911 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).
 

 

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.

Floor Consideration

12/22/2010 – HR 847, as passed Senate and House of Representatives

Final text, HR 847 (H.R.847 as passed by House & Senate)

Congressional Budget Office score (CBO Estimate of AINS)

Summary of key changes to final H.R. 847

Roll call of Final House Vote

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney’s statement on the House floor supporting passage 

 

09/29/10 – HR 847, as passed the House of Representatives

         Full text of HR 847, as passed the House of Representatives

 07/29/10 - HR 847, for floor consideration

Congressional Budget Office score

Congressional Research Service Summary

Full text of HR 847, for floor consideration

 

Markups of HR 847

 05/25/10 - Energy and Commerce full Committee markup

Summary of Manager's Amendment

Vote to approve HR 847, as amended

Energy and Commerce Committee Report on HR 847

03/16/10 - Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health markup 

Text of Manager's Amendment

Subcommittee Markup Action Sheet

Vote to approve HR 847, as amended

Health Subcommittee web page on markup

07/29/09 - Judiciary Committee markup of HR 847

Text of HR 847, as amended  

Vote to approve HR 847, as amended

Transcript of full markup (HR 847 starts on page 18)

Judiciary Committee Report on HR 847

Original Bill Text and Cosponsors 

Complete Text of H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health Compensation Act

List of Cosponsors of H.R. 847, the James Zadgroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act

Bill Summary and Background Information

1-pager on HR 847

Key Provisions in HR 847

Q&A on HR 847

Summary of H.R. 847 prepared by the Office of Rep. Maloney

CRS Section-by-Section Summary of HR 847 as considered on House floor

Background Memo on 9/11 Health and Compensation Issues

Studies on the Health Impacts of 9/11

 

Support Letters

AFL-CIO

American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)

Associated General Contractors (AGC)

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)

American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees

American Hospital Association

Bovis Lend Lease

Community Board 1 of the City of New York

Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association

National Association of Police Organizations

Detectives Endowment Association (NYPD)

Sergeants Benevolent Association (NYPD)

Lieutenants Benevolent Association (NYPD)

Captains Endowment Association (NYPD)

Port Authority of NY & NJ Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association

International Association of Fire Fighters

International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW)

Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA)

National Association of Counties (NACo)

National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO)

New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation

Plaza Construction Company

Sergeants Benevolent Association (NYPD)

Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD)

Tully Construction Company

Turner Construction Company

United States Conference of Mayors

WTC Rescuers Foundation

WTC Health Registry Enrollment by State and Congressional District

Enrollment in the WTC Health Registry as of September 2010 arranged by state and congressional district

Map of total enrollment in the WTC Health Registry as of September 2010 by state

Documents/Reports

9/11 Health Documents by Topic

  • Federal Hearings on 9/11 Health
  • GAO Reports on 9/11 Health
  • Studies on the Health Impacts of 9/11

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

11/30/10 – Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand send letter askingSenate colleagues to consider funding alternatives for 9/11 Health

11/23/10 – CRS Memo: Comparison of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 and Title II of H.R. 847

08/25/10 – CRS Memo: New York State Disaster Relief Medicaid Program Established After the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001

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

06/01/09 - Responsefrom the Office of Management and Budget on the WTC Health Programs

06/09/09 - New York Delegation letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius

04/03/09 - NY Delegation Letter to Appropriations Committee on WTC Health Programs

03/26/09 - Letterto Appropriations Committee on WTC Health Programs

03/26/09 - Letter to Office of Management and Budget on WTC Health Programs

10/27/08 - Cost estimate for HR 7174 from Congressional Budget Office

10/08/08 - Letter to NIOSH Acting Director Branche following up on briefing on the WTC National Responders Program

07/10/08 - Sens.Menendez and Lautenberg letter to Secretary Leavitt requestingreconsideration of the decision not to renew Dr. John Howard's term asthe Director of NIOSH

07/08 - NewYork Police Department unions letter requesting the Energy and CommerceCommittee consider H.R. 3543, the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act

05/09/08 - Letter to HHS Secretary Leavitt in response to Report to Congress

05/07/08 - HHS's Report to Congress on Providing Monitoring and Treatment to WTC Responders and others exposed to the toxins of Ground Zero

04/23/08 - Enrollment in the WTC Health Registry as of June 2007 arranged by state and congressional district

04/23/08 - Map of total enrollment in the WTC Health Registry as of June 2007 by state

04/23/08 - Map of rescue and recovery worker and volunteer enrollment in the WTC Health Registry as of June 2007 by state

04/07/08 - Letter to HHS Secretary Leavitt requesting release of federal funding for residents, area workers, students, and other non-responders

03/28/08 - Letter from Reps. Engel, Fossella, and Towns requesting Secretary Leavitt to follow-through with his agreement to meet with the New York congressional delegation on 9/11 health issues

03/26/08 - US Second Circuit Court appeals decision in World Trade Center site litigation

03/19/08 - Letter to Appropriators with FY2009 LHHS request

03/04/08 - Response letter from Secretary Peake of the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the quality of care provided to veterans made sick by the 9/11 terrorist attacks

04/23/08 - Map of rescue and recovery worker and volunteer enrollment in the WTC Health Registry as of June 2007 by state

02/26/08 - Letter from Office of Management and Budget Director in Response to letter to President Bush on FY09 Budget

01/23/08 - Letter to Secretary Leavitt of the Department of Labor Health and Human Services requesting documents regarding cancellation of a national health and pharmaceutical program for persons suffering from 9/11-related illnesses

12/15/07 - Letter to Secretary Leavitt of the Department of Labor Health and Human Services requesting an explanation of the decision to cancel the Request for Contracts for the WTC Business Processing Center

12/06/07 - Letter to Appropriators requesting a total of $236.2 million in FY08

11/07/07 - Letter to Mayor Bloomberg urging for a fully transparent procedure for determining 9/11-related deaths

10/30/07 - Response from Office of Management and Budget Director on FY09 Budget

10/24/07 - House Letter requesting $55 million and Senate residents language in FY08 LHHS conference

10/23/07 - Request for Contracts for WTC Business Processing Center issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

10/22/07 – Congressional Research Service Memo on Historic Role of the Federal Government in Disasters

10/15/07 – Press Clips of civilians aiding in Pearl Harbor Recovery

09/06/07 - Letter to Office of Management and Budget Director

 

06/15/07 - Bush Administration’s draft plan to treat and monitor ailing 9/11 responders

05/09/07 - Initial Map of WTC Health Registry Enrollment by State

04/27/07 - Letter requesting funding in LHHS Appropriations Bill

04/20/07 - Letter from Mayor Bloomberg to Appropriators in support of Delegation request

04/18/07 - Letter from New York Delegation to Chairman Obey requesting at least $50 million in Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill

04/16/07 - Letter to Chairman Obey requesting at least $50 million in Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill

03/16/07 - Letter requesting funding in the FY 2007 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Bill

09/07/06 - Response Letter from Dr. John Howard, Coordinator of US Department of Health and Human Services World Trade Center Programs

06/17/06 - Letter to Bush requesting meeting about Federal response to 9/11 Health Impacts

04/12/06 - Letter to 9/11 Health Coordinator Dr. John Howard

10/06/05 - Letter To HHS Regarding Medical Monitoring of 9/11 Federal Responders

09/09/05 - GAO Testimony – 9/11 Monitoring of WTC Health Effects Has Progressed, But Not For Federal Responders

08/25/05 - Letter To HHS and Dept. of Homeland Security Regarding Medical Monitoring of Federal Employees After 9/11

06/16/05 - Biographies of 9/11 Responders Participating in June 16 Effort in Washington, D.C. To Save $125 Million in 9/11 Aid

06/15/05 - Letter From Gov. Pataki To House Appropriations Committee Regarding Rescission

06/07/05 - Letter From Mayor Bloomberg To Senate Appropriations Committee Regarding Rescission of $125 Million in 9/11 Aid

06/07/05 - Letter From Mayor Bloomberg To House Appropriations Committee Regarding Rescission of $125 Million in 9/11 Aid

05/31/05 - Letter To House Appropriations Committee Regarding Rescission of 9/11 Funds

05/31/05 - Letter To President Bush Regarding Rescission of 9/11 Funds

02/02/05 - Letter To U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Regarding Health Impact of 9/11

01/02/05 - Analysis of Recent Medical Findings of Ongoing 9/11 Health Impacts

10/22/04 - Report On Project Liberty

09/08/04 - Transcript from Hearling "Assessing September 11 Health Effects: What should be done?" in Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security

09/08/04 - A Summary of Government Accountability Office Findings: "September 11: Health Effects in the Aftermath of the World Trade Center Attack" [Complete]

09/08/04 - A Summary of Government Accountability Office Findings: "September 11: Health Effects in the Aftermath of the World Trade Center Attack" [Brief]

09/08/04 - GAO Testimony on the Health Effects in the Aftermath of the WTC Attack

09/08/04 - Testimony of Micki Siegel de Hernandez Regarding “Assessing Sept. 11th Health Effects”

09/08/04 - Testimony of Dr. Stephen M. Levin Regarding 9/11 Health

09/08/04 - Testimony of Life Matters on the Mental Health Impact of 9/11

09/08/04 - Statement of Rep. Maloney At Govt. Reform Hearing on 9/11 Health Effects

09/08/04 - Testimony of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund on the Health Impacts of 9/11

09/08/04 - Testimony of the Uniformed Firefighters Association on Health Effects of 9/11

09/08/04 - Testimony of New York State Laborers on Health Effects of 9/11

09/08/04 - NIOSH Testimony on Assessing 9/11 Health Effects

09/08/04 - GAO Testimony on Federal Assistance for New York Workers’ Compensation Costs

09/08/04 - Statement of Rep. Shays at Govt. Reform Hearing on 9/11 Health Effects

04/28/04 - Letter From 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund Regarding Eligibility

03/29/04 - Summary of the Remember 9/11 Health Act

03/19/04 - Letter To Administrator of 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Regarding Health of 9/11 Responders

10/28/03 - Transcript from Hearing "Assessing September 11th Health Effects" in the Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security

06/10/03 - Letter To Salvation Army Regarding 9/11 Volunteers

06/10/03 - Letter To Dept. of Homeland Security Regarding 9/11 Volunteers

06/10/03 - Letter To Red Cross Regarding 9/11 Volunteers

06/10/03 - Letter To Gov. Pataki Regarding 9/11 Volunteers Seeking Workers’ Compensation Claims

06/03/03 - CRS Memo On Workers Compensation and Volunteers At the WTC Site

05/23/03 - Letter To Red Cross Regarding Assistance to 9/11 Volunteers

01/27/03 - Mount Sinai Press Release On Preliminary Findings of Medical Health Screening Program For WTC Site Responders

01/13/03 - Letter To President Bush Regarding Short and Long Term Health Effects of 9/11 Responders

12/10/02 - Letter To President Bush Regarding Funding For Health Care Monitoring for 9/11 Responders

09/30/02 - Letter To President Bush Regarding Funding for Medical Monitoring of 9/11 Responders

 

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

For information on the issue:

List of scientific reports on health impacts from the US Department of Health and Human Services

"9/11: The Forgotten Victims," the New York Daily News' Pulitzer Prize-winning series of editorials on the growing medical fallout from the World Trade Center attacks

World Trade Center Health Impacts on FDNY Rescue Workers: A Six Year Assessment: September 2001-September 2007

Addressing the Health Impacts of 9/11: Report and Recommendations to Mayor Bloomberg from the New York City World Trade Center Health Panel

World Trade Center Health Resources from the United States Department of Health and Human Services

World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health

Clinical Guidelines for Adults Exposed to the World Trade Center Disaster from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

 

More on 911 Health

Oct 8, 2014 In The News

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — The deadline is fast approaching for Ground Zero workers to register for theSept. 11 Victim Compensation Fund.

The last day to register is Oct. 14.

The fund  covers those already sick or anyone who fears they may become sick due to the toxic dust that lingered in the air over lower Manhattan following theSept. 11 terror attacks.

“We have to make sure that no one is left behind,” Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-Manhattan/Queens, told reporters Tuesday.

Oct 7, 2014 Press Release

NEW YORK— September 11th responders and survivors who were diagnosed with certain cancers prior to October 12, 2012 must register for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund by October 14, 2014 or become ineligible for the program’s benefits. To raise awareness of the crucial deadline, Representatives Carolyn B.

Sep 18, 2014 Newsletter
9/11 is one of those singular events in our nation’s history – seared forever into our collective memory by the shared pain of unbearable sorrow. It is a loss that leaves such an indelible mark – we knew the instant that it happened that we would all be changed forever. After 9/11, we said that we would ‘never forget.’ Not someday forget – not eventually forget – we vowed we would never forget.
Sep 17, 2014 Press Release

Lawmakers: ‘We Have a Moral Obligation to Continue to Provide the Care and Compensation That Our 9/11 Heroes, Survivors and Their Families Need and Deserve’

Sep 11, 2014 Press Release

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) today released the following statement on the 13th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks:

“Today marks the 13th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on America. 9/11 is one of those singular events in our nation’s history – that is seared forever into our collective memory by the shared pain of unbearable sorrow. It is a loss that leaves such an indelible mark – we knew in the instant that it happened that we would all be changed forever.

Sep 8, 2014 Press Release

As 13th Anniversary of 9/11 Nears, Critically Needed Health and Compensation Programs Passed Into Law After Almost Decade Long Fight Set to Expire Next Year – Participants in 9/11 Health Program Living in All 50 States and 431 of 435 Congressional Districts

Feb 14, 2014 Press Release

NEW YORK -- Reps. Carolyn B. Maloney, Jerrold Nadler, and Peter King, lead sponsors of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, today offered the following joint statement praising the WTC Health Program Cancer Interim Final Rule, which amends the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions (List) found in the WTC Health Program regulations, and results in four specific cancers -- brain, cervix uteri (invasive cervical cancer), pancreas, and testis-- becoming eligible for coverage as WTC-related health conditions.

“A dozen years later, we’re finding that a wide variety of illnesses can be attributed to the toxins released at Ground Zero. The addition of these cancer types to the list of covered conditions will help keep our promise to the 9/11 responders and survivors. We applaud the WTC Health Program’s interim final rule and share the WTC Health program’s commitment to caring for those who gave and lost so much in response to this national tragedy.”

Jan 2, 2014 Press Release

NEW YORK – U.S. Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), and Peter King (R-NY), authors of H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, today issued the following statement on the 3-year anniversary of the legislation being signed into law.

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