Critically ill 9/11 first responders are being turned away from the program meant to save them [View all]

Source: ABC News

May 1, 2025, 12:11 AM


A 9/11 responder with life-threatening pancreatic cancer was told this week that he couldn't start chemotherapy. Two others with new cancer diagnoses were also denied treatment, according to Dr. David Prezant, chief medical officer of the New York City Fire Department and director of its World Trade Center Health Program.

"We postponed chemotherapy for a firefighter this week, hoping this could be fixed," Prezant said "He's too young for Medicare, and this delay may cost him his life." All three patients were part of the federally funded World Trade Center Health Program — a system created to care for those who risked their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. But the program has come to a standstill, Prezant said.

"We have been directed not to process any new certifications," an internal email that was shared with ABC News said. To receive care through the program, a responder or survivor must first enroll and then have their illness formally certified by the federal program as being related to 9/11 exposure.

Certification is a separate and critical step. Clinics must submit medical evidence, such as biopsy results or lung scans -- and only after the program approves it can treatment move forward or compensation claims be filed. Without someone in place to authorize these certifications, patients with newly diagnosed conditions are stuck waiting. Prezant said the secure federal website used to track approvals had removed the certification tab entirely.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/critically-ill-911-responders-turned-program-meant-save/story?id=121338021