Nadler on President’s $25 million Pledge to 9-11 Workers: “Long overdue, but only a fraction of what’s needed.”

NEW YORK CITY - Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY-08), whose Congressional district includes Ground Zero and Lower Manhattan, issued the following statement today regarding President Bush’s proposal to spend $25 million to fund a Sept. 11-related health care program at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan and a related effort for New York City firefighters:

More than five years after the tragedy of September 11 took the lives of more than three thousand Americans, I’m deeply saddened that people today are still getting sick and dying from that tragic event.  While I’m gratified that President Bush has finally recognized the connection between September 11 and the illnesses affecting the first responders, workers and Lower Manhattan residents, I’m disappointed that he’s only asking Congress for $25 million – an amount that represents only a fraction of what is needed.

For years, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and I have been demanding the federal government to provide health care to those who were exposed to the toxic dust pollution created by the collapse of the Twin Towers.  Senator Clinton has called for $1.9 billion over several years to treat these victims, a proposal I fully support. For diagnosis and treatment each year, The Mount Sinai Medical Center’s estimated costs are $250 million – ten times what President Bush is proposing.  When the Democratic Congress considers the budget, I look forward to working with my colleagues to dramatically increase that figure and to ensure that adequate funds are appropriated.

Additionally, I’m very worried that Mount Sinai may still have to stop treatment of September 11 victims this summer.  In December, Bush Administration officials said that treatment programs currently receiving federal funding would have to be discontinued as early as the summer unless provided with another round of federal support. Since the President’s $25 million request is for the FY 2008 budget, the money won’t be available until October.  So how will Mount Sinai operate this summer?

It is also essential that our government adequately clean up the areas of the city that were contaminated following September 11. We know that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ignored the science in favor of political expediency.  And regarding the clean-up of Lower Manhattan, the EPA continues to ignore the recommendations of its own scientific experts.

The EPA’s latest plan, which is already underway, is not comprehensive and does nothing to protect people from harmful exposure to World Trade Center toxins.

Now that the President has finally acknowledged the environmental health problems caused by September 11 (a long overdue admission), I hope the Administration provides the amount of money that it will really cost to treat those who have become sick. And I call on the President and the EPA to develop a scientifically sound clean-up plan to ensure the safety of the thousands of people who continue to live, work and attend school in Lower Manhattan

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