constitutional separation of powers and undermined the laws and budgets enacted by Congress. The coalition is asking the court to halt the mass firings, reverse the illegal reorganization, and restore the critical health services serving millions of Americans. The case has been assigned to District Judge Melissa R. DuBose and Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan. Neronha also joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general in filing an April 1 lawsuit in Providence federal court against Kennedy and the Trump administration for abruptly and unlawfully slashing billions of dollars in vital state health funding. District Judge Mary S. McElroy issued a temporary restraining order against the administration on April 5, temporarily reinstating the funding. This story was originally published by Rhode Island Current. Like Maine Morning Star, Rhode Island Current is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Rhode Island Current maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janine L. Weisman for questions: info@ SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Coalition of AGs sues Trump administration over health program cuts
A coalition of attorneys general has filed a federal lawsuit against U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the agency he leads to halt mass layoffs and reverse the reorganization under the Trump administration's 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative. (Photo by) Twenty attorneys general filed a lawsuit Monday in U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island in Providence to stop U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the agency he leads from dismantling key public health programs. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha is one of three co-leaders challenging the Trump administration's mass layoff of 10,000 HHS employees under its 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative. The 101-page complaint claims the mass layoff has left HHS unable to perform its statutory functions of protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of Americans. The other co-leaders are New York Attorney General Letitia James and Washington Attorney General Nick Brown. They are joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. After termination notices went out to HHS employees on April 1, the complaint states employees were immediately expelled from their work email, laptops, and offices. Five of HHS's 10 regional offices were closed, including Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York City, San Francisco and Seattle. 'There was no one to answer the phone, factories went into shutdown mode, experiments were abandoned, trainings were cancelled, site visits were postponed, application portals were closed, laboratories stopped testing for infectious diseases such as hepatitis, and partnerships were immediately suspended,' the complaint states. As a result, the Food and Drug Administration missed a vaccine application deadline and canceled a critical test for the bird flu virus. The World Trade Center Health Program had no doctors to certify new illnesses for coverage, a necessary part of caring for the responders and survivors of the 9/11 attacks under the Zadroga Act. Programs aimed at monitoring maternal and newborn health were shuttered. Office closures and layoffs at Head Start and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program left grantees 'abandoned with no one to answer their questions.' The World Trade Center Health Program had no doctors to certify new illnesses for coverage, a necessary part of caring for the responders and survivors of the 9/11 attacks. Programs aimed at monitoring maternal and newborn health were abruptly shuttered. 'Americans across the country are already experiencing the detrimental effects of this attack on HHS including new mothers, workers, 9/11 first responders, and those suffering from mental illness and substance use disorder,' Neronha said in a statement. 'Think about that for a minute: American heroes, pregnant women, workers, those in need of mental health treatment; all left to fend for themselves by these reckless cuts. This attack on HHS tells you everything you need to know about the priorities of this Administration; and they don't include the health of you or your family.' Rhode Island has already lost over $1.9 million in grants, staff, programs and data, according to Neronha's office, and stands to lose more in grants, staff, programs, and data. State health programs and initiatives already eliminated or negatively impacted without the support of HHS funding and staff include maternal mortality studies and prevention; treatment for nicotine and alcohol addiction; air quality monitoring. The 20 attorneys general argue that the sweeping actions at HHS violated hundreds of federal statutes and regulations. They argued that by taking these actions without congressional approval, the administration disregarded the constitutional separation of powers and undermined the laws and budgets enacted by Congress. The coalition is asking the court to halt the mass firings, reverse the illegal reorganization, and restore the critical health services serving millions of Americans. The case has been assigned to District Judge Melissa R. DuBose and Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan. Neronha also joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general in filing an April 1 lawsuit in Providence federal court against Kennedy and the Trump administration for abruptly and unlawfully slashing billions of dollars in vital state health funding. District Judge Mary S. McElroy issued a temporary restraining order against the administration on April 5, temporarily reinstating the funding. This article was first published by Rhode Island Current, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Rhode Island Current maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janine L. Weisman for questions: info@
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Neronha co-leads AG coalition suit against RFK Jr., Trump administration
Rhode Island is co-leading a federal lawsuit against U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the agency he leads to halt mass layoffs and reverse the reorganization under the Trump administration's 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative. (Photo by) Twenty attorneys general filed a lawsuit Monday in U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island in Providence to stop U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the agency he leads from dismantling key public health programs. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha is one of three co-leaders challenging the Trump administration's mass layoff of 10,000 HHS employees under its 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative. The 101-page complaint claims the mass layoff has left HHS unable to perform its statutory functions of protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of Americans. The other co-leaders are New York Attorney General Letitia James and Washington Attorney General Nick Brown. They are joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. After termination notices went out to HHS employees on April 1, the complaint states employees were immediately expelled from their work email, laptops, and offices. Five of HHS's 10 regional offices were closed, including Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York City, San Francisco and Seattle. 'There was no one to answer the phone, factories went into shutdown mode, experiments were abandoned, trainings were cancelled, site visits were postponed, application portals were closed, laboratories stopped testing for infectious diseases such as hepatitis, and partnerships were immediately suspended,' the complaint states. As a result, the Food and Drug Administration missed a vaccine application deadline and canceled a critical test for the bird flu virus. The World Trade Center Health Program had no doctors to certify new illnesses for coverage, a necessary part of caring for the responders and survivors of the 9/11 attacks under the Zadroga Act. Programs aimed at monitoring maternal and newborn health were shuttered. Office closures and layoffs at Head Start and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program left grantees 'abandoned with no one to answer their questions.' The World Trade Center Health Program had no doctors to certify new illnesses for coverage, a necessary part of caring for the responders and survivors of the 9/11 attacks. Programs aimed at monitoring maternal and newborn health were abruptly shuttered. 'Americans across the country are already experiencing the detrimental effects of this attack on HHS including new mothers, workers, 9/11 first responders, and those suffering from mental illness and substance use disorder,' Neronha said in a statement. 'Think about that for a minute: American heroes, pregnant women, workers, those in need of mental health treatment; all left to fend for themselves by these reckless cuts. This attack on HHS tells you everything you need to know about the priorities of this Administration; and they don't include the health of you or your family.' Rhode Island has already lost over $1.9 million in grants, staff, programs and data, according to Neronha's office, and stands to lose more in grants, staff, programs, and data. State health programs and initiatives already eliminated or negatively impacted without the support of HHS funding and staff include maternal mortality studies and prevention; treatment for nicotine and alcohol addiction; air quality monitoring. The 20 attorneys general argue that the sweeping actions at HHS violated hundreds of federal statutes and regulations. They argued that by taking these actions without congressional approval, the administration disregarded the constitutional separation of powers and undermined the laws and budgets enacted by Congress. The coalition is asking the court to halt the mass firings, reverse the illegal reorganization, and restore the critical health services serving millions of Americans. The case has been assigned to District Judge Melissa R. DuBose and Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan. Neronha also joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general in filing an April 1 lawsuit in Providence federal court against Kennedy and the Trump administration for abruptly and unlawfully slashing billions of dollars in vital state health funding. District Judge Mary S. McElroy issued a temporary restraining order against the administration on April 5, temporarily reinstating the funding. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
