Editorial credit: Ben Von Klemperer / shutterstock.com

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement after reports that the Trump administration’s cuts to the federal workforce are impacting the World Trade Center Health Program:

“Recklessly cutting the staffing, funding, and resources that ensure 9/11 first responders and survivors get the health care they need is flat-out cruel. Thousands of New Yorkers made heroic sacrifices to save others during this attack and are experiencing lifelong health impacts as a result. These heroes deserve the utmost respect and care from their government. These cuts are unacceptable and must be reversed.”

Created in 2011, the World Trade Center Health Program provides medical treatment for more than 132,000 9/11 survivors, first responders, and other impacted individuals. Recent reports have revealed that the Trump administration’s buyout offers for federal employees and the mass firing of probationary civil service staff have led to significant staffing cuts at federal health care programs, including the World Trade Center Health Program. As a result of these cuts, advocates for the 9/11 community report that the World Trade Center Health Program has seen a 20 percent reduction in staff, which will undermine efforts to help patients.

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