By I. Edwards HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
\n<\/b><\/p>\n
THURSDAY, April 3, 2025 (HealthDay News) — The longtime leader of a federal health program for 9\/11 survivors and first responders has been fired, worrying many advocates and lawmakers.<\/p>\n
The program serves more than 100,000 people.<\/p>\n
Dr. John Howard<\/a>, head of the World Trade Center Health Program, lost his job during a wave of government job cuts<\/a> ordered by U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Trump administration says these cuts are part of efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce.<\/p>\n The program is run by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), where Howard also served as director.<\/p>\n While the program\u2019s 86 full-time staff were not affected, hundreds of NIOSH employees were let go — including many doctors and scientists who supported the program for years, The Washington Post <\/em>reported.<\/p>\n Advocates say these cuts could hurt the program\u2019s ability to care for sick responders and survivors.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just wrong that we are spending time and energy on this,\u201d Benjamin Chevat<\/a>, an advocate for 9\/11 survivors and first responders who helped create the program, told The Post<\/em>. \u201cIt could have been avoided if they had spent 10 minutes calling Dr. Howard up.\u201d<\/p>\n An HHS spokesperson did not comment directly on Howard\u2019s removal, but said the program\u2019s work will continue.<\/p>\n \u201cHHS\u2019 reorganization will allow the program to better serve these individuals in a more efficient way,\u201d spokesperson Vianca Rodriguez Feliciano<\/a> said.<\/p>\n Rep. Andrew Garbarino<\/a> of New York met with White House officials to express concern. \u201cThey understand that this is a top priority and are treating it with a sense of urgency,\u201d Garbarino said.<\/p>\n Sens. Charles Schumer<\/a> and Kirsten Gillibrand<\/a> of New York also expressed their concerns.<\/p>\n \u201cSlashing staff who are essential to the operation of the World Trade Center Health Program will devastate our ability to provide sick responders and survivors with the care they need,\u201d Gillibrand said.<\/p>\n Howard led the program for more than 10 years and was seen by many as the heart of the operation.<\/p>\n He was first appointed to NIOSH in 2002 and helped shape the government\u2019s health response after the 9\/11 attacks.<\/p>\n He was reappointed multiple times under both administrations, The Post <\/em>reported.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s the father of the program,\u201d Don Mihalek<\/a>, executive vice president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Foundation, said of Howard.<\/p>\n Mihalek, a former Secret Service agent, has been part of the program since it started.<\/p>\n \u201cMy hope is that this was an unforced error, and that on reflection Secretary Kennedy will say, \u2018Wait, what did we just do,\u2019 and fix it,\u201d Mihalek said to The Post<\/em>. Even if it was an accident, he added, \u201cit causes needless drama.\u201d<\/p>\n Earlier this year, the administration reversed a decision to cut the program’s funding after backlash from both parties.<\/p>\n More information<\/strong><\/p>\n Learn more about the U.S. Health and Human Services Department<\/a>.<\/p>\n