Permanent 9/11 WTC Health Program Push Intensified by NJ Senators Booker, Menendez

New Jersey’s Senators, Booker, and Menendez, are spearheading the push for permanent funding for the 9/11 World Trade Center Health Program. Without bipartisan action from Congress, the program is at risk of running out of funding.

Over 10,000 residents from New Jersey are currently enrolled in the 9/11 WTC Health Program, which provides healthcare services to various individuals exposed to the toxic air in lower Manhattan after the 9/11 attack and the subsequent events.

The urgency for permanent funding arises as the death toll from post-9/11 exposure to the World Trade Center toxic air exceeds the number of people who died on the day of the attack, reaching well over 2,600 individuals. Today, tens of thousands of first responders and survivors are grappling with chronic diseases linked to their exposure, often suffering from multiple ailments.

During a press conference on February 28, 2023, Senator Robert Menendez emphasized the importance of not only commemorating the events of 9/11 but also taking action to prioritize the health of survivors and first responders. He highlighted that it would be a hollow promise to attend a 9/11 commemoration while voting against funding efforts for the healthcare of survivors.

Senator Cory Booker pointed out the irony of 9/11 first responders needing to lobby Congress for permanent funding of the World Trade Center Health Program during a press conference in Washington, D.C. He emphasized that they were not seeking charity but rather urging Congress to fulfill its duty and promise. Booker praised the bravery and strength of the men and women who responded to the attacks and called for a similar response from Congress.

In December, advocates for the 9/11 World Trade Center faced a setback when the full appropriation of $3.7 billion needed for the program was reduced to just $1 billion during negotiations over the Omnibus spending bill. The rush to pass the bill before Democrats lost control of the House of Representatives contributed to this reduction.

Representative Jerrold Nadler expressed concern over the increasing number of responders, residents, students, and office workers affected by 9/11-related illnesses, stating that the situation reflects the urgency to strengthen the World Trade Center Health Program. He emphasized the moral obligation to ensure the care of these individuals.

Aside from the thousands of first responders and construction workers involved in the cleanup efforts at the World Trade Center site, there were nearly 20,000 New York City public school students, teachers, and support staff who were ordered to return to contaminated schools in the area. Additionally, tens of thousands of college students attended institutions like Pace University and the Borough of Manhattan Community College in the affected zone.

Former Governor Christie Whitman, who served as the EPA administrator, initially reassured residents that the air was safe to breathe after the 9/11 attack. However, a 2003 EPA Inspector General report revealed deficiencies in the EPA’s air monitoring data, indicating that the agency lacked sufficient information to make such blanket statements. The report also highlighted the influence of the White House Council on Environmental Quality on the EPA’s communication to the public.

Labor unions are at the forefront of the current effort to secure permanent funding for the 9/11 World Trade Center Health Program. Ryan Delgado, the NYS AFL-CIO’s chief of staff, emphasized that responders and survivors should not have to worry if Congress will fulfill its responsibilities, as they lost their lives while serving on that fateful day. Delgado stressed the need for healthcare, prescription drugs, and funding to support these individuals.

FDNY Lt. James McCarthy, president of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, emphasized the inevitability of sickness among firefighters and fire officers due to their exposure at Ground Zero. McCarthy stressed the importance of funding for healthcare and prescription drugs, highlighting that more FDNY members will die from 9/11-related illnesses than died on September 11, making it crucial to secure the necessary funding.

Edward Kelly, the president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, pointed out the alarming rate at which FDNY members are succumbing to World Trade Center-related illnesses. He urged Congress to do the right thing and fulfill the nation’s obligation to those who were there for their country.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, one of the bill’s lead sponsors, emphasized the need for the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act. With many survivors having been children at the time of the attacks, the program’s growth has increased, necessitating adequate funding to address the rising healthcare costs.

Mariama James, a resident of lower Manhattan on 9/11, shared the heartbreaking loss of both her parents due to their certified conditions related to the World Trade Center. She called for the promised treatment to be funded as initially intended.

Representative Dan Goldman, who lived in lower Manhattan during the attacks, reflected on the false promises made to survivors and first responders regarding the safety of Ground Zero. He stressed the importance of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act as a critical and just piece of legislation.

John Feal, a longtime advocate and participant in the 9/11 WTC Health Program, highlighted the alarming number of people suffering from certified cancer and urged Congress to take action immediately. He emphasized that justice could still be achieved by addressing the shortfall and not waiting until 2027.

The bipartisan support garnered by the bill is crucial, especially with the House now under GOP control. Representative Andrew Garbarino, one of the bill’s lead sponsors, highlighted the case of Jamie Atkinson, a 9/11 responder who is now fighting a rare stage IV cancer. He stressed the importance of fixing the funding shortfall for Atkinson and the thousands of others relying on the program.

According to the CDC, the program faces a shortfall due to a significant increase in first responders and survivors enrolling for screening and healthcare. The rising number of certified cancer cases has also contributed to the program’s increased costs. The CDC emphasized the complexity of treating cancer, especially among an aging membership with additional health conditions, which has exceeded previous cost estimates.

While first responders are guaranteed free screening for life, civilian survivors must exhibit symptoms of a 9/11-related disease or condition to enroll. Despite close to 90% of first responders being enrolled, the percentage of residents, commuters, and students enrolled remains below 10%.

Congress must act swiftly to address the funding shortfall and ensure the provision of necessary healthcare for the survivors, first responders, and all those affected by the events of September 11.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP For A Free Case Review

Be sure to get the legal help you need for your 9/11 illness case. Contact Parker Waichman LLP today by calling their toll-free number 800-968-7529. Their experienced attorneys are standing by to provide a free case evaluation and help you take the first steps toward obtaining the justice and compensation you deserve.