Remembering 9/11's dead and those in need

Even 24 years later, those of us who lived through that horrific September morning still remember the sight of a clear blue sky turned gray with ash, the sound of sirens from fire trucks that sped into downtown Manhattan and never returned, and the putrid smell of burnt metal and concrete that lingered over New York City and its suburbs for days.

On this anniversary, we remember, and mourn, the thousands of people who died on Sept. 11, 2001, and the thousands of first responders and others who've since lost their lives due to illnesses contracted from the toxic fumes they breathed day after day following the terrorist attacks. Nearly 50,000 first responders and others have been diagnosed with 9/11-related cancers; more than 9,000 of them certified in the last year alone.

Yet, even as those memories thicken on this tragic anniversary, the firefighters, police officers and civilians who suffer from or are susceptible to 9/11-related diseases still lack the tools, communication, care, research and funding they need. The Trump administration — and the Department of Health and Human Services specifically — have failed our heroes, and have done little to remedy the situation.

Earlier this year, World Trade Center Health Program personnel were wrongly subject to President Donald Trump's federal job cuts. Even after some cuts were restored, the program remains understaffed, thanks to a hiring freeze. There've been months of delays in research grants, in coverage extensions for certain illnesses, and in the evaluation of new illnesses the program still doesn't cover. Making matters worse, an HHS communications "pause" has limited responsiveness between the WTC Health Program and the 9/11 community and limited the program's functionality. In a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand said the problems have caused confusion, treatment delays and insufficient oversight.

That's unacceptable. 

Those troubles are especially disconcerting for those suffering from illnesses not yet covered by the program. Previously, robust research and assessment efforts examined whether certain medical problems are prevalent in the 9/11 community and should be included. Advocates say that's not happening now, leaving first responders and others in the dark. 

This comes as future funding for the program remains in doubt. We're still waiting for formula fixes so elected officials don't have to constantly revisit the program's funding needs. Rep. Andrew Garbarino, thankfully, makes it a top priority; there's still more to do.

Amid those concerns came Trump's suggestion that the federal government should take over the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. No case has been made for that; the administration should focus on helping 9/11 survivors first.

Each year, on this day, elected officials and others across the political spectrum pledge to remember those who died and those still suffering. This year, they must keep that promise, not just on Sept. 11 — but in the days, weeks, months and years to come.