HHS plans to refill World Trade Center Health Program staff
The department told lawmakers in April it would rehire 37 employees to reach a total of 120 positions after federal cuts left survivors waiting for care.
By Emily Lawson ·
The World Trade Center Health Program is set to fully staff up to 120 total positions, according to information the Department of Health and Human Services provided to lawmakers in April. This expansion involves the rehiring of 37 employees who were previously let go.
The move comes after the Department of Government Efficiency implemented staffing cuts earlier this year that critics say hollowed out the program’s workforce. Advocates argue those reductions created a backlog of claims for 9/11 survivors. The delays have forced patients to wait longer for medical screenings and cancer treatments.
HHS confirmed the approval to reach the 120-person cap through the rehiring process. The department did not specify a timeline for when the new hires will begin their duties. The program was originally designed to cover serious health issues linked to the attacks.
Federal officials have not addressed the specific volume of pending claims currently in the system. Survivors who filed for benefits during the period of reduced staffing remain part of the caseload. The program’s budget and operational scope remain unchanged by the recent staffing decisions.
Source: WSMV-TV
