9-11 Health

Legislation | Documents/Reports | Links | Press Releases

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).

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.