DOGE cuts delay 9/11 health claims
HHS approved rehiring 37 staff to reach 120 positions after staffing gaps caused treatment backlogs.
By Connor Murphy ·
The federal program assisting 9/11 survivors with health issues is facing delays due to staffing shortages. These gaps followed personnel reductions carried out by the Department of Government Efficiency earlier this year.
Critics argue that the DOGE cuts created a backlog of claims. Survivors now report waiting longer for medical screenings and cancer treatments than in previous years. The strain on the system became apparent as new applicants joined the queue.
The Department of Health and Human Services provided an update to lawmakers in April. The agency stated that the program has approval to fully staff 120 total positions. This target requires rehiring 37 employees to fill current vacancies and restore operational capacity.
Advocates for the survivors are questioning the speed of these hires. They want to know when the new staff will be on the job and processing cases. The timeline for clearing the existing backlog remains a point of contention.
The program serves individuals battling serious health conditions linked to the attacks. It provides medical monitoring and treatment coverage. The current staffing level is below the number needed to handle the volume of claims efficiently.
