The Trump administration is poised to terminate federal workers associated with preventing and addressing work-related illnesses, particularly programs aiding coal miners suffering from “black lung” disease. An internal memo obtained by NBC News reveals that these terminations could jeopardize vital health screening initiatives for workers exposed to toxins, including first responders from 9/11. Employees benefiting from these programs have expressed concern that untreated conditions may lead to undiagnosed health issues such as cancer and lung illness.
Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiated cuts to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which has operated for 55 years. This reduction is part of a broader strategy to downsize the federal workforce by approximately 20,000 employees. NIOSH’s director, John Howard, acknowledged the confusion surrounding recent layoffs and stated that some staff would temporarily return to complete necessary tasks following bipartisan congressional pushback against his own termination.
Among the programs at risk is the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program, which monitors the health of coal miners and offers free X-rays for lung condition detection. An HHS official assured that essential programs like this would transition to a new agency called the Administration for a Healthy America, though specific details on this transfer remain unclear.
Concerns are amplified by a recent lawsuit filed by a coal miner in West Virginia, pressing for the reinstatement of the program and alleging HHS has violated the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. With unemployment concerns looming and hundreds of unread X-rays awaiting analysis, miners fear a significant setback in their health monitoring and support services.
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