Reinstated federal workers, engaged in 'black lung' examinations, remain at risk for termination in June
Feds Slash Health Programs, Raising Alarms for Workers Exposed to Toxins
In a move that's causing alarm, the Trump administration is axing federal employees focused on protecting workers from work-related diseases, including "black lung" in coal miners. This decision potentially threatens vital programs that identify health issues in workers with toxic exposures, including 9/11 first responders.
Recent cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have significantly weakened the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), reducing its 55-year-old agency workforce. This restructuring is part of an overall plan to shrink the federal workforce, which aims to terminate around 20,000 full-time employees.
On April 1, NIOSH's director, John Howard, received a termination notice. However, bipartisan opposition from members of Congress resulted in Howard's reinstatement. In an agency-wide email, Howard acknowledged the RIF (Reduction in Force) notices sent to staff, but he brought some staffers back from administrative leave this week as a temporary measure to complete their obligations. The staffers were initially told they would be terminated by June.
Programs within NIOSH, such as the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program, are set to become part of a newly created agency known as the Administration for a Healthy America, according to Howard. However, the details about this transition remain unclear.
The aforementioned Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program focuses on monitoring the health of coal miners, offering free X-rays to identify lung scarring in miners who inhale coal dust - commonly known as "black lung." With staffing cuts come concerns about miners' health going undetected. An epidemiologist at the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program, Scott Laney, estimated that hundreds of thousands of X-rays are currently unread in the NIOSH facility in Morgantown, West Virginia, leaving miners in limbo.
Meanwhile, Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) has expressed optimism about NIOSH staff returning to work temporarily. Advocacy continues for permanently restoring these functions and personnel in the most efficient and effective manner.
A lawsuit filed by a coal miner in West Virginia on behalf of other coal miners accuses HHS of violating the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act by terminating staffers involved in black lung screenings. HHS has until Thursday to respond to the suit.
It's crucial to note that coal miners face a higher-than-average risk of dying from black lung due to their occupation. One in 10 underground coal miners who worked for 25 years or more had black lung, according to a 2018 NIOSH report. In the Central Appalachia region, the rate was one in five.
Without NIOSH's assistance, miners face challenges in receiving necessary healthcare services. Many miners work long shifts and would otherwise struggle to see a doctor. With the current state of staffing cuts, healthcare outcomes for affected workers remain uncertain.
Additional Insights- 9/11 World Trade Center Health Program: Following public outcry, the program partially resumed new enrollments and treatment approvals as of May 2025. However, first responders continue experiencing delays in receiving care despite restored funding, continuing to raise concerns.- Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program: The program's dismantling under the Trump administration has left no capacity to process X-rays and address the ongoing black lung epidemic, with unions and lawmakers condemning the cuts as legally dubious and potentially disastrous for affected miners.- Congressional action or litigation may be required to enforce statutory obligations, but no concrete recovery plans exist for either program at this time. Advocacy groups warn of further service reductions without congressional intervention for both the 9/11 Program and the Coal Worker Program.
- The Trump administration's decision to ax federal employees focused on protecting workers from work-related diseases has caused widespread alarm, particularly for workers exposed to toxins such as coal miners, 9/11 first responders, and others with medical conditions and chronic diseases.
- The cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) significantly weakened the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), reducing its workforce and potentially threatening vital programs.
- NIOSH's Director, John Howard, was initially given a termination notice but was reinstated due to bipartisan opposition from members of Congress.
- The staffing reductions at NIOSH have raised concerns about the detection and treatment of illnesses like chronic kidney disease, cancer, and respiratory conditions.
- Programs within NIOSH, such as the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program, may become part of a newly created agency called the Administration for a Healthy America, but details about this transition remain unclear.
- The dismantling of the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program leaves no capacity to process X-rays and address the ongoing black lung epidemic, with unions and lawmakers condemning the cuts as legally dubious and potentially disastrous for affected miners.
- The 2018 NIOSH report showed that one in 10 underground coal miners who had worked for 25 years or more had black lung, with a higher rate in the Central Appalachia region.
- Without NIOSH's assistance, miners face challenges in receiving necessary healthcare services due to long work hours and difficulty seeing doctors.
- The partial resumption of new enrollments and treatment approvals for the 9/11 World Trade Center Health Program in May 2025 did not prevent delays in receiving care for first responders.
- Lawsuits may be filed to enforce statutory obligations and ensure the continued operation of critical programs like the 9/11 Program and the Coal Worker Program.
- Advocacy for the efficient and effective restoration of functions and personnel for these programs continues, but no concrete recovery plans exist at this time.
- Further service reductions are possible without congressional intervention for both the 9/11 Program and the Coal Worker Program.
- Substantial concerns remain about the impact of illnesses and chronic diseases on the health and wellness, cardiovascular health, mental health, and fitness and exercise of workers.
- Agencies across various sectors, including sports organizations like the NFL, WNBA, MLB, NHL, NBA, golf, racing, American football, tennis, and mixed martial arts, have health and safety protocols in place to protect athletes from injuries and health risks.
- Industry leaders in sports, health, and wellness, such as fitness trainers and sports analysts, play a crucial role in promoting healthy lifestyles, early detection of illnesses, and injury prevention.
- These organizations can serve as role models for their millions of followers, emphasizing the importance of regular fitness and exercise, healthy eating, and stress management in maintaining cardiovascular health and mental well-being.
- As sports betting becomes increasingly popular, it is essential to address the potential negative repercussions on mental health and search for responsible gambling practices.
- On-going research and science are vital for understanding the impact of sports and athletic activities on the overall health and well-being of athletes, providing insights into sports performance, injury prevention, and recovery.
- A comprehensive approach to workplace wellness, including support for identified health issues, fitness and exercise programs, and resources for mental health, can significantly contribute to the health and well-being of workers.
