Kennedy Restores Staffing at 9/11 Health Program Ahead of Capitol Hill Testimony
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has authorized the hiring for 37 long-vacant positions at the World Trade Center Health Program, restoring staffing to its federally authorized level of 120 employees. This decision comes just before his scheduled testimony on Capitol Hill and follows months of intense bipartisan criticism regarding severe staffing shortages that delayed care for approximately 140,000 first responders and survivors of the September 11 attacks. The program had been operating with only 83 staff members amidst a period of leadership upheaval and a hiring freeze, despite a significant increase in enrollees. Advocates and lawmakers from both parties welcomed the move as essential progress, noting that previous understaffing led to slower approval processes and longer wait times for individuals suffering from cancer and respiratory diseases linked to toxic exposure at Ground Zero. While expressing relief, some Democratic lawmakers criticized the administration for the unacceptable delays that undermined timely healthcare access. The restoration of staff is viewed as a critical step toward ensuring that 9/11 heroes receive the quality medical monitoring and treatment promised under the James Zadroga Act.
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Kennedy Restores Staffing at 9/11 Health Program Ahead of Capitol Hill Testimony
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has authorized the hiring for 37 long-vacant positions at the World Trade Center Health Program, restoring staffing to its federally authorized level of 120 employees. This decision comes just before his scheduled testimony on Capitol Hill and follows months of intense bipartisan criticism regarding severe staffing shortages that delayed care for approximately 140,000 first responders and survivors of the September 11 attacks. The program had been operating with only 83 staff members amidst a period of leadership upheaval and a hiring freeze, despite a significant increase in enrollees. Advocates and lawmakers from both parties welcomed the move as essential progress, noting that previous understaffing led to slower approval processes and longer wait times for individuals suffering from cancer and respiratory diseases linked to toxic exposure at Ground Zero. While expressing relief, some Democratic lawmakers criticized the administration for the unacceptable delays that undermined timely healthcare access. The restoration of staff is viewed as a critical step toward ensuring that 9/11 heroes receive the quality medical monitoring and treatment promised under the James Zadroga Act.
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