Blumenthal Urges Senate to Renew 9/11 Health Programs

Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement, urging his Senate colleagues to immediately pass permanent renewal of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act, legislation of which he is an original co-sponsor:

“On September 11, thousands of first responders rushed toward danger and risked their lives to save others. They breathed and ingested toxins that day and over the weeks that followed – toxins that led to chronic and lethal conditions and have more than 33,000 first responders and survivors requiring medical treatment and monitoring. There was no limit to their bravery over those weeks, and there should be no limits to their access to health care today. Because of Congress’s inaction, nearly 400 first responders from Connecticut are in danger of losing their health care, and additional families may not receive deserved compensation from the Victim Compensation Fund if we do not extend this crucial program. I will continue to fight until these remarkable men and women have the permanent access to care that they earned. That is our moral obligation.”

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, passed by Congress in 2010, helped ensure proper monitoring and treatment for thousands of men, women and children that face potential life-threatening health effects due to the toxins released at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

Currently, over 33,000 responders and survivors across the nation have at least one illness or injury while many have multiple 9/11 conditions and are receiving critical treatment and medical care through the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program. Over 70,000 first responders and survivors are receiving medical monitoring. The program treats responders and survivors for many chronic diseases and respiratory illnesses, including asthma, sinusitis, obstructive pulmonary disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The new James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act would:

Continue the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program.  The World Trade Center Health Program administered by NIOSH would continue medical monitoring for 9/11-related illnesses for over 62,000 9/11 first responders and treatment for over 8,475 injured 9/11 survivors.  Over 33,000 responders and survivors have at least one or more medical conditions as a result of their 9/11 exposure.  Most of these conditions require chronic care. These conditions include severe respiratory diseases, chronic sinus problems, and psychological conditions such as PTSD. Over 4,385 incidences of WTC-related 9/11 cancers have been certified in program participants, including over 950 among people working for the NYC Fire Department, and more are expected.  

Continue to Provide Monitoring and Treatment for Communities Throughout the Nation. The program would continue to provide medical monitoring and treatment for responders to the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the Shanksville, PA crash site who live outside the New York metropolitan area. This legislation would continue that treatment for over 8,475 injured and ill 9/11 responders and survivors including responders who came to New York to provide assistance after 9/11 and those from New York who have moved out of the New York Metropolitan area. There are currently responders and survivors who are participating in the WTC Health Program from every state and from 429 of 435 Congressional Districts. 

Continue the September 11^th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF).  Under the bill the fund, which is scheduled to close on October 3, 2016, would remain open and be fully funded to provide compensation for economic damages and loss for responders and survivors who were injured by exposure to the toxins at Ground Zero. To date, the Fund has determined 11,770 claimants eligible and has made compensation decisions for 5,636 injured and ill 9/11 responders and survivors for $1.3 billion dollars in compensation. More are expected in the coming years due to the delayed onset of cancer from 9/11 exposure. But without legislation and sufficient funding, 9/11 injured responders will face having their compensation reduced by perhaps 50 percent and those who are diagnosed with cancer in future years would have NO compensation.

Make the programs permanent.  Many of the responders and survivors have chronic WTC-related illnesses requiring long-term care. Some will have delayed onset of illnesses, especially cancers, due to 9/11 exposures. They will continue to need medical care and compensation. Making the programs permanent would be similar to legislation that was enacted providing medical and compensation benefits for workers at our nuclear facilities.

Continue to Research New Conditions. The legislation would continue research in diagnosing and treating WTC-related illnesses.

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