Promises broken by Trump on health care for 9/11 responders

Promises made, promises broken.

That's what's happened with the Trump administration's recent handling of the World Trade Center Health Program. As a result, approval for medical care for sickened first responders and other survivors of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks has been languishing.

The ramifications are real. David Prezant, the director and chief medical officer of the FDNY's WTC Health Program, reported that on Wednesday alone, he was unable to certify or authorize treatment for three patients — one of whom has life-threatening pancreatic cancer. Enrollments and certifications began to resume Thursday after advocates sounded the alarm, but whether that continues without further disruption remains to be seen.

This turmoil has been more than a month in the making. On April 1, the Trump administration laid off more than 10,000 Health and Human Services employees, including Dr. John Howard, the WTC Health Program's administrator, and other program workers. Days later, the White House promised Long Island Reps. Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota, along with other New York and New Jersey elected officials, that they would rehire Howard and others.

That didn't happen. Instead, doctors found themselves without the required administrator to approve treatments and enrollments. By Thursday afternoon, Howard apparently had received temporary authority to certify patients and treatments. But his status — and the program's footing — remains precarious.

There is no clear explanation as to why any of this is happening. Health and Human Services has not responded to questions, or issued any statements regarding the program. Even Republican congressional representatives like Garbarino and advocates who've long supported those who suffer from 9/11-related illnesses haven't been able to get definitive answers.

Howard, a medical doctor long focused on workers' health needs, is eminently qualified. He was first appointed to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health by Republican President George W. Bush in 2002. And he was most recently reappointed by Trump himself — during Trump's first term. The Trump administration has given no legitimate reason for getting rid of him. Nonetheless, Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have left those who've already spent years fighting for funding for the WTC Health Program in a cloud of uncertainty, with patients unsure whether they'll get the chemotherapy and other treatment they need. That's abhorrent.

"Let me be clear: anything that jeopardizes care for 9/11 responders and survivors is indefensible," Garbarino said in a statement Thursday.

Garbarino said he would "continue to press for a full resolution to Dr. Howard's status." But he made similar pledges before, based on promises he got from administration officials. He's been a strong voice — and is likely doing the best he can. But what's clear from all of this is that no one — including Garbarino and LaLota — should trust or rely on the Trump administration's promises, even when it comes to health care for our first responders.