9-11 Health
In a true victory for the heroes and heroines of September 11th, Congress kept its promise to “never forget” by overwhelmingly passing into law the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation (HR 847). I am proud to have been the prime sponsor of HR 847, as well as the many earlier versions that I introduced over the years, that would provide medical monitoring, treatment, and compensation to the sick and injured from the attacks. I will continue to fight to make sure these programs authorized in the law are implemented in ways that best serve the responders and survivors.
This legislation has two sections:
1) the health section will provide mandatory funding for the monitoring and treatment of WTC responders and survivors who were exposed to toxins at ground zero, and
2) the compensation section will reopen the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund to provide compensation for economic losses and harm as an alternative to the current litigation system.
Below are links to summaries and implementation timelines of the new law that were prepared for my Office by the Congressional Research Service (CRS).
- Brief factsheet on Zadroga Act programs
- Selected Questions & Answers about HR 847 as passed into law
- Dates of Implementation of HR 847 as passed into law
- Summary of HR 847 as passed into law
- Section-by-Section Summary of HR 847 as passed into law
For more information on implementation of the programs visit:
World Trade Center Health Program, NIOSH/CDC
September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, Department of Justice
Draft regulations for the VCF are available here
Working for a Comprehensive Federal Response to the Health Impacts of 9/11
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, I have been working with my colleagues to establish medical monitoring for everyone exposed to the toxins of Ground Zero and treatment for anyone who is sick as a direct result. Below is a timeline of key events in our fight.
Timeline of Key Events
05/25/10 |
Energy and Commerce Full Committee markup of health provisions of HR 847 |
03/16/10 |
Markup of health provisions of HR 847 - Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health |
07/29/09 |
Markup of compensation provisions of HR 847 - Judiciary Committee |
04/22/09 |
Hearing on health provisions of HR 847 - Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health |
03/31/09 |
Hearing on compensation provisions of HR 847 - Judiciary Subcommittees on the Constitution and Immigration Joint Hearing |
02/4/2009 |
Introduction of HR 847, 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2009 in 111th Congress |
07/24/08 |
H.R. 6594, the updated 9/11 Health and Compensation Act Introduced |
12/27/07 |
$108 million included in FY2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill for 9/11 Health |
09/17/07 |
Reps. Maloney, Nadler and Fossella introduce the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act |
06/18/07 |
New York Times reports on Department of Health and Human Service’s draft plan to treat Ground Zero Workers |
05/25/07 |
$50 million for medical monitoring and treatment of Ground Zero Workers included in Emergency Supplemental Spending bill. |
03/22/07 |
James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act Introduced |
02/05/07 |
$25 million for monitoring and treatment included in President's FY2008 budget as a placeholder until the need can be estimated |
09/07/06 |
Meeting with Health and Human Services Secretary Michael O. Leavitt, Leavitt appoints Dr. John Agwunobi as leader of a task force on 9/11 health within the Department of Health and Human Services |
09/05/06 |
World Trade Center Medical Monitoring Program releases peer reviewed data on almost 10,000 9/11 responders |
08/31/06 |
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene releases medical guidelines for adults exposed to the World Trade Center Disaster |
02/28/06 |
Hearing: Progress Since 9/11: Protecting Public Health and Safety Against Terrorist |
02/27/06 |
Dr. John Howard, Director of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) appointed as federal coordinator of 9/11 health issues. |
10/05 |
$125 million Restored in Federal Budget, $75 for medical monitoring and treatment, $50 million for workers’ compensation |
09/14/04 |
Victims Compensation Fund Extension Act Introduced (Later renamed the James Zadroga Act) |
09/08/04 |
Hearing: Assessing September 11th Health Effects |
03/30/04 |
Remember 9/11 Health Act Introduced |
10/28/03
|
Hearing: Assessing September 11th Health Effects: What Should Be Done? |
03/03 |
$90 million Appropriated for World Trade Center Medical Monitoring Program |
Legislation
In February 2009 I introduced along with Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Peter King (R-NY), and Michael McMahon, H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health Compensation Act.
H.R. 847, the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act would:
- Provide medical monitoring and treatment to WTC responders and survivors (area workers, residents, students and others) who were exposed to toxins released at Ground Zero,
- Build on the existing monitoring and treatment program by delivering expert medical treatment for these unique exposures at Centers of Excellence,
- Reopen the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund to provide compensation for economic losses and harm as an alternative to the current litigation system, and
- Provide liability protections for the WTC contractors and the City of New York.
Documents/Reports
9/11 Health Documents by Topic
01/25/11 – Letter to NIOSH Director John Howard requesting a public meeting on 9/11 health program implementation
01/20/11 - Selected Questions & Answers about HR 847 as passed into law
01/19/11 - Section-by-Section Summary of HR 847 as passed into law
01/06/11 - Dates of Implementation of HR 847 as passed into law
01/06/11 - Summary of HR 847 as passed into law
12/08/10 - President Barack Obama supports Senate passage in Statement of Administration Policy
12/07/10 – Fire Department of NYC letter on funding accountability
12/06/10 – Mt. Sinai School of Medicine letter on funding accountability
12/06/10 –NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation letter onfunding accountability
11/23/10 – CRS Memo: Comparison of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 and Title II of H.R. 847
06/25/10 – CRS Memo on Funding History for the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program
03/22/10 - Fiscal Year 2011 appropriations request letter for WTC Health Programs
03/01/10 - Synopsis of Peer-Reviewed Literature – Human Health Effects related to the WTC Disaster
02/18/10 - Letter to President Obama on long-term fiscally responsible solution
11/30/09 - Letter to Sec. Sebelius on upcoming meeting with NY Delegation
06/16/09 - Letter to OMB Director Orszag on funding for New Jersey clinic
Links
For assistance visit:
World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health
New York City Department of Health
World Trade Center Health Resources from the Department of Health and Human Services