World Trade Center Health Program leader John Howard's firing reversed after uproar, NY pols say

The Trump administration, following an uproar, has reversed the firing of the doctor in charge of a health program for 9/11 survivors, according to local members of Congress.

The doctor, John Howard, is director of the World Trade Center Health Program. He was one of an estimated 10,000 employees of the Department of Health and Human Services whose jobs were eliminated by the Trump administration as President Donald Trump seeks to slash the size of the federal workforce and reach of the government.

On Saturday, in a news release citing the intervention of members of Congress, Rep. Andrew R. Garbarino (R-Bayport) announced the reversal of Howard's firing.

The White House did not return an email seeking comment Saturday.

The World Trade Center Health Program provides services for about 137,000 sickened 9/11 first responders and other survivors across the nation. 

In an emailed statement, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said Saturday, "I am relieved that the Department of Health and Human Services has made the right decision by rehiring Dr. Howard. However, this should have never happened in the first place, and there continues to be so much uncertainty with news of additional staffing and funding cuts. This is completely unacceptable for the 9/11 responders and survivors who risked their lives when our country was in its darkest hour.”

'Work in progress'

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health staff who worked with the program were also let go. 

Asked whether any of that fired staff would be rehired, Garbarino spokeswoman Kristen Cianci did not say yes or no. In a statement attributed to the congressman, Garbarino said, "It’s a work in progress, but I remain in touch with the White House and HHS as we work to resolve any remaining issues impacting the program. We needed to have the Administrator in place before we could move forward with anything else."

Benjamin Chevat, executive director of Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act, said in a statement that the staff must be rehired too.

"While their announcement is good news and we are grateful for it, this is only the first step," he said in an email.

Angelo Roefaro, a spokesman for Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer, said Saturday, “The fact remains there are more questions than answers right now for the WTC health program and the heroes who depend upon it — and we will get to the bottom of this ASAP.”

Late last month,16 WTC Health Program workers were notified they could lose their jobs, despite the Trump administration's earlier assurances that the program would not be touched. 

Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman Emily G. Hilliard said in an email to Newsday Friday: “All statutorily required programs will remain intact, and as a result of the reorganization, will be better positioned to execute on Congress’s statutory intent."

In February, the Trump administration fired 11 probationary WTC Health Program staff members, but they were rehired after protests from Congressional lawmakers, Newsday has reported.