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Maloney, advocates urge passing of 9/11 health billBY CLAUDIA CRUZOver the last eight years, 817 workers and volunteers have died from injuries related to the toxins and chemicals released into the air after the attacks of September 11, 2001. Nearly 2,800 died on that day in New York City alone.
And on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 a few hundred yards from Ground Zero, first responders, recovery and clean-up workers joined elected officials, to demand the passage of a long-term, permanent health care and compensation Bill named for one of those post 9/11 casualties, James Zadroga. “We’ve gathered at Ground Zero many times,” said Congressmember Carolyn Maloney, who represents parts of Queens and Manhattan. “But the truth is I don’t want to do this next year. I don’t want to have to gather with friends next year and say for the ninth time – that this is the year when our country should finally meet its moral responsibility to care for those who lost their health because of an act of terror against our nation.” An estimated 50,000 to 100,000 workers and volunteers from across the United States became involved in the rescue, recovery and clean-up efforts after the attack, and exposed themselves to environmental toxins and chemicals such as cement, glass dust, asbestos, fiberglass, alkaline, and lead. Many also suffer from psychological trauma. Statistics from the National Institutes for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), show that as of March 31, 2009, more than 51,000 World Trade Center (WTC) responders nationwide have met eligibility and have enrolled in the medical monitoring and treatment programs, according to Fred Blosser, a NIOSH spokesperson. NIOSH created the criteria of 9/11 health related ailments, which include asthma, chronic cough syndrome, sleep apnea, chronic rhinosinusitus, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and depression among others. However, Congress has funded the medical monitoring and treatment program on a yearly basis and has yet to determine appropriations for fiscal year 2010, according to Blosser. The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Health and Compensation Act of 2009 provides a mechanism for the continuous funding of the WTC monitoring and treatment programs with a payment rate based on federal compensation systems like Black Lung disease, energy workers and members of Congress. Workers’ compensation, public and private insurance plans would be primary payers, however. Another attribute of the WTC health program would be the reopening of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) closed on December 22, 2003, which provided initial aid to families of 9/11 victims and individuals who suffered injury. Since 9/11, occupational health experts believe that some patients have not yet been evaluated or treated for their WTC illness, the VCF would still compensate those diagnosed after the deadline. “The federal government has a responsibility to those who are sick,” said Congressmember Jerrold Nadler of Lower Manhattan. “They have become sick because of 9/11, so they should be covered under this bill.” |
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of queenscourier.com.
Ranlin wrote on Sep 16, 2009 12:56 AM:
" Remember the Federal WTC Responders who were left on their own excluded from any federally funded WTC health program for NYFD/NYPD, etc. My husband detailed to the WTC clean up under GSA transferred to DHS, diagnosed 16 months after detail with lung cancer/brain tumor, sinusitis, GERD, etc. died 05 and still waiting for a returned phone call, response from emails/letters, etc. Going through the political luncy for the legacy of those WTC Responders, as my husband was not the only one ignored, we promised never to forget should be honored with dignity and respect.
Federal WTC Responders should set the example since the federal government has funded, compensated, acknowledged and helped State, city, local and illegal immigrant responders but excluded their own employees from statistical data, compensation, WTC health, monitoring and treatment programs? If the feds can detail by a mandatory TDY, then they should be held accountable, responsible and liable according to legislation, regulations and not taken for granted? "
Federal WTC Responders should set the example since the federal government has funded, compensated, acknowledged and helped State, city, local and illegal immigrant responders but excluded their own employees from statistical data, compensation, WTC health, monitoring and treatment programs? If the feds can detail by a mandatory TDY, then they should be held accountable, responsible and liable according to legislation, regulations and not taken for granted? "
Arnie wrote on Sep 28, 2009 8:34 AM:
" Thought this would be of interest to readers.
Since September 2001 I have maintained a free and confidential "9/11 list-serv".
The "9/11 list-serv" distributes daily e-mails containing newspaper articles and other relevant information re: 9/11 issues of interest to 9/11 families, 9/11 organizations and interested individuals.
The 9/11 List-serv archives can be accessed at http://groups.google.com/group/911-list-serv
If you would like to 'subscribe' to this free news service - send an e-mail to amkorotkin@aol.com with the word "subscribe" in the subject box.
Arnie "
Since September 2001 I have maintained a free and confidential "9/11 list-serv".
The "9/11 list-serv" distributes daily e-mails containing newspaper articles and other relevant information re: 9/11 issues of interest to 9/11 families, 9/11 organizations and interested individuals.
The 9/11 List-serv archives can be accessed at http://groups.google.com/group/911-list-serv
If you would like to 'subscribe' to this free news service - send an e-mail to amkorotkin@aol.com with the word "subscribe" in the subject box.
Arnie "
Chaplain WTC wrote on Sep 28, 2009 9:43 AM:
" As a First Responder Chaplain of the WTC. 911, I came from Ohio and gave last rights to the victims of the Towers,now\terminally ill from the effects of that time spent at ground O i can not even afford to get
Palliative Care apart of .Hospice due to the fact I have a $ 2 THOUSAND DOLLAR $ Pay-down from Medicare, so I must suffer from pain.The DRS HAVE ALL TOLD ME THE ONLY TREATMENT THAT THEY CAN OFFER ME IS Comfort Care trying to reduce my pain so I can be more comfortable. What a Shame, if they would open the V.Compensation Fund it would help others like me have funds to pay for services we need so we will not need to be placed in a Nursing Home, MEDICARE WOULD PAY FOR That DOES THIS MAKE SENCE? Please cant our Government Help us I had to sell everything I had just to get by each month,I never thought we would be so very ill from going to help others in need.Something needs to be done ASAP! We can not suffer like this much longer,all we are asking for is help to live and for our medical bills.That's all just help!
Rev.Stephan
Huron,Ohio
ukiebishop@gmail.com "
Palliative Care apart of .Hospice due to the fact I have a $ 2 THOUSAND DOLLAR $ Pay-down from Medicare, so I must suffer from pain.The DRS HAVE ALL TOLD ME THE ONLY TREATMENT THAT THEY CAN OFFER ME IS Comfort Care trying to reduce my pain so I can be more comfortable. What a Shame, if they would open the V.Compensation Fund it would help others like me have funds to pay for services we need so we will not need to be placed in a Nursing Home, MEDICARE WOULD PAY FOR That DOES THIS MAKE SENCE? Please cant our Government Help us I had to sell everything I had just to get by each month,I never thought we would be so very ill from going to help others in need.Something needs to be done ASAP! We can not suffer like this much longer,all we are asking for is help to live and for our medical bills.That's all just help!
Rev.Stephan
Huron,Ohio
ukiebishop@gmail.com "
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