More than 25 years after the September 11 attacks, members of the 9/11 responder community have voiced sharp criticism of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), for actions they say have undermined critical health programs established to aid those affected by the tragedy.
John Feal, a 9/11 responder and founder of the FealGood Foundation, which advocates for responders and survivors, detailed a history of legislative efforts and political battles fought over the past two decades to secure and maintain healthcare and compensation benefits. Feal highlighted key milestones, including the passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act in 2010, signed into law by then-President Barack Obama. This legislation created the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program and was subsequently expanded to cover additional conditions and guaranteed funding through 2090.
Despite these advances, advocates say progress has been inconsistent. Legislative victories have often been followed by setbacks. Notably, in 2019, after public pressure led by Jon Stewart compelled Congress to pass the Never Forget the Heroes Act, then-President Donald Trump signed the bill into law. However, funding and program stability remained vulnerable to political shifts and administrative decisions.
According to Feal, the situation worsened following events in late 2024 and early 2025. The involvement of Elon Musk in critiquing a bipartisan spending bill intended to secure WTC Health Program funding was followed by House Republicans killing the measure. The impasse delayed necessary funding until a fix was eventually passed and signed into law in February 2025.
The most significant criticism centers on actions taken by Secretary Kennedy immediately after his swearing-in. Feal reports that HHS terminated thousands of probationary employees, disproportionately impacting the already understaffed WTC Health Program by eliminating roughly 20% of its staff overnight. Subsequent layoffs and early-retirement buyouts further depleted the department’s workforce amid fears of additional cuts. In April 2025, Kennedy dismissed Dr. John Howard, the long-standing head of the program, without clear communication from the department about his status or the program's future direction.
These decisions, according to advocates, not only disrupted established infrastructure and expertise but also created uncertainty about ongoing research efforts related to 9/11-related health conditions. It was not until April 2026 that Kennedy authorized the program to fill nearly 40 vacant positions, a move viewed by some as overdue rather than indicative of genuine commitment.
Feal argues that while legislative efforts under multiple administrations have supported the 9/11 community, the leadership at HHS under Kennedy has been lacking in both competence and compassion, undermining the needs of responders and survivors. He calls for the appointment of a more supportive secretary who can effectively uphold and advance the program’s mission.
The 9/11 responder community maintains its resolve to continue advocating for the healthcare and compensation benefits they say were promised in the aftermath of the attacks. "We will not cower or bow to anyone who aims to harm us," Feal said, emphasizing their ongoing commitment to ensuring the government honors its obligations.