From WO:
-- As noted earlier, referee Mickey Henson was recently released by World Wrestling Entertainment. Henson had taken a leave absence due to a health related issue. It is now coming out that Henson is suffering from lymphoma, a form of cancer. Henson had largely kept his illness quiet, only telling a few friends (including Batista, who he is close to), along with John Laurinaitis and Vince McMahon. WWE reportedly promised Henson employment while he battled cancer since he didn't have health insurance.
I guess WWE couldn't justify paying someone who couldn't work during this recession. He, along with Slaughter, will probably get rehired once everything lightens up.