Washington, DC – Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today urged the Bush Administration to extend the contract of a key expert overseeing federally-funded 9/11 health programs. In a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt, the senators praised Dr. John Howard, the former Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and called for his contract to be extended so that he can continue guiding important efforts to help the thousands of responders, residents and others who still suffer lasting health effects as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Despite Dr. Howard's unmatched expertise on 9/11 health issues, the Bush Administration has declined to reappoint him to a second term as Director of NIOSH and his employment is set to end on August 3. The senators warned that Dr. Howard's abrupt removal, without any opportunity for a transition period, would jeopardize continuity for federally-funded programs that provide screening, monitoring and treatment for 9/11 health victims.

"The brave responders and residents who suffer from 9/11-related ailments deserve the best leadership and expertise from the federal government as it responds to these pressing problems. Unfortunately, by abruptly removing Dr. Howard, the administration is risking leaving these vital programs adrift at a critical time. We have asked for answers that the Administration has so far failed to provide, in a troubling display of indifference to the suffering of so many who sacrificed their health in the aftermath of these attacks," Senator Clinton said. "By extending Dr. Howard's contract, we can ensure continuity and competence at the federal level and reaffirm our commitment to helping those who helped New York in its hour of need."

“While the thousands of Americans affected by the September 11th attacks struggled to have their medical needs met by the government, Dr. Howard paved the way for treating and improving the long-term health of these brave men and women. His removal as NIOSH Director could derail all of the great work he has done creating and implementing the essential programs that ensure that the first responders, residents and students who became sick receive the treatment they need and deserve. I urge the President to extend Dr. Howard’s appointment, and reaffirm the necessary commitment to the health and well-being of the victims of the attacks,” Senator Schumer said.

"The men and women who put their health and well-being on the line responding to the 9/11 attacks deserve the best medical care we can provide--and Dr. Howard has played a key role in making sure they get that care," Senator Lautenberg said. "Dr. Howard has done outstanding work and we cannot afford to lose his expertise and commitment."

Senator Menendez said: "The Bush administration must show that 'Never forget' is more than just words. There must be a voice within the administration for those made sick at Ground Zero in order to ensure they have the medical attention and treatment they need. That's why it is so important that President Bush reinstate Dr. Howard and let the families affected by 9/11 health issues know that they have a strong advocate on their side."

The text of the senators' letter follows.


July 21, 2008


The Honorable Michael O. Leavitt
Secretary
United States Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20201


Dear Mr. Secretary:

We are writing to urge you to extend the short-term contract of Dr. John Howard at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention until January of 2009. While you have declined to reappoint Dr. Howard to a second term as Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, we understand that you have extended his employment at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) until August 3, 2008, so that he may act as a consultant for the federally funded 9/11 health programs administered by your agency.

We have written to you before about Dr. Howard’s efforts since 2002 in working with institutions in our region to provide screening, monitoring and treatment for thousands of responders and rescue personnel. His expertise on 9/11 health issues is unmatched at the federal level, and his abrupt removal, without any opportunity for a transition period, would jeopardize continuity for these programs. Retaining him as a resource for the CDC would demonstrate your continued commitment to addressing 9/11 health issues.

We are particularly concerned about the pending departure of Dr. Howard because of several new and ongoing 9/11 health initiatives that would benefit from strong oversight and technical assistance. We understand that a contract has recently been awarded to provide monitoring and treatment to responders across the country, and we are aware that a solicitation is in the works to provide federally funded services to the non-responder population experiencing adverse health impacts from these attacks. During this critical time when two programs are beginning, we feel it is important to have someone with knowledge of federal 9/11 health programs at the CDC to provide the guidance necessary to ensure these programs succeed.

These NIOSH-administered 9/11 health programs are vital to improving the health of thousands of individuals in our states and across the nation. In order for them to continue addressing the health care needs of so many who sacrificed their health to save others, we need strong leadership from the federal government. We believe Dr. Howard has the ability to provide the expertise necessary, and we would ask that you extend his contract through this Administration.

Sincerely,

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Charles E. Schumer
Frank Lautenberg
Robert Menendez

###