(Source : New York Times) A group of New York-area Republican lawmakers has pushed back against President Trump’s cuts to the World Trade Center Health Program, which provides vital medical care for emergency workers and others affected by the 9/11 attacks. In a letter to Trump, the lawmakers—many of whom are Trump supporters—expressed concern that the cuts would harm the program’s ability to assist those suffering from illnesses caused by exposure to toxins at Ground Zero. The program had already been understaffed, and the recent layoffs, which included 16 staff members, have led to fears that delays in care could put lives at risk.
The cuts were part of a broader effort to reduce government spending under the Trump administration, but the move has faced strong criticism from both Democrats and Republicans in New York. Advocates argue that the cuts could worsen existing backlogs in patient enrollment and affect critical research on 9/11-related health conditions. The lawmakers have urged Trump to reverse the decision and restore funding for research aimed at proving that certain illnesses are linked to the attacks. The program, established by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, serves over 137,000 members, and its defenders warn that without proper funding, many sickened 9/11 responders may not receive the treatment they urgently need.
