WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reappoint Dr. John Howard to another six-year term as director of NIOSH and administrator of the World Trade Center Health Program.
Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., led the letter, which was signed by 26 members of Congress ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, Garbarino’s office stated in a press release. The lawmakers cited Howard’s leadership of the WTC Health Program and noted that Congress recently secured lifetime funding for the program to ensure that responders and survivors continue to receive care.
“Twenty-five years after September 11th, New Yorkers know our responsibility to the responders and survivors who answered the call has never ended,” Garbarino said. “Congress recently secured funding for the World Trade Center Health Program for the lifetime of the program, ensuring those who continue to suffer from the health effects of 9/11 will receive the care they have earned for years to come. Dr. Howard has dedicated more than two decades to serving the 9/11 community, and we owe him our sincere thanks for that commitment. As we approach the 25th anniversary of the attacks, reappointing Dr. Howard will provide the continuity and stability the Program deserves.”
The World Trade Center Health Program provides medical care to more than 140,000 9/11 responders and survivors nationwide. Lawmakers said the recently secured lifetime funding resolves the program’s projected shortfall and gives long-term certainty to patients, providers and researchers.
“Honoring our promise to ‘never forget’ means protecting healthcare for 9/11 first responders and survivors,” Gillibrand said. “Dr. Howard has dedicated his career to ensuring that 9/11 heroes get the specialized care they need to cope with the long-term health effects of toxic exposure. Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks, the Trump administration must reappoint Dr. Howard to guarantee that survivors keep the care and stability that they deserve.”
In the letter, lawmakers acknowledged recent HHS efforts to address staffing shortages, delayed research grants and pending coverage petitions, while urging Kennedy to reappoint Howard to ensure continuity at the program.
