Protect the 9/11 Community: Restore World Trade Center Health Program Funding

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk, and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services have made significant budget cuts. These cuts have resulted in the disbandment of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the firing of sixteen doctors and nurses at the already understaffed World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program. The Health Program’s dedicated medical specialists were directly responsible for enrollment and certification of 9/11 illnesses (i.e. cancer). This is an assault on and a breach of the promise made to the 9/11 community, especially for those who have been diagnosed with cancer and other illnesses.

We are going back to Washington next week, joining a coalition of 9/11 community members, labor unions, the UFA, UFOA, PBA, and other uniform and non-uniform unions, including FealGood Foundation President John Feal. We will be demanding that Congress remembers its pledge to “Never Forget” the victims and survivors of 9/11 when it created, permanently extended and fully funded both the Health Program and the Victim Compensation Fund in 2019. The cuts must be reversed and the Health Program must be fully funded, once and for all!

This is not a political issue. This is a humanity issue. This is not a New York issue. This is an issue that affects people nationwide. Both Democrats and Republicans, all across the country, were exposed to the same toxins when they responded. Tens of thousands of downtown office workers and students have since moved to all 50 states. They are being diagnosed with and dying from the same 9/11 illnesses as New York City firefighters and cops. If the Health Program is not fully funded and staffed, more people will die because of this bureaucratic cruelty.

​​​The magnitude of these cuts to the 9/11 community is enormous and the administration must be made aware of this. We are hopeful that advocacy will convince the Trump administration and Congress to do the right thing and reverse these cuts. 

You can help our advocacy efforts now by contacting your Representatives in Congress to urge them to reverse the recent budget cuts and support the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2025 (S.739/H.R.1410).

Make sure to identify yourself as a resident of their Congressional district. 

Michael Barasch and John Feal have spoken with dozens of major media outlets, including FOX 5 New York.

Below, watch highlights of Michael and John on FOX, discussing how the layoffs threaten the lives of the 9/11 community. Hopefully, their talking points will help you when you call your Representatives.