The Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, has canceled a $275,000 contract for research related to cancer cases resulting from 9/11.
This contract was intended to fund data processing that would compare cancer rates among firefighters exposed to toxins from the World Trade Center with those who were not exposed in other cities.
According to the FDNY, researchers involved in the firefighter health study received notice of the cancellation of the CDC contract last week.
“A tragedy for all Americans who swore they would never forget”
FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker stated, “The World Trade Center Health Program has been a lifeline for sickened 9/11 responders who selflessly gave so much. Cuts to its funding will restrict our ability to establish that new conditions are related to WTC exposure and should be added to the list of covered conditions, undermining our efforts to secure treatment for new conditions. This is a tragedy for all Americans committed to remembering.”
John Feal, a long-time advocate for 9/11 victims and their families, highlighted the importance of research for the 9/11 community.
“Research is crucial because it enables us to add illnesses to the legislation. Last year, we managed to include uterine cancer as the 69th cancer under the bill,” Feal noted, emphasizing that more individuals are becoming ill and that new illnesses are continuously emerging.
Michael Barasche, who has represented almost 40,000 first responders and civilians suffering from 9/11-related ailments, commented, “In 2013, there were no cancers directly linked to the toxins of the World Trade Center. Now we have identified 69 cancers due to ongoing research.”
Governor Kathy Hochul responded robustly through social media.
She stated, “‘Never forget’ is not just a slogan; it is a solemn promise to our firefighters, police officers, and all first responders who rushed into peril on 9/11. We will not hesitate to fight against Elon Musk and his associates who threaten to break that promise.”
“This staff is understaffed”
The cancellation follows the termination of 20% of the World Trade Center Health Program’s staff last week, which advocates argue jeopardizes support for first responders and residents who lived or worked near Ground Zero on 9/11, making it more challenging for them to get recognized for 9/11-related illnesses.
Feal asserted, “The World Trade Center Health Program is a vital resource for over 137,000 individuals enrolled in the program. This workforce lacks sufficient staffing.”
FDNY officials indicated that the contract was deemed non-essential due to the outputs not being statutorily mandated.
CBS News New York has reached out to the White House for further comment but has yet to receive a response.
