HHS Approves Staffing Boost for 9/11 Health Program After New York Outcry

The move aims to address backlogs and delays in treatment approvals and enrollment for 9/11 responders and survivors.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 5:35pm

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A translucent, ghostly X-ray photograph revealing the internal structure of a stethoscope and other medical equipment, conceptually representing the clinical care provided through the World Trade Center Health Program.An X-ray view of the medical equipment used to provide care for 9/11 responders and survivors, highlighting the critical role of the World Trade Center Health Program.NYC Today

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is moving to rebuild staffing at the World Trade Center Health Program, signing off on dozens of new hires after months of internal turmoil that left key positions empty. The program serves about 140,000 responders and survivors, and officials expect it to be "fully staffed again soon" after operating more than 25% below its authorized level.

Why it matters

The staffing cuts had led to backlogs in treatment approvals and enrollment, as well as delays in research awards and oversight of contractors - issues that advocates say had real consequences for patients waiting for care. New York lawmakers pressed HHS for answers, leading to the approval of 37 new hires to bring the program closer to its full staffing level.

The details

HHS approved hiring to bring the World Trade Center Health Program toward its full staffing level of 120 employees, up from around 83 currently. The program's capacity had been whittled down after a year of reassignments, buyouts and a departmentwide hiring freeze. Advocates warned that the staffing slips, even as enrollment climbed, produced slower treatment approvals, stalled research awards and gaps in oversight of contractors.

  • HHS approved the 37 new hires in April 2026 after inquiries from New York lawmakers.
  • The World Trade Center Health Program serves about 140,000 responders and survivors.

The players

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services who approved the hiring of 37 new positions for the World Trade Center Health Program.

Kirsten Gillibrand

A U.S. Senator from New York who pressed HHS for answers about the paused petition reviews and reassignment of program staff.

Andrew Garbarino

A U.S. Representative who called the staffing boost "real progress for the 9/11 community" and said more staff should translate into shorter waits for care.

Benjamin Chevat

The executive director of the Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act, who praised the staffing decision as a step forward but urged HHS to act quickly on stalled petition reviews.

911 Health Watch

An advocacy group that warned the World Trade Center Health Program's staffing had slipped from the low 90s into the low 80s even as enrollment climbed, producing delays.

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What they’re saying

“We must act quickly to fill these critical positions and clear the backlog of pending petitions, research awards and treatment authorizations.”

— Benjamin Chevat, Executive Director, Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act

“This is real progress for the 9/11 community, and more staff should translate into shorter waits for care.”

— Andrew Garbarino, U.S. Representative

What’s next

HHS has committed to strengthening the World Trade Center Health Program and moving petition reviews through established processes, while advocates say they will keep up pressure until the service improvements materialize.

The takeaway

The staffing boost for the 9/11 health program is a positive step, but advocates caution that hiring alone won't instantly clear the backlog of pending petitions, research awards and treatment authorizations that have delayed care for thousands of responders and survivors. Continued oversight and pressure will be needed to ensure the new positions are filled promptly and that stalled determinations are issued.