By Erik Bascome
Staten Island Advance
NEW YORK 鈥� Planned cuts to a crucial 9/11 healthcare program have been reversed following a wave of backlash from New York鈥檚 elected officials.
The World Trade Center Health Program, which serves roughly 132,000 Americans impacted by the deadly terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, was set to receive significant funding and staffing cuts as the federal government continues its quest to reduce spending.
But Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R- Staten Island / South Brooklyn ) has announced that program will remain untouched following significant bipartisan pushback from legislators.
鈥淎s a native New Yorker, President Trump understands the importance of supporting first responders, 9/11 survivors and Ground Zero rescue workers. That鈥檚 why we anticipated and appreciated the White House鈥檚 decision to stop CDC cuts that would have reduced staffing at the World Trade Center Health Program and grants for 9/11 research, following our letter to the president earlier this week,鈥� Malliotakis said in a statement.
鈥淭his is a reminder of why, when looking for savings to reduce our nation鈥檚 $37 trillion debt, we need to use a scalpel not a sledgehammer鈥攖o avoid unintended consequences and unnecessary anxiety,鈥� the congresswoman continued.
The WTC Health Program is financially supported by the government through 2027 鈥� but funding beyond that year was excluded from a federal continuing resolution passed in December 2024.
The congresswoman said that she will continue working with her fellow federal legislators to ensure the program, which treats survivors and first responders for health conditions contracted in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, receives the funding it needs in the years to come.
鈥淢y New York colleagues and I will continue working in a bipartisan manner to ensure 9/11 heroes and survivors receive their benefits without interruption and that The Zadroga Act continues to be fully funded after 2027,鈥� Malliotakis said.
Malliotakis wasn鈥檛 the only New York elected official pushing to restore funding for the crucial program.
Earlier this week, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Kirstin Gillibrand (D-NY) penned a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr . imploring him to reverse course on the cuts.
鈥淚n our meetings with you prior to your confirmation as secretary, you committed to working with Congress to ensure that 9/11 first responders and survivors continue to get the care they need. We ask that you uphold your commitment by reversing the rash and counterproductive termination of the WTCHP staff and provide answers to how you will ensure continuity of care for WTCHP enrollees,鈥� the letter said.
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