HHS Plans to Refill WTC Health Program Staffing After DOGE Cuts
The department approved rehiring 37 employees to reach a total of 120 positions, addressing a backlog that has delayed medical screenings for survivors.
By Alina Campbell ·
Survivors of the September 11 attacks are waiting longer for medical screenings and cancer treatments. A federal staffing reduction created a backlog of claims within the World Trade Center Health Program. The Department of Government Efficiency executed the cuts earlier this year. Advocates now question the speed of the recovery effort.
The Department of Health and Human Services told lawmakers in April that the program has approval to fully staff 120 positions. This target includes rehiring 37 employees. The department aims to restore the workforce levels necessary to process pending health claims without further delay.
InvestigateTV first reported on the staffing issues earlier this year. The investigation showed that the DOGE cuts hollowed out the program's staff. Critics state that the reduction forced survivors to face significant waits for care. The backlog persists as the hiring process moves forward.
In a separate story, the Mississippi River Delta faces physical loss. The region covers roughly 2.7 million acres. It includes the largest area of brackish marsh on the North American continent. These wetlands support fisheries and serve as a key flyway for migrating birds.
The Louisiana coast is sinking and disappearing. It is one of the most rapidly changing landscapes on the planet. The delta's erosion threatens the wildlife habitat and the water systems that depend on it.
School districts also face a labor shortfall. The number of employed school bus drivers in the U.S. dropped nearly 10 percent between 2019 and 2025. The count fell from 223,252 in August 2019 to 202,076 in August 2025. Some parents report that their children face canceled or delayed routes because of the shortage.
