HHS Sec. Kennedy Says Cuts at 9/11 Health Program Were 'Mistake'
- On Wednesday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., head of the Department of Health and Human Services, acknowledged that reducing staff at the government-supported World Trade Center Health Program was an error.
- The cuts occurred amid broader budget reductions and staffing shakeups that began during the Trump administration, affecting services for 9/11 victims and responders exposed to toxic debris in Lower Manhattan.
- Advocates and lawmakers warned that firings and rehirings have disrupted patient care, caused the program to halt new enrollments, and left some sick patients unable to receive treatment.
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer characterized the situation surrounding the program as one of complete disorder, while Kennedy acknowledged making some errors but affirmed that the program will persist.
- The admission signals a need to fully restore staff to meet health care demands for roughly 140,000 affected 9/11 survivors and responders amid ongoing scrutiny of Kennedy's management.
26 Articles
26 Articles
RFK Jr. admits ‘mistake’ in slashing 9/11 health program
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. admitted making a “mistake” in slashing the health program that serves Sept. 11 first responders, but dodged questions about whether he would return it to full staffing. RFK Jr. told Sen. Andy Kim, D-NJ, that firing many staffers at the World Trade Center Health Program was an error made as the incoming Trump administration sought to make deep across-the-board cuts to spending. “It was pa…
RFK Jr. stands by deep cuts to health budget during contentious hearings
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says that Elon Musk’s DOGE effort drew up the blueprint for spending cuts that are reshaping the Department of Health and Human Services — and Kennedy and his team implemented them. Kennedy also said he pushed back on some cuts and has reinstated a few programs cut mistakenly.Kennedy faced hours of questioning Wednesday in two congressional committee hearings — one in the House Appropriations Committee and …
Lawmakers question Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on staffing cuts, funding freezes and policy changes at health department
Kennedy appeared at a House appropriations hearing Wednesday to defend the White House’s requested budget for his agency and before the Senate’s health committee.
Lawmakers Question RFK Jr. On Staffing Cuts, Funding Freezes And Policy Changes At Health Department
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats and Republicans alike raised concerns on Wednesday about deep staffing cuts, funding freezes and far-reaching policy changes overseen by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. A bipartisan group of lawmakers questioned Kennedy’s approach to the job, some saying that he has jeopardized vaccine uptake, cancer research and […] The post Lawmakers Question RFK Jr. On Staffing Cuts, Funding Freezes A…
WASHINGTON — Republicans and Democrats alike Wednesday questioned the deep staffing cuts
WASHINGTON — Republicans and Democrats alike Wednesday questioned the deep staffing cuts, research funding freezes and drastic policy changes that U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made in a few short months at the helm of…
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