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Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) marked the 14^th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks by announcing his support for the bipartisan James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act (H.R. 1786). The legislation permanently extends the Victim Compensation Fund and World Trade Center Health Program, which provides health care to 9/11 responders and survivors in all 50 states, including 54,226 in New York State, where almost 80% of 9/11 responders and survivors reside. Approximately 190 residents of New York’s 20^th Congressional District participate in the World Trade Center Health Program.

“In the wake of the terrible tragedy that affected every corner in every community of this nation on September 11^th, 2001, first responders from every state ran toward collapsing towers to save their fellow Americans. We can never repay the debt owed to these heroes and their loved ones, but we must do all we can to ensure they have access to proper health care and medical monitoring. If Congress doesn’t act, programs that support these heroes will expire, leaving more than 70,000 first responders and survivors without the care they need,”said Tonko.

Introduced by Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), and Peter King (R-NY), H.R. 1786 would:

·        Continue the World Trade Center Health Program

·        Continue to Provide Monitoring and Treatment for Communities Throughout the Nation

·        Continue the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF)

·        Make the Programs Permanent

·        Continue New York City’s Cost Share

·        Continue to Research New Conditions that may be attributed to long-term proximity to Ground Zero

On January 2, 2011, President Obama signed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (H.R. 847) into law. The Zadroga Act’s two critical programs providing medical treatment and compensation for 9/11 heroes – the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund – are set to shut down and stop providing medical care and compensation this Congress.

Last week, dozens of first responders and survivors reunited at Ground Zero to call on Congress to permanently extend the Zadroga Act.

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